2023 Fall Retreat – Northeast Basketmakers Guild

The Northeast Basketmakers Guild is holding
its Fall Retreat on
Saturday, October 14, 2023

9 am to 3:30 pm
(Check-in begins at 8:30 am)

Trinity Church Fellowship Hall
23 Main Street, Northborough, Massachusetts

Join us as we come together once again for the NBG Fall Retreat! Weavers of all levels can choose from a varied selection of classes to learn new techniques and designs while spending a day weaving together.

Our new location for this year is conveniently located in central Massachusetts, close to Routes 290 and 495, making it easy to access from all directions in New England.

Plan to register early to get your choice of basket. Deadline for registration is September 18, 2023. Confirmation emails are sent when you register.

Registration is free for NBG members and only $10 per class for non-members. Children 16 and under who attend with an NBG member will not pay a registration fee (sign up for both classes under the NBG member’s account). Basket fees will be returned if notice is given before September 18. If a cancellation is received within 3 weeks of the retreat, the weaver may arrange postage fees with the teacher to receive the basket kit by mail. We encourage everyone to use the online registration and payment.

Payment

You can pay for your classes with a credit card through PayPal (you do not need to have a PayPal account) or you can make out a check to “NBG” and mail it to:

Stephanie Gage
93 Lakewood Drive
Belmont NH 03220

Teachers

We have four great teachers joining us for this event:

Ruth Boland
Lynn Goldberg
Kimberley Harding
Debra Rolfe

Things to Bring

The tools that are required for each class are listed with each class.
Brown Bag Lunch (limited refrigeration)

Northborough has a Cumberland Farms, Northborough House of Pizza, Main Street Pastries and More, Richdale Convenience Store, and CVS all within walking distance of the church if you need to pick up a drink, snack, or food during the Retreat. NBG will provide coffee, tea, and water, and we would encourage a few of you to bring some individually packaged snack items to share. Please contact Joanne if you would like to volunteer to bring snacks/drinks or if you would be willing to help with set up and clean up.

We will have some great door prizes, too! Feel free to contribute a door prize of your own.

Any questions, please email Joanne Miller (FallRetreat@northeastbasketmakers.org)

Schedule

Time
8:30 – 9:00	Registration
9:00- 3:30	Classes
12:00 – 12:30	Lunch Break

Marketplace

NBG members and Fall Retreat teachers are welcome to set up a table to exhibit or sell baskets, basket related items or basket supplies. Please let Joanne know if you plan to set up a table.

Class Skill Levels

When signing up for your classes, please be very careful about the skill levels and prerequisites listed for each class. We want you and your classmates to all have a good experience. If you are not sure if you are ready for a particular class, send us an email and we’ll help you to figure out if it will be a good fit for you.

As a general rule, follow this guide


First Basket	Weaver has never woven a basket before.
Beginner	Weaver has little or no experience with the materials being used for that project. For instance, if you are an intermediate reed weaver but have never worked with pine needles before, then consider yourself a beginner for a pine needle class.
Intermediate	Weaver is skilled at basic techniques with the materials being used.
Advanced	Weaver has mastered all of the basic skills and is ready to try new techniques, fibers, shaping, and creative methods.

Registration

NBG Members – please log into the website before adding your registration. You must have purchased a 2023 membership to sign up for the Fall Retreat. 2023 memberships begin on July 1, 2023, but can be purchased now. If you are purchasing a membership at the same time as you sign up for the Fall Retreat, please put the membership in the same cart as your Fall Retreat registration. Sign up for 2023 NBG Membership here.


Add to cart	2023 Fall Retreat Registration for NBG Members	Registration for the Fall Retreat is free for NBG members
Add to cart $10.00	2023 Fall Retreat Registration for Non-Members	Registration for the Fall Retreat Non-members can sign up starting on 6/11/23

2023 Fall Retreat Classes


Square Twill Tray with Ruth Boland	Intermediate Level Flat Reed $66.00 Saturday, October 14, 2023 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM Length: 10", Width: 10", Height: 3" Prerequisites: Twill experience The base of this tray has a striking pattern which is fun to weave. Students will learn how to lay out a twill base by either following the pattern or "seeing" the pattern. The sides can be challenging due to the short height, but we will get it done! Hints to make a rim "fit" will be provided. Students will choose from a variety of colors. Materials supplied: Natural and dyed reed, waxed linen, seagrass Tools needed: Bucket for water, two spoke weights, measuring tape, scissors, twelve 2" spring clamps, packer, eight clothes pins, 8-12 cable ties, one large-eyed blunt-end needle, spray bottle Buy here
Birch Bark Squirrel Ornament with Kimberley Harding	All Levels Birch Bark $51.00 Saturday, October 14, 2023 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM Length: 4.75", Height: 4.25" Prerequisites: No prerequisites, though familiarity with bias plaiting is a plus Weave an adorable squirrel ornament from birch bark for your holiday tree. Students will learn bias plaiting. Materials supplied: Birch bark strips, waxed linen thread, ribbon, glue, markers Tools needed: Scissors, ruler, micro clips (if you already have them) , narrow packing tool, craft knife Buy here
Chicklet – Mini Egg Basket with Lynn Goldberg	All Levels Flat Reed ⋅ Round Reed $50.00 Saturday, October 14, 2023 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM Diameter: 6 ", Height: 7" Prerequisites: Students will be able to learn all the techniques during the class. Traditional hen basket design is done on a 6" hoop. Materials supplied: 6" hoop, two round reed side hoops, #5 round reed for ribs, flat/oval reed for weaving Tools needed: Awl, packer, scissors, spray bottle, small bucket for soaking reed Buy here
Round Reed Double Wall Basket with Debra Rolfe	Intermediate Level Round Reed $41.00 Saturday, October 14, 2023 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM Diameter: 5 - 6", Height: 2" Prerequisites: Round reed experience. Adept at twining and basic round reed borders Using space dyed reed for the spokes gives this round reed basket a pop of color. Double wall construction makes for a very sturdy basket. Students will weave the inside wall, then using a rolled border to turn the spokes, weave the outer wall. Basket will be finished with a foot using another rolled border. Weaving techniques include tying a slath, Japanese weave, hidden join, twining, 3 and 4 row rolled border, and a few tricks so no joins are detected. Depending on skill level, students may be able to start or complete a second basket. Please bring $15 in cash to give to Debra if you want to make a second basket. Materials supplied: #3 space dyed round reed, #1 and #2 round reed Tools needed: Cutters, round awl, flat awl, needle nose pliers, spray bottle, basin or bucket Buy here

Accommodations Nearby

Hampton Inn Boston/Marlborough
277 Boston Post Rd W, Marlborough, MA 01752 • (508) 787-9888
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/boshhhx-hampton-boston-marlborough
3 miles from Retreat

Homewood Suites by Hilton Boston Marlborough
60 River Road West, Berlin, MA 01503 • (978) 838-9940
https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/bosmlhw-homewood-suites-boston-marlborough
3 miles from Retreat

Holiday Inn & Suites Marlborough, an IHG Hotel
265 Lakeside Ave, Marlborough, MA 01752 • (508) 481-3000
https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/marlborough
4 miles from Retreat

The Northeast Basketmakers Guild is holding its Fall Retreat on Saturday, October 14, 2023

9 am to 3:30 pm(Check-in begins at 8:30 am)

Trinity Church Fellowship Hall23 Main Street, Northborough, Massachusetts