Released: January 03, 2003

First-Ever ‘Fiber Festival’ To Link Producer, Consumer

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Designed to connect producer and consumer in a niche market, the Central Plains Fiber Festival will be held at the Phillips County Fairgrounds in Phillipsburg, Kan., March 21-23, 2003.

The festival will provide information, patterns, resources and instructions for weaving, spinning, dyeing, knitting, crocheting, felting and other textile handicrafts. Live fiber-producing animals, fleece competitions and workshops will also be held to suit any hobbyist. "This first-ever festival promises to bring together producers and fiber enthusiasts for a weekend of networking and learning," said Sally Brandon, organizer of the event. "Participants will find workshops to excite and inspire, old and new friends to visit with, and maybe a new addition to your list of hobbies and interests."

Brandon said fiber arts have grown in popularity and sparked the need to bring fiber producers and buyers together. Similar events held in Estes Park, Colo., and Bethel, Mo. provided a model for the conference.

"There are a number of spinners in the area, who do not have the opportunity to travel far," Brandon said. "This will give them a chance to meet with producers and learn about their products."

To help others learn, a series of workshops offer practical experience to novice and experienced hobbyists. Full-day and half-day workshops will be available on March 22. Fees will be charged for some of the educational opportunities.

* Inkle Weaving - Students will spend the day learning the basics of weaving on an Inkle loom and then learn more advanced techniques.

* Beginning Knitting - Learn to cast on, knit, purl, etc. Participants will make a sampler and begin a project to practice their new-found skills.

* Natural Dying - This class will prepare three dyepots to get a rainbow of colors using osage orange, brazilwood and indigo.

Half-day workshops give an overview on the following topics:

* Fiber Bonding with Wool and Silk - Fiber bonding involves felting to a backing fabric, which produces a more drapable alternative to traditional felt.

* Weaving Without a Loom - Woven items can be made on anything from cardboard to cereal boxes to popsickle sticks.

* Beginning Spinning - Students will learn the basics of spinning on a drop spindle and a wheel.

Workshops covering topics such as handspinning, market round table discussion, grazing and rangeland management, general sheep production, wool grading and needlefelting are included in the cost of registration and require no additional fees.

"The festival will be an opportunity to learn about the selection of fiber arts," Brandon said. "There might be a market producers can break into."

The event will also include a fleece show, where each fleece will be judged for soundness, cleanliness, uniformity and general character. Space is available in the livestock barns for display of fiber animals for the Livestock Showcase.

The Fiber Promotion Display will allow fiber enthusiasts to network with producers through their products. One-ounce samples, business cards, brochures, price lists and pictures will be mounted and displayed to allow fiber enthusiasts an opportunity to contact producers regarding purchases.

Jane Patrick and Barry Schacht, with Schacht Spindle Company, will deliver the keynote address "Where We’ve Been...Where We’re Going."

Sponsors include Fleece & Fibers Weavers and Spinners Guild, Phillips County K- State Research & Extension, Kansas Biggest Rodeo Association in Phillipsburg, Kansas Sheep Council, Schacht Spindle Company and Great Plains Artisans, LLC.

For questions or to register for any of the festival events, contact Brandon at jsbrandon@ruraltel.net or call 785-638-2803.

-30-

K-State Research and Extension is a short name for the Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service, a program designed to generate and distribute useful knowledge for the well-being of Kansans. Supported by county, state, federal and private funds, the program has county Extension offices, experiment fields, area Extension offices and regional research centers statewide. Its headquarters is on the K-State campus, Manhattan.

Story by:
Lucas Shivers, Communications Assistant
lshivers@oznet.ksu.edu
K-State Research& Extension News