Friday!

There is so much happening today! We have shows and classes and shopping, oh my! It's going to be a lovely day so get out and enjoy. Please take some time to enjoy the beautiful town of Amherst and the surrounding area. The folks at the Festival Information Desk will be happy to provide directions and tips.  

Festival Information Desk ~ 10-2 Friday ~ First Baptist Church
Social Night ~ 5-7 ~ Amherst Train Station ~ Free (If you're ordering dinner from Bambino's, please give them lots of time. They appreciate the business, but it is Friday night, and they will be busy!)

Embroidery Exhibit ~ 10-3 Tues-Sat ~ Focal Point Gallery ~ Free
Maritime Magic Rug Show (Northport Loopers) ~ 10-7 ~ Trinity Church ~ $2.00
Cumberland Quilters Guild Quilt Show ~ 10-5 ~ First Baptist Church ~ $2.00
Quilts and Their Stories ~ 10-4 ~ Mrs. Pugsley’s Emporium ~ Free
Hooked Rug Show by Dr. Halina Bienkowski ~ 6-9 ~ Pharmasave Suite 100 ~ Free

Rigid Heddle Scarf Weaving* ~ 9-4 ~ Arts & Entertainment Centre ~ $200
Bloomin’ Poppies: Traditional to Modern Rug Hooking* Part 2 ~ 9-4 ~ Christ Church
Santa in the Trees* ~ 1-3 ~ Deanne Fitzpatrick Rug Hooking Studio $49.95
Mariner’s Compass Block* ~ 9-4 ~ Travelodge (Wandlyn Inn) ~ $75
*these classes all required pre-registration

Mrs Pugsley's Emporium 50 Victoria St E Amherst
Deanne Fitzpatrick Rug Hooking Studio 33 Church St Amherst
Sunrise Trail Quiltery 1205 Hwy 6 Amherst
Oh Sew Savvy 465 Sunset Ave Oxford

Social Events

Please join us at the Train Station, 27 Station St, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday - or all three! We just love this space, and want you to be able to spend some time crafting and hanging out with your fellow artists. There is no charge for these gatherings, but if you wish to order dinner on Thursday or Friday, that's extra. Bambino's is right next door (in the same building!) and can bring your dinner over to you. We also have speakers on Thursday and Friday to share some wisdom.

See you there!

Shows, shows, shows!

 Looking for inspiration, or just want to admire other artist's work? We have lots of shows! Admission is free or just $2.00.

Thursday October 17

Quilts and Their Stories ~ 10-4 ~ Mrs. Pugsley’s Emporium ~ Free

Friday October 18

Maritime Magic Rug Show (Northport Loopers) ~ 10-7 ~ Trinity Church ~ $2.00
Cumberland Quilters Guild Quilt Show ~ 10-5 ~ First Baptist Church ~ $2.00
Quilts and Their Stories ~ 10-4 ~ Mrs. Pugsley’s Emporium ~ Free
Hooked Rug Show by Dr. Halina Bienkowski ~ 6-9 ~ Pharmasave Suite 100 ~ Free

Saturday October 19

Maritime Magic Rug Show (Northport Loopers) ~ 10-3 ~ Trinity Church ~ $2.00
Cumberland Quilters Guild Quilt Show ~ 10-4 ~ First Baptist Church ~ $2.00

Workshops Requiring Registration

My apologies for not getting this posted earlier! Here's what's been posted on Facebook and Instagram so far. If we add any other workshops, this post will be updated.

Tuesday. October 15

NEW~Jelly Roll Rug Placemat* ~ 10-4 ~ Arts & Entertainment Centre ~ $30
To register: Kim Hipkins Oh Sew Savvy 902-614-5431 or ohsewsavvy9@gmail.com

Wednesday October 16

NEW~Serenity Bargello* ~ 9-3 ~ Sunrise Trail Quiltery ~ $30
To register: dawn.fage@gmail.com or message on FB

Sew In* - 9am-4pm - Arts & Entertainment Centre ~ $35
To Register: Lynn Bourgeois bourgeoislynn1946@gmail.com

Thursday October 17

Sock Heel Clinic* - 1-3pm – Arts & Entertainment Centre ~ $50
To register: http://knitsiphappy.com/2024/07/07/class-sock-heel-clinic/

Hooked Over Time: Traditional to Modern Rug Hooking* - Part 1 – 9am-4pm - Christ Church
~ $250 + tax
To Register: Periwinkle Laine periwinklelaine@gmail.com

Friday October 18

Rigid Heddle Scarf Weaving*  - 9am – 4 pm Arts & Entertainment Centre ~ $200
To Register: Rachel Dalton Brigadoon Fiber Farm 506-478-0536 or brigadoonfarm@outlook.com

Mariner’s Compass Block*- 9am-4pm Wandlyn Travelodge ~ $75
To Register: Debra Howard Quilts by the Bay on Instagram

Hooked Over Time: Traditional to Modern Rug Hooking* - Part 2 – 9am-4pm - Christ Church
~ $250 + tax
To Register: Periwinkle Laine periwinklelaine@gmail.com

Santa in the Trees* - 1-3 pm - Deanne Fitzpatrick Rug Hooking Studio ~ $49.95 + tax
To Register: 902-667-0560

Workshops, Lectures and Shows!

Hello everyone! Here is an overview of the workshops, lectures and presentations that will take place at this year's festival. Over the next few weeks, we'll be sharing more information about the presenters and their events, along with how to register. Please keep in mind that this is not etched in stone! Things can change, but we will post as soon as anything does.

Wednesday, October, 16

·       Lynn Bourgeois Annual Sew-In 9 am-4 pm

·       NSFAF Welcome Gathering 5-7 pm

Thursday, October 17

·       Nancy Wheeler Sock Heel Clinic 1-3 pm

·       Periwinkle Laine Rug Hooking Workshop Part 1 9-4pm

Friday, October 18

·       Rachel Dalton Scarf Weaving on a Rigid Heddle Workshop 9 am – 4 pm

·       Debra Howard Strip Piecing the Mariner’s Compass Block Workshop 9-4

·       Cumberland Quilt Show Day 1 10-5

·       Periwinkle Laine Hooked over Time: Traditional to Modern Rug Hooking Workshop Part 2 9 am - 4pm

·       Maritime Magic Rug Show Day 1 10 am -7 pm

·       Halina Bienkowski Rug Show 6-9 pm

·       Deanne Fitzpatrick Santa in the Trees Workshop 1-3 pm

·       Melissa Gauthier Documenting Through Mat Making Lecture 6-8 pm

Saturday, October 19

·       Cumberland Quilt Show Day 2 10-4

·       Maritime Magic Rug Show Day 2 10-3

·       Zonta Bazaar

Quilt Show 2023

Rug Show 2023

Festival Planning Updates!

Good evening everyone! Thank you so much for your patience. I have a bunch of information to share, so I'll get right to it.

We have confirmed some events for this year's festival. The opening will take place once again at The Train Station. This beautifully renovated building will get your creative juices flowing! We also have a quilt show, two unique rug shows, a sock heel clinic, workshops in weaving, rug hooking, and quilting, a sew-in, and a lecture to help you document life experiences in your rugs. Even with all that, we are looking for more. If you are interested in instructing a class, or presenting at the festival, please complete this application. If you would like to see a certain instructor or course, please feel free to suggest something, and I will reach out to them.

The Zonta Bazaar is always poplar. This vendor showcase on the Saturday of the festival, is now confirmed. Vendor registration will be happening shortly. I will be sure to dedicate a post to that when it's ready!

A few people have asked about accommodations, and where the events are happening. We don't have this year's map ready yet, but I have included a previous year's below. As you can see, Amherst is a fairly small town, so nothing is too far away from anything. Hotel chain options include:
Travelodge (formerly the Wandlyn)
Super 8
Comfort Inn 
Amherst also has a few independent motels in town, as well as bed and breakfast options both in and just outside of town. There is cab service, but no public transit. Food options include great coffee shops, restaurants, and multiple grocery stores! We also have great beaches less than 30 minutes away. Visit novascotia.com for some trip planning help.

Hope to see you there!

Presenters and Workshop Instructors

Good afternoon everyone! It's dreary day here in northern Nova Scotia, and I'm wishing we had the sun back. My yarn and fabric stashes are calling my name (loudly), but I'm resisting (barely) until I get some work done. 

Applications are still open for presenters and workshop instructors for this year's festival. Got an idea for a great class? Wanna share your fibre love with others? Please consider applying! If you have any questions, ask below or email us at fibreartsfestival@gmail.com.

The Zonta Bazaar (for vendors) is still in the works, but it will definitely be happening this year!

Zonta Bazaar Update!

Good morning, fibre enthusiasts! We are diligently working on plans for this year's festival, and questions about the Zonta vendor bazaar are coming in fast and furious. That committee is finalizing plans for the location and we should be able to share more details soon.

In the meantime, tell us what you want to see at this year's event. Are you looking to build on existing skills, or do you want to dive into something new? Do you have suggestions for workshops? A favourite vendor you're hoping to spend your pennies at? Please share below!

Call for presenters

 Call for presenters! Please complete the application form and send any additional information to nsfibreartsfestival@gmail.com by May 1, 2024.

Dates for 2024

Happy almost spring! The year is flying by and we are making plans for the 15th Annual Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Festival. The festival will take place October 17-19 this year. You can expect to see classes, shows, and the bazaar. More details to come!