Workshops

Scroll down to see the list of available workshops and click on the image to register!

This is your chance to roll up your sleeves and get felting, weaving or hooking with talented fibre artists and vendors. There’s a terrific variety of workshops for adults, using all manner of materials and techniques.

All will workshops celebrate the colours, textures and diverse crafts that create beauty from natural fibres. Workshops will run over several days during the week of Fibrefest (September 6-10). Workshops may be in-person or virtual, so be sure to read all information about your chosen workshop.

Advance registration is required and some workshops may need you to supply your own specific materials or tools so do check out the website and register early to avoid disappointment!

 

 

For more information please email Shelagh at [email protected].

Want to be a workshop instructor at Fibrefest 2023? Please carefully read the information sheet and fill out the form provided in the links (usable for 2023 application as well).

2023 Workshop Applications are Closed now
Teachers - 2023 Workshop Information Sheet
Students - 2023 Workshop Information Sheet

Gelli Printing on Fabric

w/ Anne Warburton

“Learn the fundamentals of “gelli printing”, a type of printing using flexible gelatin printing plates to create textures and layers of colour. Explore the potential and learn tips and tricks for creative plate design on fabric using acrylic paints, stencils, found objects, and mark-making tools. Together we will build layers and experiment on our fabrics. Finished prints can be used for backgrounds, wearable art, sewing projects, art journals, art cards, collage, and more. This 1-day workshop is great for beginners, or for those with some experience to get reacquainted with your gel plate.”

Bottle Giraffes w/ Tiny’s Studio (Deborah Watts)

“Using an empty wine bottle you will create a giraffe using Paverpol and gauze. You will be shown three different methods of applying the Paverpol to the gauze and bottle to get different textures on your finished piece in just one day. We will get messy and have a lot of laughs as everyone creates a different expression in the creature.”

Student to Supply: Minimum of 1 (one) Gelli plate or Gel Press Plate (not speedball brand) any size, variety of acrylic paints (some will be provided), a brayer, a couple of rags or paper towels, fabrics to print on (cotton is best) (a variety will be provided), an apron or wear “painting-friendly” clothing, a table covering to protect the table

Student to Supply: Empty wine bottle with screw cap half filled with sand, Hammer, Tin foil 200 ft roll approx, Scissors, Box for carrying your creature home (tall), Wear old clothes

Create a Whimsical Fairy Garden

w/ Handmaiden Canada (Wendo Van Essen)

“In this 2 day workshop you will create your very own Fairy Garden. We will create a 3 dimensional garden scape using needle Felted wool and embellishments. It will sit in a vessel provided by me and will be completed during the class. No experience necessary!”

Student to Supply: Small pair of scissors, an apron

Intro to Dyeing Wool

w/ Stony Flats Rug Hooking (Shelagh Ryan)

“This is the best way to start dyeing…I supply all the equipment and you bring your curiosity! Several methods of dyeing wool cloth and wool yarn will be investigated from “ marrying” to “lasagna” to “ ice dyeing” and more. Microwave, stovetop and slow cookers will be used to demonstrate how simple and fun dyeing can be!”

Student to Supply: Apron or old shirt in case of splashes. Notebook with pencil and pen for notes. Several large safety pins, permanent marker, old bath towel, plastic bag to transport wet cloth or yarn. One large bag of ice in a cooler. Oven mitts, form fitting rubber gloves. Sharp scissors.

Intro to Rigid Heddle Weaving

w/ The Hilltop Fibreworker (Elizabeth Watt)

“Would you like to learn how to weave but beginning with 4 shafts seems a bit daunting? A Rigid Heddle loom is a smaller, more portable and simpler way to try out weaving. Learn the basics of weaving on the Rigid Heddle loom while making a scarf in plain weave. This is a great introduction to a very portable loom. You will learn how to warp (set up the loom to weave), how to start and stop weaving, as well as focusing on the importance of even beat and making neat edges. How to wash and finish your scarf will also be discussed.”

Student to Supply: tape measure, scissors, A rigid heddle loom with 7.5dpi heddle IF you have one, notetaking materials

Punch a Pair of Coasters using Oxford a Fine Punch Needle

w/ Hooking Outside the Lines (Robin Whitford)

“In this beginner friendly workshop, you will learn the basics of using an Oxford fine punch needle to create 2 coasters. Students should be able to finish one in class and one to finish at home.”

Student to Supply: A gripper Strip frame or 14″ Non-slip hoop, a #13 or #14 Oxford punch needle, small sharp scissors (all items can be purchased from the teacher if needed, notify at registration)

Sheepskin Soled Slippers – Crochet

w/ Makers Lodge (Christine Kitchen)

“In this workshop, we will be crocheting a pair of 6-12m sized baby slippers. A knowledge of basic crochet stitches is required. While I understand that not all participants will have a need/desire to make this size of slipper, we have found over the years there are many benefits to making this size before moving onto an adult pair.”

Student to Supply: Crochet hooks – a 3mm, and a 6mm hook, Small scissors

Introduction to Pine Needle Basketry w/ Janis Goad Basketry

Using pine needles, artificial sinew, and a needle, students will learn to make a small basket. This course is for beginners. Techniques include: • harvesting, preparing, and storing pine needles • starting the basket and spacing stitches for even spokes • increasing the coil • controlling the shape of the basket • adding new sinew • finishing • making the lid • decorating with beads, feathers, fascicles, stitch designs, and found materials

Student to Supply: Students bring their own scissors, thimble if preferred, a tea towel for their work space, and a thick elastic like the ones on broccoli, as a needle grabber.

Alternate Fibres for Rug Hooking

w/ Shelagh Ryan

“Rug Hooking has always been about using what you have; today we have a myriad of textile choices from natural sources…cotton, silk, and wool to man made fabrics that shine and sparkle. Different fibres often present different challenges. Please join me as I guide you through selecting your materials, how to prepare them and how to hook them.”

Student to Supply: Sharp 6” scissors, own hook and 10” hoop if you have them, pen, paper for note taking.

Introduction to Machine Applique w/ Paisleys Quilt Shop (Madonna Oliver)

“A great introduction to applique while making a fun floral project. Applique is the method of attaching pieces of fabric to a larger background fabric to create a picture. The seven leaves in this project are prepared, applied, and stitched using a combination of different methods, tools and threads to create very flat appliques to stuffed appliques!”

Learn to prepare appliques, complete raw-edge and turned applique methods, make a stem and a layered applique flower.

For intermediate stitchers: Knowledge of machine sewing is required.
Within class time: All applique techniques finished
Time permitting: Full/partial assembly of the project

Student to Supply: Required: Sewing Machine, Sewing machine needles – Non-stick size 80/12, 50wt cotton thread – light cream, navy, olive, light blue – suggest Aurifil or Mettler, Invisible thread – Extra fine polyester – Superior MonoPoly, Small iron and ironing mat, Paper scissors, Applique (very sharp pointed) scissors, Stiletto, Tweezers, Wash away marker – suggest Bohin, Basting glue stick – suggest Bohin, Precision Piecing Pen and liquid – suggest Acorn