Archbold, OH – Fiber artists from throughout the region will be gathering at Sauder Village on Saturday, June 28 to share with guests their love of turning fibers into finished products. Visitors can watch as craftsmen demonstrate spinning, weaving, knitting, basket making, rug hooking and even try some of these fiber art activities. Guests will also have an opportunity to purchase supplies or hand-made items during the “Focus on Fiber Arts” event and guest fiber artist Kate Larson will be teaching special workshops throughout the weekend.
“From shearing the sheep in the spring to spinning the wool and weaving it into cloth, years ago the process of making rugs, yarn and clothing involved a lot of work,” shared Kim Krieger, PR/Media Relations Specialist. “We are thrilled to have so many talented fiber artists and vendors joining us again this year to share their talents with our guests at this special event.!”
The Focus on Fiber Arts event takes an in-depth look at the world of fiber arts as craftsmen come together to share with guests their love of turning wool, cotton and flax into finished products. Guests will be able to watch spinning, weaving, knitting, crocheting and tatting demonstrations. There will be fiber exhibits, looms and spinning wheels on display, hands-on activities and dying demonstrations. Select vendors will also be selling handmade items and fiber art supplies.
Again this year, guests will have an opportunity to get involved with the fiber arts activities. Throughout the day guests can try weaving, spinning, potholder weaving and using weaving sticks. At Natives and Newcomers guests can also try basswood cordage making. A special Village Fiber Tour will be offered throughout the day. Guests will meet at the Grime Homestead and then go on a guided tour to see the flax patch, two breeds of sheep, the herb garden used for natural dyes and more!
New this year fiber artist Kate Larson from central Indiana will be teaching workshops at Sauder Village throughout the weekend. Kate loves using fiber arts as a bridge between her passions for art and agriculture. Her fiber journey has led her to a degree in Environmental Soil Chemistry, travels through northern Europe in search of textile traditions, and back to the farm where her family has lived for six generations. She keeps an ever-growing flock of Border Leicester sheep and teaches hand-spinning and knitting regularly in central Indiana and around the country. Kate has published articles and designs in Spin-Off Magazine, Jane Austen Knits, Knitting Sweaters from Around the World, and other publications. She manages the Spinner’s Connection blog at SpinningDaily.com. You can find more information about Kate Larson online at www.katelarsontextiles.com
A limited number of spaces are still available for the “Sweet Feet: Spinning for Socks,” “Beginning Lace Knitting” and “Spinning Spectacular Knitting Yarns” workshops. Class details and registration information are available online athttp://www.saudervillage.org/Creativity/Fiber_Arts_Workshops_June2014.asp
Fiber arts vendors will also have many unique items for sale. Vendors will be selling wooden textile tools, raw fleece, handspun art yarns, hand-dyed yarns, batts, millspun yarns, spinning wheels and spindles. There will also be hand-woven scarves, knitting and crocheting yarns and supplies, handmade pottery yarn bowls, dyes, tatted doilies and other hand-knitted items for sale.
Other upcoming Sauder Village events include the Old Fashioned 4th of July celebration on July 4-6, Fiddle Contest & Summer on the Farm on July 12, Explore the Crafts on July 19 and a Vintage Base Ball Tournament on July 26.
Historic Sauder Village is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and each Sunday afternoon from noon-4:00 p.m. The Historic Village is closed on Mondays, except holidays. Admission is $16.00 for adults and $10.00 for students ages 6-16. Children 5 and under are always free with family and Sauder Village members receive free admission to the Historic Village for an entire year. Senior, Military and AAA discounts are also available. And again this year, children 16 and under are free every Sunday this season – even for the concert! For more information phone 1-800-590-9755, visit www.saudervillage.org, like Sauder Village on Facebook or follow us on Twitter @SauderVillage