Dye garden project planned
A group of fiber enthusiasts began meeting this summer to discuss ways of building the local fiber economy and reviving the area’s rich fiber tradition. Members may include spinners, knitters, weavers, fiber producers and processors – anyone who works with fiber.
The group will meet again Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 6 p.m. at the Mill Spring Agricultural Center. Anyone interested in fiber is welcome.
Among the items on the agenda for this month’s meeting are:
• Developing a brochure to promote the group and fiber-related activities in the area
• Discussing possible events the group could hold
• Planning a garden of plants used to produce natural dyes
• Discussing other possible group activities, such as demonstrations of fiber techniques.
At the group’s August meeting, attendees shared information about their craft or farm. The items displayed ranged from hand weaving, felted and beaded bags, quilted artworks and hand-dyed wools to kudzu paper and “franken sweaters” made by felting and sewing together wool from old sweaters.
The group discussed creating a directory of area fiber-related resources and holding shows highlighting local fiber artists and area farms where fiber-producing animals are raised.
One possibility was a mini-show in November at the ag center. Tentatively named “Llamas on the Lawn,” the show could feature llamas, alpacas and other fiber animals. It could also offer demonstrations of dyeing, spinning, felting and other techniques, as well as displays of locally produced fibers and fiber art for sale.