2010 Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Festival

We have so much to share from 2010!

Mittens by Sally Austin

October 12-16, 2010, was a busy week in Amherst, Nova Scotia, as fibre lovers descended upon the town from all directions! 

Bernadette Fowler presented a workshop on using a drop spindle.

Isn't this a fun idea: "The Lost Husbands Coffee Hour"!

This is a piece by Heidi Wulfrat, which was on display at Bella's.

Instructor Kathy Tidswell travelled from Burtt's Corner, New Brunswick, to share her skills in thread painting.

This is one of Karen Neary's quilting classes where students learned different appliqué techniques.

As in every festival, many gathered at Deanne Fitzpatrick's Studio  to try their hand at hooking.

A downtown boutique hosted a sustainable session on upcycling used clothing, and participants had a great time adding embellishments to their garments.

(There may have been a tray of treats involved as well.)

Victoria's Quilts held an Open House at the Masonic Hall to show where they make comfort quilts to donate to cancer patients to keep them warm during chemo.  Here they are explaining how they baste the quilts before quilting.  

One of the most popular events at our festival has always been the Wednesday "Sew In", sponsored each year by The Fabric Cupboard in Moncton.

Deanne Fitzpatrick's 3 day workshop at the Anglican Church was filled to capacity.  

There were exhibits at the Cumberland County Museum and Archives.

One of the highlights of the week was having Phyllis Cameron open her heritage home for visitors.  All three floors were hung with beautiful quilts, all made by Phyllis.

There was an exhibit of needlework at the Masonic Hall.

The Zonta Bazaar was overflowing with top quality hand made items for sale...

...as well as supplies for those inspired to try their hand at a new craft.

The Highland Hookers set up a display and hook-in at the Bridge Adult Workshop.

At Dayle's Department store, the quilt block contest continued to grow in popularity.  Look at the awesome basket of goodies awarded to this lucky winner!

Dayle's also had daily displays by different local artists.

The festival was contained to the downtown, and many local businesses decorated their windows.  This clever display is the work of Jackie Estabrooks, in the window at Pugsley's Pharmacy., where she encouraged us to "get more fibre in our diets."

Sally Austin was on hand again to teach knitters how to make beautiful and warm thrummed mittens.

There were displays of quilts and mats at the Home Furnishings store on Lawrence Street.

One of the highlights of the week was a presentation by quilt collector and appraiser John Cory from New Brunswick.  He entitled his talk, "A Gift For The Queen", and dazzled those in attendance with amazing stories on his vast collection of quilts. 

It was the perfect way to wrap up an amazing week.

2014 Brochure

Little by little, information about this year's festival is being added underneath the tabs at the top of this page. Please check back often for details on the amazing workshops and displays being offered.  To whet your fibre appetite, here's a snapshot of the newly released brochure.  You may have to enlarge the zoom on your screen to read the items; a proper, downloadable version will be added soon to the festival website.  You will also find copies of the brochure popping up in various locations around town...and beyond. Enjoy!

Festival Changes and Updates

Please note the following changes for this week's events:

• Art Hits the Wall Exhibit by the NS Rug Hooking Guild has been moved to the Museum at 150 Church Street.   
• The Square Bottom Round - Basket Weaving has been moved to Headquarters at Town Hall, 98 Victoria St
• Because You Count -Cross Stitch has been moved to Headquarters at Town Hall, 98 Victoria St

For further information on any of these events, click the links above.

Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Festival Dinner

Bella's Café and Bistro are cooking up a special menu for the Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Festival.  Call now to reserve a seat!   

 Nova Scotia Fibre Arts Festival Dinner

Thursday, October 17, 2013 

6:30 pm 

Bella’s Café and Bistro 

117 Victoria Street East 

Amherst, NS

    

Appetizer

BABY SPINACH SALAD WITH MIXED BERRIES, FETA CHEESE AND HOMEMADE STRAWBERRY VINAIGRETTE

Entrée

ROSEMARY Roast Pork Loin with Sauce Robert

OR

PAN-FRIED HADDOCK

BOTH ENTREES SERVED WITH OVEN ROASTED POTATOES AND A VEGETABLE MEDLEY

Dessert

NOVA SCOTIA BLUEBERRY CRISP WITH FRESH WHIPPED CREAM

Price: Thirty Five Dollars Plus Tax Per Person

Reserve your Seat Now

660-3090

A Winning Weaving Combo

A Winning Weaving Combo

By: Joan Beswick 

Enthusiasm and energy – the vibes were great in the side room at festival headquarters when Patty Chasse, consummate fibre artist and weaving instructor, introduced me to her star pupil, Jane Jorgensen. Patty is an accomplished weaver who makes fine silk and bamboo scarves and shawls, table linens, towels and other items for the home. She creates all her own designs and is a juried member of the New Brunswick Craft Council, a member of the Atlantic Spinners and Handweavers and the Ontario Handweavers and Spinners. She is also the representative for the Maritimes for both the Handweavers Guild of America and Complex Weavers.

Jane is a nurse who is looking forward to having more time for fibre arts in her upcoming retirement. She is a talented fibre artist who spins and knits and creates comfy and colourful fibre works.

According to Patty, Jane has ‘good hands’, a compliment indeed coming from her accomplished instructor. When I visited, Jane had completed the initial teacher-planned project, and moved on to more ambitious weaving on a four-harness teaching loom, an instrument similar to a loom she has at home. 

Jane attributed her success to Patty’s calm manner, expert knowledge, and the excellent instructional book she created for the class. This book described different types of looms, demonstrated threading and repairing, and offered ‘point by point’ instructions on the process of weaving. 

To this author - a total novice without ‘good hands’ - weaving has always seemed intimidating, both because of the complexity of the skill and the intricacy of the machinery. Jane’s experience suggests that Patty may just be the person to dispel that notion – a skilled weaver who loves her craft and takes great joy in sharing it with others. 

At the 2012 festival, Patti and Jane formed a winning weaving combo and we look forward to seeing them again at the 2013 festival. We also highly recommend a visit to Patty’s studio in Wood Point, N.B.  On Saturday, October 15, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m, she will be hosting a ‘Luxury Handwovens Studio Tour’. Those who went last year say it was also a winning weaving combo - the natural beauty of the  setting and Patty’s fabulous fibre artistry – a ‘must do’ for festival goers whatever their craft!