Des Moines Weavers and Spinners Guild

09/02/2026

Guild Meetings Are Back! 🎉

Our first guild meeting of the 2026–2027 year is coming up on September 12th at 9:30 AM at the Franklin Event Center!

We’re excited to kick off another year of weaving, spinning, learning, and fiber fun together, and we hope you’ll join us!

If you haven't renewed your membership yet, take a few minutes this afternoon and visit www.desmoinesweaversguild.org/about/membership

See you soon, Fiber Friends!

08/31/2026

Back by popular demand… Weave Your Own Rug!

One of our most highly requested classes from last year is returning, and we’re ready to get weaving! This beginner friendly class is the perfect chance to try your hand at rug weaving and create your very own rug from start to finish. How fun is that?!

We have two sessions, but spots are almost gone! The October 11th session has just 1 spot left, and the October 22nd session has only 3 spots remaining.

So if weaving a rug has been on your “I’ve always wanted to try that!” list, this is your sign. 😉

Grab your spot before they’re gone! Sign up here: https://www.desmoinesweaversguild.org/learn/classes

08/27/2026

𝐇𝐞𝐲 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬!

Have you taken a Navajo style weaving class but need a refresher on getting started? Or do you have a piece you’d like to finish with a little company along the way?

Join us for four Sunday afternoons in September. We’ll review warping a Navajo loom and basic weaving techniques, then spend time working on our own projects and weaving together.

Cherie Maxson and Diane Hickman will be there to offer support and answer questions.

𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬, 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟔, 𝟏𝟑, 𝟐𝟎 & 𝟐𝟕
𝟐:𝟎𝟎–𝟒:𝟎𝟎 𝐏𝐌
𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬

This is intended for those with prior Navajo style weaving experience or who have taken a Navajo style weaving class. Bring your own loom and materials and register at: https://www.desmoinesweaversguild.org/learn/lectures-weave-alongs

We hope you’ll join us for some relaxed weaving time together!

08/26/2026

Ready to take your weaving to the next level? We’re excited to offer a new opportunity through the Des Moines Weavers and Spinners Guild! Join Liz Whiteside for a fun, beginner friendly 9-month journey into tapestry weaving and color blending. This class is open to all weavers, and we’re looking forward to learning and exploring together!

You’ll get 35+ hours of video lessons for life, downloadable designs, step-by-step instruction, group meetups, and access to Liz for questions and feedback. Explore seascapes, abstract designs, color gradients, four selvedge weaving, and so much more!

𝐖𝐞’𝐥𝐥 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐠𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐚𝐫𝐧 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫, 𝐏𝐋𝐔𝐒 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟖" 𝐌𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐱 𝐂𝐡𝐥𝐨𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐦𝐬!

Come weave, learn, experiment, and have fun with us! Sign up at https://www.desmoinesweaversguild.org/learn/classes

08/18/2026

𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞’𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮! 🎉

Our classes are open to members and the public, giving everyone a chance to learn new skills, try something new, and get inspired. But did you know our Education & Program Committee has been busy creating special Weave-Alongs and Lecture opportunities exclusively for Guild Members?!

We’ve added a brand new subpage this year dedicated to all the Weave-Alongs and special Lectures happening throughout the upcoming Guild Year!

If you’re a Guild Member and love weaving, learning, and/or connecting with fellow members, be sure to check it out, and register for the fun! 🎉

👉 www.desmoinesweaversguild.org/learn/lectures-weave-alongs

08/16/2026

You’ve had a few days to look through the impressive fall class lineup, and what a great collection of classes it is, thanks to so many talented guild members sharing their skills and knowledge!

Classes are starting to fill, so we’ll be highlighting a few that still have room like the 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐙𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐰𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐧 that has just 𝟒 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐬 𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭.

In this class, Sue will teach you techniques for working with the unique challenges of handwoven and ravel-y fabrics while making a zipper pouch. This class will focus on seam stabilization before and during construction, along with exploring lining and stiffening options. You’ll also create samples to keep for reference on future projects.

A great class for anyone ready to take some of their handwoven off the loom and into a sewn project!

𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐙𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐰𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐧
𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟒 | 𝟏𝟎:𝟑𝟎 𝐀𝐌–𝟐:𝟑𝟎 𝐏𝐌
𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐬𝐞𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝
𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝟒 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧!

See the full class lineup and register at www.desmoinesweaversguild.org/learn/classes

08/14/2026

Another great reason to visit the Iowa State Fair! Our guild member, Ellen, from the Perry Twisted Sunset Sisters Fiber Mill will be giving a talk tomorrow (Saturday.)

If you'll be attending the (amazing!) Iowa State Fair, Ellen will be giving a talk at the Maytag Theaters from 4pm to 5pm tomorrow (Saturday, August 14th) on what it's like working a fiber mill in partnership with the (equally amazing) Choose Iowa education program! Check out our event description below!

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Beyond the Fleece: An Inside Look at an Iowa Fiber Mill
Located in Perry, Iowa, Twisted Sunset Sisters Fiber Mill is a woman-owned small business dedicated to processing natural fiber from small to large scale farms into high-quality yarn and fiber products. Co-owners Ellen Hartstack and Savannah Scheufler are passionate about supporting Iowa agriculture and connecting communities to the story behind their fiber. Join them to learn more about how they process fibers like wool, alpaca, angora, mohair, and more.

This family-friendly presentation features a virtual tour of our Iowa fiber mill, walking you through every step of the transformation from raw fleece to finished yarn. You'll discover how raw fleeces are prepared for processing, how the fiber is washed and the locks are opened for spinning, and see it twisted into beautiful, ready-for-market yarn. We'll also discuss alternative products beyond yarn including roving, wool pellets, and more. Whether you're a curious fairgoer, a fiber arts enthusiast, a farmer exploring new revenue streams, or simply someone who loves learning where everyday materials come from, this presentation has something for everyone.

08/14/2026

It’s Iowa State Fair time!

Did you know our guild members will be spending every day during the Iowa State Fair in the Blue Ribbon Quilt Room, demonstrating their skills from 9 AM to 4 PM?

Here are a few photos, courtesy of one of our newest guild members, Erica Lueder, who stopped by to visit our guild president, Lynda, and caught her weaving away!

Be sure to stop by the Blue Ribbon Quilt Room, say hello, and watch our talented guild members in action. We’d love to see you!

08/13/2026

Fall class registration is now OPEN with the Des Moines Weavers Guild!

Ready to learn something new this fall? From Beginning Spinning on a Wheel and Weaving Your Own Rug to Getting Started with Woolly Washing and The Art & Science of Acid Dyeing, we have lots of beginner and intermediate classes to choose from.

Come learn, create, and connect with fellow fiber enthusiasts!

Details and registration: desmoinesweaversguild.org/learn/classes

Find a class and get inspired this fall!

08/03/2026

A couple of our guild members took this class, can you find them?