Mission/History

The Potomac Fiber Arts Guild was started in 1944 as the Potomac Craftsmen Guild by a small group of people in the Washington, DC area who liked to do handwork, especially weaving. For many years they met in one of the Smithsonian Institution buildings where one of the members was employed.

With more than 70 years as a premier fiber arts guild, we have grown to over 300 members. Our interests have built upon and expanded beyond weaving to include a wide range of fiber art, such as lace making, embroidery, spinning, knotting, knitting, crocheting, felting, quilting, dyeing, paper making, and stitching and surface design of all types.

Our guild’s mission is:

  • To widen knowledge of the fiber arts and increase the number of techniques known.
  • To investigate and study the fiber art made in our own and other lands.
  • To improve our membership’s creativity, methods and techniques.
  • To gain inspiration from one another by sharing our experiences.
  • To promote the use of quality hand-made fiber art in our vicinity.

Our bylaws may be accessed here.

Past Presidents

2024 – Present   Joanne Seyl 1990 – 1992   Margaret Ralston 1966 – 1967   Mrs. H. M. H. A. Van der Valk
2021 – 2024   Stacy Cantrell 1988 – 1990   Verna Suit 1965 – 1966   Mrs. John Porter
2019 – 2021   Gail Hamill 1986 – 1988   Mickie Schneider 1963 – 1965   Mrs. Allen S. Arness
2017 – 2019   Floris Flam 1985 – 1986   Margaret M. Conant 1961 – 1963   Dr. Doris Cochran
2015 – 2017   Margaret Fisher 1984 – 1985   Christine Spangler 1960 – 1961   Mrs. Paul Henshaw
2013 – 2015   Eileen Doughty 1982 – 1984   Betty Ladd 1959 – 1960   Cdr. Theodore R. Cooley
2011 – 2013   Ann Graham 1980 – 1982   Caye Speakman 1957 – 1959   Miss Elizabeth Long
2009 – 2011   Zita Simutis 1979 – 1980   Byrdann Fox 1955 – 1957   Mrs. C. Edwin Nighman
2007 – 2009   Anne Sanderoff-Walker 1978 –1979   Lee-lee Schlegel 1953 – 1955   Mrs. P. Hendley Napier
2005 – 2007   Janet Stollnitz 1976 – 1978   Dr. Howard E. Waterworth 1952 – 1953   Mrs. Ralph Fast
2003 – 2005    Corrine Terebas 1975 – 1976   Miss Hyacinth L. McMorris 1951 – 1952   Mrs. J. W. Waterhouse
2001 –  2003   Roz Houseknecht 1974 – 1975   Mrs. Walter C. Sewell 1949 – 1951   Mrs. W. Gardner Lynn
1999 – 2001   Jane Butler 1972 – 1974   Mrs. William J. Flynn 1948 – 1949   Mrs. Phillip Wood
1997 – 1999   Lanna Ray 1971 – 1972   Doramay Keasbey 1946 – 1948   Mrs. Donnell Young
1996 – 1997   Prue Hill 1970 – 1971   Mrs. Frank J. Lynch 1944 – 1946   Mrs. Alfred R. Lee
1994 – 1996   Jean Christensen 1969 – 1970   Mrs. Myron W. Klein
1992 –1994   Jennifer Kelly 1967 – 1969   Mrs. Willner D. Mensing