Foothills weavers will get heads spinning with their array of spun, woven, felted, knitted and sewn items in a fibre arts show this weekend.
The Sheep Creek Weavers Fibre Art Guild hosts its annual sale where 60 of its 80 members will showcase hundreds of fibre art creations at the Millarville Racetrack community hall Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Weaver Cynthia Stratulat, marketing volunteer with the guild, said the show features a variety of fibre arts beyond just weaving.
“We spend a lot of time focusing on the traditional arts right back to just selling the fleece or hand-spun yarn,” she said. “Some of them are like works of art.”
The group features a range of talents including crochet pieces that go beyond grandma’s doilies.
“One lady makes crocheted puppets,” he said. “Each one is a unique little creature. They are just amazing.”
Stratulat said there’s been a resurgence in the finer traditional art classes.
“For all of us that do the fibre arts it is absolutely what saves us from a tired mind or stressed out soul,” she said. “It feeds our creative side. It connects us back to our ancestors. There is something so satisfying with making something yourself and it’s human nature to create beauty.”
Stratulat makes fabric that she turns into bags, purses and pillows. She said other useful items people can expect are mittens, toques, scarves and neck warmers.
“If you need a scarf there is a lot of variety,” she said. “There’s beautiful silk woven scarves, thicker woven scarves and felted scarves. There is so much variety there.”
Other items include table runners, tablecloths, place mats and jewellery.
To make the event interactive, the weavers hold fibre art demonstrations and encourage people to explore the pieces.
“We want them to touch the stuff, try it on - we have a little change room - to know what sheep’s wool feels like and cotton feels like and silk feels like,” she said. “These are all natural fibres. Everything we make is made from those natural fibres.”
Most come from local animals, providing an educational opportunity for younger attendees, said Stratulat.
“We use local animals and talk to children about this is a renewable resource,” she said. “Sheep have to lose their coats and then they grow another one. It’s that big lesson about where things come from.”
Stratulat said the weavers have been sharing their talents with the public for more than 40 years.
“The event is getting more popular,” she said. “People see it as their first destination for Christmas shopping.”
Admission and parking is free. Complimentary tea, coffee, juice and baked goods will be provided.
