#251 Autumn 2014

Discover why and how spinner Gemma Musson spins acrylic fibre.
Rare lotus fibre is extracted from the plant’s stems: find out how it’s spun into yarn and made into cloth as you journey with Cia Bosanquet through Myanmar’s traditional textiles.
Dyer Irene Taylder writes about the rainbow of colour that she and fellow mycologists create from colour-rich fungi.
Sandi Toksvig talks to the Journal about her love of weaving.
Learning from others can cut years off a learning curve, by gaining skills to weave a good weft-faced rug, starting a weaving class or working through a challenging commission. Experienced rug weaver Jason Collingwood shares tips for weaving a well-executed rug. Val Conway details setting up a weaving class and Martin Weatherhead explains how he faced up to recreating a nightmare Dr Who tweed!
Reports, reviews and images from the Association’s 2014 Spring Conference, AGM and National Exhibition reflect the work and creativity that went into making them a success. Planning for Summer School 2015 has started, convener Chris Pegler gives us a taste of what to expect.