• Meeting details
• Editor's Notes
• Fiber Events Beyond the Flock
• Rentals & programs
• Ways to get involved
• Advertisement
• Just for a Stitch!
• Board and Leadership

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📍 August Meeting

📅 August 9th, 2026
📌 Senior Center
500 Washington Street, Chelsea MI 48118
🕚 10:00am–2:00pm (doors open 9:45)

📅 Upcoming Meeting Schedule

Washington Street Education Center
(Senior Center Building)
Meeting times: 10am–2pm (doors open 9:45am)

• 2026: September - December
  500 Washington Street, Chelsea, MI 48118

Editor's Note:

The garage sale was good and the Freebie table equally good! Photos posted below. Also saw a member using the hackle technique; its great to see it in person. We have so much expertise in our club and its a treat to see in action. Hmm. I'm hoping for a Hackle class. How about you?

August has come and gooooone! Thinking of fall and winter activities and next year's hopes and wishes. I posted information on an August 2027 class I saw advertised on an Indigofest. I have entered information on it later in the newsletter. Time to plan. Dream big!

P.S. I included a natural dye recipe in the "Just for a Stitch" section. Enjoy.

August 9th Meeting Minutes

Meeting Date: 8/9/26

Meeting called to order by Karen Armbruster (24) at 11:40 AM.

There were 29 members present and three guests: Lisa Cotter from Matoon, Illinois and a former SF member, Donna Wilson (Arizona - mom of Christine Medina-Wilson (803) and Garrett accompanying a member.

If you need a Nametag please see Joanne Scollard (942). Patty Jo Yoder (450) will leave the Nametags by the sign-in sheet. Please WEAR your badge when you come to the meetings and remember to sign in.

Approval of July's meeting minutes by Michelle Rouleau (1129) and seconded by Becky Keiser (1044). Meeting minutes approved unanimously by members.

Garage sale took place today.

Treasury reports for June and July were made by Becky Keiser and both printed within newsletter. Monies coming via website will be reported in future reports.

Old rental prices were reported in the July newsletter, and current prices replace old in this issue. Small amount of fiber available to beginner spinners in learning circle now available. Additional fiber can be purchased through the rental group. Rentals must be returned by 10 am and equipment will be available to rent after the business meeting at 12:30 PM.

Freebie Table

No new news to discuss.

At the Saline Fair, September 2-6, Joanne Scollard (942) will be demonstrating and welcomes members to contact her to carpool.

Remember to take Spinners Flock Sale flyers when you go out to demonstrate or travel. Applications for vendor sales in November and February are now available.

Motion to adjourn at 12:04 PM, 1st Rebecca Keiser (1044) and 2nd by Joanne Scollard (942).

$ Treasury Report

🪧 For Sale - August 2026:

Judith Grabemeyer (1179 )

Spinning Wheel for sale. Rick Reeves signed solid oak with 19" drive wheel, double banded, 3 bobbins & distaff.  Used in good condition. $500. If interested, please contact June Grabemeyer at 269-214-4781 or jcgrabemeyer@gmail.com

Equipment, Tools, & Fiber Animals for Sale

To run a free ad in the newsletter and/or promotions site in the Spinners Flock website you must be a PAID member. The sale should be announced by the person at a meeting and will be listed in the subsequent month's newsletter.

The ad can also be placed in the promotions section of the website. Please see Candace Clark.

Item should be fiber related and even can be an animal. Include the following information:

Item name and description (model number)

Price.

Please include a photograph.

🛠️ Equipment for Rent

See Equipment Wranglers for rental terms of agreement.

Wheels - $20 rental

• Lendrum DT
• Louet S-10 DT
• Louet S-15
• Louet S-70
• Louet S-96

Drum Carders - $20 rental

• Green
• Red
• Chain Driven
• New Drum Carder

Blending Board - $10 rental

Hand Carders & Combs - $4 rental

Drop Spindles - $4 rental

Large Ball Winder
(Not for rent, but available during meetings)

Rental Agreement Terms can be viewed at rental trailer.

It is the responsibility of persons renting equipment to get that equipment back at the follow meeting by 10am so that it is available for use in the learners circle. Anyone needing something from the trailer should ask an equipment wrangler for assistance. Rental will be available after the business meeting. Always return the item in the same condition you received it. So plan to spend some time to remove all the fiber and bits from the carding machine or combs. The next user will appreciate it! Tip: If there are a lot of tools for the equipment ie. spinning wheel or carding machine, take a photo on your phone of the contents when you first use it and compare when you pack it up to return. I used to be an equipment wrangler so I know they will appreciate your clean up and consideration. Thank you.

📚 Program Notes

All programs will take place after the monthly meeting.

We do not have a class or presentation scheduled for September. If you have something you would be able to share, with the group, please let us know.

In the October meeting, there will be a needle felting class.

🧶 Fiber Events Beyond the Flock

Recently listed will have an emoji next to it.

September 2 - 6 Saline Community Fair Website: SalineFair.org.

September 6^th 12-2pm. Washtenaw County demonstration opportunity, free entry into the fair, contact Joann if interested Michigan State Fair.

September 19-20 Wool Gathering, Yellow Springs, OH

September 26-27 Northern MI Fiber Festival, Alpena, MI, nmfiberfestival@gmail.com

October 1-2 Millapolooza Event, Junction Fiber Mill & Savage Hart Farm, Vermont

October 3-4 Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival, Tunbridge Fairgrounds, 1 Fairground Lane, Tunbridge, VT

October 18-19 New York State Sheep and Wool Festival, Rhinebeck,N.Y. sheepandwool.com

April 12-25, 2027 Nadine Sanders 2027 Scotland tour
Great tour of Scotland with Nadine 2027 Threads, Ruins and Tunes.singingweaver.com This is her last tour.

😘Indigofest Retreat '27 8th Annual - Seaview, Washington. Historic Sou'Wester Lodge and Resort. August 2-6, 2027. Covered in the course are use of Fresh Indigo plants to dye extraction to vat creation, care, and resist techniques. indigofest.org northcoastindigo@gmail.com Lodging: marysouwester@gmail.com.💕

🌱 Opportunities to Share & Learn

Volunteer & Demonstration Opportunities

Recently listed will have an emoji next to it.

• Knit Michigan — Knit hats for cancer patients
  https://knitmichigan.org/patterns/
• Loose Ends — Finish craft projects for families
  https://looseends.org
• Michigan State Fair in Novi - September 3–7 at the Suburban Collection Showplace. Linda Koeppel (44) will have free passes at the August meeting for anyone who wants to demonstrate spinning. 
• Gail Swenson, Director of Merchant Barn from the Saline Community Fair asks for volunteers at their 90th Fair on September 2 - 6,2026 to demonstrate spinning for 2 hours. She mentions that the volunteer can sell some of their products at the fair. Please keep the amount small as it will be next to you on stage. Anyone wishing to sell can apply for merchant barn space at scfmerchant@gmail.com, phone 734-417-2927. Website: SalineFair.org.
• Sutherland-Wilson Farmhouse (Ann Arbor)
  FREE opportunity to sell while demonstrating fiber skills
  Contact: smcdowellGlass@gmail.com
  Website: pittsfieldhistory.org
• Waterloo Farm Museum (Grass Lake, MI)
  http://www.waterloofarmmuseum.org/

Expand Your Skills

Recently listed will have an emoji next to it.

• Artisan Knitworks
  105 N. Main Street, Chelsea
• Gate House Fiber Arts
  2400 Fausett Road, HowellSpun in Ann Arbor (our member, Carol U., teaches here)
  410 N 4th Ave, Ann Arbor
• Ida Library Crankers
  1st Monday monthly – Ida Library, 3016 Lewis A
• Lansing Area Spinners & Fiber Family
  3rd Saturday monthlyve
• MI Craft House
  516 Grand River Ave., Howell

Share Your Skills

• Knit Michigan
  Help bring comfort to cancer patients by making soft, cozy hats. Patterns are free, and every stitch makes a difference.
  Free patterns: https://knitmichigan.org/patterns/
• Loose Ends Project
  Join a caring community of crafters who finish projects left behind by loved ones. A touching way to use your skills to support grieving families.
  https://looseends.org
• Sutherland-Wilson Farmhouse (Ann Arbor)
  Free opportunity to demonstrate your fiber craft — spinning, weaving, tatting, felting, and more — and sell your work at no cost.
  A fantastic chance to gain confidence, connect with the public, and support a local historic site.
  Contact: smcdowellGlass@gmail.com • info@pittsfieldhistory.org
  Website: https://pittsfieldhistory.org
• Waterloo Farm Museum
  Share traditional fiber skills in a warm, historic setting. A wonderful way to inspire others while keeping old traditions alive.
  13493 Waterloo Munith Rd, Grass Lake, MI
  http://www.waterloofarmmuseum.org/

💬 Stay Connected Between Meetings!

Alex set up a Spinners Flock GroupMe for us to chat, share projects, ask questions, and enjoy all the fibery conversations.
It’s a friendly, active space — we’d love to see you there!

👉 Join us here: https://groupme.com/join_group/100791572/LwJWrPOh

😁Just for a Stitch!

Cooler months brings me to memories of past natural dying sessions. Time to use the onion skins, marigolds or Avocado skins and pits you've been saving up! You can get onionskins from grocery store. Just ask if you can clean out the onion bin. Or take a dye class at a festival or plan special vacation next year.

Some dye fabric, yarn or fibers first before spinning it to yarn. I like to try a lot of methods and variations.

Generic Dying method: Many variations and recipes exist:

Onion skin Recipe: (for pre-mordanted protein fiber, rinsed of excess mordant)

Onion skins (ratio 100 to 200% dry weight of fiber)

Cover and bring to a boil. Lower to a simmer for 45 to 60 minutes. Cool and then drain onionskin water to the dye pot. Add enough warm water to allow free movement of fiber, fabric or yarn below water. Wet the item, soak for maybe 20 minutes if fiber or yarn and add to the dyebath. Bring slowly to almost a boil for over 20 to 30 minutes. Simmer at least 30 to 60 minutes. Gently turn item (prevents felting) to allow even dye coverage. Check for desired dye saturation. Looks darker when wet. Take out item and allow to cool slowly (prevents felting). Rinse room temperature water (never temperature shock or fiber will felt) and gently squeeze out (never wring yarn or fiber). Can wash with neutral pH soap to remove excess an unbound dye molecules. Allow to dry.

There are many alternative steps to natural dying. Explore and have fun.

📇 Board & Leadership

We still need a volunteer to handle the Social Media position!

President: Karen Armbruster – president@spinnersflock.com
Vice President: Rebecca Herman – vp@spinnersflock.com
Treasurer: Rebecca Keiser – treasurer@spinnersflock.com
Membership: Joanne Scollard – membership@spinnersflock.com
Equipment Rentals: Judy Ramsey, Rachel Stanley, Carol Buis
Learner’s Circle: Deb Anderson & Candace Clark
Secretary & Newsletter: Deb Foti - newsletter@spinnersflock.com 👉Social Media: Need Volunteer – newsletter@spinnersflock.com Promotions: Cheryl Horak - newsletter@spinnersflock.com
Greeter: Lee Miller
Website: Candace Clark
Nametags: Patty Jo Yoder – nametags@spinnersflock.com

📫 Spinners Flock
PO Box 41
Chelsea, MI 48118