Fine Fiber Press & Studio

Fine Fiber Press & Studio is on Facebook!

2011-01-12T09:43:00.001-08:00

Yes, we have a Facebook presence! When you open your Facebook page, just type in our name in the search box (Fine Fiber Press & Studio). It would be great if you "liked" us!

New Tapestry Bobbins

2011-01-12T09:32:00.000-08:00

We have two new bobbins. The "Fairy" is a lighter weight, small bobbin (approx. 3.75 inches long) with a large bulb. This makes the bobbin easier to hold for people with arthritic hands. The "Petite" is a small bobbin, similar to the Swedish-style bobbin, but smaller, about 3.5 inches. They are great for adults with small hands or children. See photo of these bobbins below compared to the other bobbins we sell. Retail: $6 each plus shipping and handling. Wholesale: $4.00 each for 20 or more plus s/h. Fine Fiber Press & Studio: Tapestry Miscellaneous Equipment Web Page

The Petite and the Fairy bobbins are shown at the left side of the photo. For a larger photo, go to the website listed above.

So Warped is well received.

2011-01-12T09:30:00.001-08:00

Kathe's new book "So Warped, Warping a Loom for Weaving Tapestry" was published at the end of May, 2010. People seem to really like the book and it is getting great reviews. Check it out: http://members.peak.org/~spark/FineFiberBooks_Tapestry.html

So Warped Book Cover

2010-03-16T18:05:00.000-07:00

Here is a view of the cover for the new book from Fine Fiber Press. So Warped, Warping a Loom for Weaving Tapestry.

This is a sample page from the book.

New Book from Fine Fiber Press in Final Stages

2010-03-16T00:34:00.000-07:00

Our latest book will be available by early May. (If all goes well with the powers that watch over printing presses!) We are offering a pre-publication special of $32 plus $5.00 shipping and handling. Kathe and Pat will autograph these copies when they are available. This special price is only offered through Fine Fiber Press and is only available until April 30, 2010. After that time, the price will be $35.00 plus $5.00 s/h. There are discount quantity prices available for vendors. Order from Fine Fiber Press and Studio, 604 1st Avenue East; Albany, Oregon 97321 USA phone 1-541-917-3251 email: finefiberpress@comcast.net

Here is some information on the book:
So Warped, Warping a Loom for Weaving Tapestry by Kathe Todd-Hooker and Pat Spark

After many years of teaching tapestry and weaving, the authors realize that it is sometimes the warping process that stops a weaver dead in her/his tracks. Traditional weavers often have horror stories about their warping experiences and while many tapestry weavers do not have a background in traditional weaving, they too often see the process as impossibly difficult. In this book we are covering as many warping methods and hints as our combined 60 years of experience have taught us. We have learned these methods through much trial and error. We are certain there are other ways of doing things, but we have hit upon the methods that work well for us and for our students.

To help understand warping, we present different types of tapestry looms, various tensioning and shedding mechanisms including several types of heddles, and the following warping methods: figure eight, circular, bout, four-selvedge, floor loom, and as an added treat, the method of warping the Russian Old Believer backstrap loom for weaving tapestry belts. There are 110 pages of information for warping your loom so you can weave tapestry. If you aren’t warped before you read this book, So Warped will really help you get there.

New Book Almost Done!!!

2010-03-05T11:36:00.000-08:00

Rough Draft of Book is Finished!!!!

Yesterday at 5: PM, I finally finished the rough draft of the new book from Fine Fiber Press. It is called So Warped: Warping a Loom for Weaving Tapestry. It is 110 pages of fact filled information. The good thing about having had the surgery on my foot is that I have been pretty much tied to my computer, 8-12 hours a day. This forced down-time has given me the impetus to get this done. Kathe and I wrote the book together, I illustrated it and did the layout. Now I have to finish the cover so we can post it for folks to see.

Of course, as I was going through the first chapter last night, I found about 20 typos. At least now the book itself is done, and we are at the editing and corrections stage. We are hoping to have it ready for Convergence this summer. Pat

New products at Fine Fiber Press

2008-07-09T15:51:00.000-07:00

Kathe and Pat are excited with the two new products for tapestry weavers that we are now selling. 1. Grattoirs and 2. English-style bobbins.

GRATTOIRS

We have finally found a metal worker with the skill and the will to create grattoirs for us. Grattoirs are the French version of the comb used to push the weft into position for tapestry. A grattoir will place the weft with enough slack (bubble) that it will easily cover the warp. It is used in conjunction with the beater, not to replace it. We have found a talented machinist to make these grattoirs for us out of stainless steel. We have them available in two sizes, three tooth spacings and two surface finishes. Kathe has found that she likes the feel of the textured finish. Each size and tooth can be ordered in either finish, but you must allow extra time for the manufacturing.

Small Grattoir is 3mm (1 3/16th inch) across at its widest point. It tapers for ease of holding. Length is 7.5 mm (2 15/16th inch).
Fine Tooth = 10 spaces in 3 mm (10 spaces in 1 3/16th inch) (textured stainless steel)
Medium Tooth= 5 spaces in 3 mm (5 spaces in 1 3/16th inch) (polished stainless steel)
Large Grattoir is 5.5 mm (2 3/16th inch) across at its widest point. It tapers for ease of holding. Length is 7.5 mm (2 15/16th inch). Large Tooth = 5 spaces in 5.5 mm (5 spaces in 2 3/16th inch). Small $10 retail plus shipping and handling Large $20 retail plus shipping and handling. No wholesale at this time.

ENGLISH-STYLE BOBBINS

Do to a misunderstanding with the wood turner we have making our Swedish-style bobbins, we have a few of these English-style bobbins in two sizes. We will probably not be carrying them after this batch is sold out.

Medium bobbin = 5 ¼ inches long, thread shank is 2 ¹/₈ inches long.
Large bobbin = 6 ½ inches long, thread shank is 2 ³/₄ inches long.

Price retail $5.50 each Wholesale: $4.00 each for 20 or more plus s/h.

To order any of these new products, go to: http://www.peak.org/~spark/FineFiberPressPaymentPolicies.html Or see link at left.

2008-05-29T12:58:00.000-07:00

FINE FIBER PRESS AND STUDIO
OPEN HOUSE

Saturday and Sunday -June 7 and 8, 2008

We are having a special event as part of our usual Oregon Crafted weekend-The NEW WALL Celebration! As you might know, the studio was once a two story garage. The previous owner had turned the down stairs into a woodworking studio, but had left the garage door. When we moved in, we cleaned up the sawdust (actually we’re still doing that), insulated and finished the upstairs and began to write/ publish books and do our studio work in our new space.

Eventually, we discovered that the garage door was drafty and actually looked as though it was going to fall in. Thus, the NEW WALL was born! This wonderful wall is sturdy, well insulated and has WINDOWS! A great boon to studio artists. Imagine, now we can actually see what we’re doing with natural light!

Come celebrate with us. We will have a special pottery sale, crafts demonstrations, and door prizes awarded each day. We are located at 101 SW Jefferson Street in Albany, Oregon. This is one building in from the corner of 1st and Jefferson, on the east side of the street. Look for the banners and Oregon Crafted sign. Our studio is only open to the public on the first full weekend of the month as part of the Oregon Crafted Studio Tours. The usual hours are 12-5, but check the schedule for this event, since the hours will be slightly different. BTW, Fine Fiber Studio is open other times by appointment only. You can call for an appointment: 1-541-917-3251

Saturday, June 7 Schedule
10:00 Pre-sale of older inventory and seconds – JKS Pottery.
12:00 Official Open House begins
JKS Pottery, new inventory
Felted Scarves by Pat Spark
Tapestries by Kathe Todd-Hooker
Felted Wall Hangings by Pat Spark
Wire Wrapped Jewelry by Lisa Clare
Sheep Collectibles
Tapestry Equipment and Materials
Feltmaking Equipment and Materials
1:00-4:00 Demonstrations
Pictorial Needlefelting with Pat Spark
Tapestry 101 – Starting to Weave Tapestry with Kathe Todd-Hooker
2:30 Door Prize Drawing
3:00-5:00 Demonstrations
The Handbuilt Flower Pot with John Stahl

Sunday, June 8 Schedule
12:00-4:00 Demonstrations
Felt a Scarf by Pat Spark
12:00-2:00 Demonstrations
The Beaded Bracelet by Kathe Todd-Hooker
Wire Wrapping by Lisa Clare
2:00 Door Prize Drawing
2:30-5:00 Demonstrations
Tapestry on a Large Loom by Kathe Todd-Hooker