spits summer - the Hawkesbury Blue Mountains Alpaca Region

Spits & Pieces
Proposal For Workshops Sponsored By The Hand
Weavers & Spinners Guild of NSW INC.
It is suggested the Hawkesbury-Blue Mountains Region of the AAA members might like to sponsor
the following workshops offered by the Guild.
Saturday 9:30 – 12:30
PREPARATION PRIOR TO SHEARING & PRESENTATION OF FLEECE Discussion of
objectives and practical demonstration on animal/s. Looking at presenting skirted fleece with a
minimum of v.m., sand/silt, double cuts, etc. sorted into Saddle and Neck/Legs/Bellies to a
standard acceptable to a hand spinner. Also, if for private sale, importance of presentation and
labeling to Department of Fair Trading standards.
1:30 – 4:30
PREPARATION FOR HAND SPINNING – Sorting, carding (hand & drum), p r o p o r t i o n a l
blending with other fibres.
Sunday 9:30 – 4:00
HAND SPINNING ALPACA. Proportional blending with other fibres, plying with other fibres.
Spinning designer yarns with alpaca - e.g. slub, boucle, knopp, plying with lurex or tencel.
Spinning to a commercial thickness such as 5 ply, 8 ply. Recommended knitting tension and tips
to prevent garment “dropping.” Dept of Fair Trad requirements for labeling garments for sale.
This workshop would be aimed at hand spinners who already know the basics such as how to
handcard, spin and ply, but want to explore more in depth techniques and to enhance their
alpaca fibre for pleasure or profit. Participants would need their own spinning wheel and
preferably carders. The Guild can offer accredited tutors who are experienced in teaching.
Workshops would need a minimum of 8 people (up to 14) to be financially viable as the fee for a
Tutor with appropriate qualifications would be $300 per day, plus travel reimbursement and the
admin fee for the weekend – payable to the Guild – would be $50 per day.
With 8 participants a full day workshop could be priced at $55 per person, plus any admin
expenses the Alpaca Assn needed to recoup, which should cover the fees comfortably. The Guild
is not registered for GST. Payment for tutors would be required at the end of the day. It would
be necessary for the Alpaca Association to carry public risk insurance for participants and it
would be pleasant if tea/coffee and possibly BBQ facilities were available. It would also be
necessary for the Association to advertise the workshops (prototype flyer would be provided) and
handle bookings and collection of fees.
At this stage, if the Association would like to proceed, we would need to see what weekends
would suit the potential tutors and when the facilities would be available at Hawkesbury
Showground. November seems a good month, although “The Land” Small Farms Expo is on the
2 nd weekend.
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