Home to Montana Association of Weavers and Spinners

All-Star Cast of Instructors

Fine art and craft coalesce at Mary Zicafoose’s loom. Her signature use of archetypal symbols in large, saturated fields of color has attracted collectors from across the country and around the world. As a public speaker, she has become a noted source of inspiration to fiber artists searching for validity in a rapidly changing world.

Cass Schorsch has been teaching the art of bark basketry for 20 years throughout the United States, Canada, South America and Australia. Her work is in the permanent collection of the Michigan State Museum, and has been exhibited at SOFA, Chicago, and the Boston Arts & Craft Society as well as in numerous other basketry exhibits. She harvests and hand prepares all of her teaching materials.

After learning to spin over twenty years ago, Patsy Zawistoski earned her Certificate of Excellence in Handspinning from the Handweavers Guild of America in 1985, plus a Master’s Certificate for her study, “Spinning Novelty Yarns for Use as Warp,” in 1987. Her spinning students have fondly nicknamed her, “Most Excellent Spinning Guru.calm”!

Joanne Hall began weaving in the late 1960’s on a back strap loom, and went on to earn her masters degree in Textile Design. She teaches weaving both internationally and in her Helena studio. She is noted for her diagnostic savvy regarding misbehaving looms.

A Montana native, Marilyn Pattee is a production knitter who sells her work both locally and internationally. Marilyn was practically born knitting! She also teaches knitting at the Yarn Shop in Bozeman.

Jo Anne Setzer teaches beginning weaving in her barn studio that is full of looms of every size and description! She handily “carries the weaving torch” in south central Montana.

Judie Overbeek of Kalispell began weaving 25 years ago and then learned to spin while she was living in Australia. Judie is noted for her unique, handspun yarns which take the starring roles in her fiber work.

Terri McKenna began making baskets over 20 years ago, taking her first basket weaving class from a member of the Bozeman Weaver's Guild. Through the years, she has taught many adults and children how to weave baskets, both simple and complex. She also enjoys embellishing gourds and making gourdskets.

Self-taught basketmaker Margie Reck is still captivated by the craft after 20 years. She deftly incorporates native materials, found near her ranch home just east of Yellowstone Park, into her distinct work. Her creations can be found in galleries and private collections across the United States.

Canadian JoAnne Ryeburn has a fascination with controlling the performance of dyes in order to create unusual surface designs on fabric. She has taught extensively in the fiber world, and is published in Weavers, Handwoven, Heddle, and Complex Weavers Journal to name just a few.

Kerstin Seifert's work (in collaboration with hand-weaver Ami Davis) is offered at regional art shows. She designs for individual clients and Tamiko's, a gallery in Hamilton, carries her work. She offers small group and private lessons, and her insights on designing and sewing handwovens are highly respected.

Deb Essen of Victorearned her Certificate of Excellence in Handweaving, Level 1, from the Handweavers Guild of America in 2004. As an independent project, she studied and wove over 40 samples in various weave structures to receive the award.

Fiber-holic, Joan Eagle Goldstein has had a lifelong interest in color patterning in knitting. She works full time in her home dye studio experimenting with natural and commercial dyes, and fine tuning a technique for blending dyed spinning fibers into new colors. She also writes knitting patterns and teaches spinning.

Barbara French’s Yarn Shop and Fiber Place in Bozeman is a homey gathering spot for fiberists from all over southwest Montana. She and her staff teach a broad range of classes including knitting for all levels, traditional rug hooking, crochet, and spinning. She also provides support for an annual comprehensive course for beginning weavers.

Karin Linnea Utzinger is a Bozeman weaver who has had a lifelong fascination with cultures, both ancient and contemporary. When she and her husband are not out trekking and traveling the world, she teaches weaving and ethnic clothing classes.