2009 Day 1: Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Festival

With all the enthusiasm shown for the previous year, the 2009 Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Festival kicked off to a roaring start, with even more shows, displays, and workshops.  Fibre enthusiasts flocked to Amherst from all over the globe.  The events began on Tuesday, October 13 and ran until Saturday the 17th.

For the entirety of this wonderful week, The Bobbins and Baymist Quilt Guild held a display at the Home Furniture Store on Lawrence Street.  In addition to quilts made by this guild, there were also a great many hooked pieces by Vera and Trina McInnis available for purchase. 

Fibre Artist Heidi Wulfrat displayed her beautiful felted work at the Cumberland Regional Library.

At the Cumberland County Museum and Archives, there was a show of hooked rugs,

...and a needlework display by Elizabeth Hickey

A special treat for festival goers was this display by Doris Eaton at Bella's Café on Victoria Street, of her one-of-a-kind hooked rugs. 

Tuesday afternoon was a workshop with amazing quilter Laurie Swim, where she demonstrated some of the techniques she uses in her work. Knit & Stitch fabric store from New Minas supplied Janome sewing machines for use in the workshop which was wonderful for the participants.

Those present got to try out three of Laurie's techniques used in her art quilts.

At Deanne Fitzpatrick's Studio, a "Hook and Hoop" was held, where newcomers to the craft were offered instruction.

Jennifer Manuell did a workshop at First Baptist Church on hooked handbags.

Later that evening the official opening for the festival was held at Tantramar Theatre. (You may know this building now as Amherst Town Hall).  There were words of welcome from town dignitaries and the Fibre Arts Festival committee, as well as tons of food and refreshments. Displays by festival participants were set up around the room, and book signings for new books released by Laurie Swim, and Karen Neary & Diane Shink: 

There was a good crowd in attendance, including these lovely ladies who are looking forward to their workshops later in the week.

Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Festival:2008

We have more pictures to share, this time from our 2008 Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Festival in Amherst.  Let's start with the brochure from that year:

A display, and some hooking, at the Cumberland Museum:

This dynamic duo of Phyllis and Jeanne were part of the demonstrations in various fibre arts disciplines held at the Lion's Den. It was fun for people to go from table to table to see various items being worked.

Dayle's Department Store began their annual festival tradition of a quilt block contest, and displayed the beautiful entries up high for all to admire. They had hoped to have enough blocks entered for the winner to make a quilt top, but even in this first year they had enough for three winners!

The block winners were "people's choice" and the public was encouraged to vote for their favourite.  This turned into one of the more popular events held each year during the festival.  In addition to a share of the blocks, First, Second and Third Choice winners were awarded a generous basket of goodies by Dayle's.

This colourful quilt was used as a beacon outside of Karen Neary's "Maritime Beauty" workshop to welcome folks to class. 

Originally Karen was to present one class, but ended up doing two as there were so many signups.  The workshops were arranged and hosted by the Cumberland Quilt Guild, and held in the Ralston Room at the First Baptist Church.

Lisa Martin was the featured artist at Bella's for the festival dinner.  

Her works were admired by a sold out crowd. The response to the festival was amazing, and encouraged the organizers to offer even more workshops and displays in following years.

The following day, Lisa presented a workshop on Needle Felting.

Cynthia McCarthy presented a homemade book workshop.

The Highland Hookers hosted a well-attended hook-in.  

This also included a display and sale of finished pieces.

A purse making workshop with Jennifer Manuell was held at the Cumberland County Museum:

They look like they are having fun!

Another popular event at the festival is the display of rugs made by Dr. Helena Bienkowski. 

A local furniture store was the perfect spot to host a mother/daughter display of quilts and rugs by Vera and Trina McInnis.

The mats were hung on the walls and draped on tables, and the quilts displayed on the beds. 

The Cumberland Quilt Guild presented their stellar show of quilts at First Baptist Church. It's breathtaking to see so many quilts draped on pews in this beautiful sanctuary.

They have returned each year, expanding their show to cover two days to give more folks a chance to see the stunning quilts made by guild members. They will be back to do it again for 2023!

Looking Back on the Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Festival: 2009

As our various committees look forward to plan for the 2023 Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Festival October 10-14, we also can't help but look back to where it all started. For many years, the beautiful and historic town of Amherst, Nova Scotia has welcomed fibre artists from all disciplines to gather with like-minded folk to create, admire, share, shop, teach, support, socialize, and learn from each other. 

Originally, the festival was contained to the downtown core, expanding further out as more and larger venues were required.  The following pictures are all from 2009.

As the big week approached, the window dressing in downtown shops began.

Lots of volunteers showed up to help out.  These two had way too much fun doing the window at Pugsley's Pharmacy.

You can see a brochure from 2008 in the bottom picture. 

Please check back for more pictures of our past festivals.