Join us on April 6 as we highlight our heritage breed sheep. We’ll learn about natural fibers such as wool, flax, and hemp as we explore the ways in which these fibers have been used throughout history as well as how they’re used today. Plus, we’ll be hosting fiber artists, vendors, and shepherds on this special day as we conclude Wool Week here at the Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia. Fiber Fest vendors and presenters will offer information on historical fiber processing as well as workshops and demonstrations. Museum staff will also share activities focusing on fiber arts all across the Museum. We hope you’ll join us on April 6!

 

 

Vendors

Origin Fiber

One of a Kind

Companion Fiber

Cesium Yarn

Gatherings

DonnaKayStudio

Merino Matron Sheep Farm

Spindles and More

Bellefield Jacobs

Lancaster Creek Spinnery

The Fuzzy EAR

Top Dog Boutique

Semper Fidelis Farm

Twisted Yarn and Fiber Bags

Amy Christensen

Simple Hill Farm

Aleta Spring Farm & Fiber

Farm Experience LLC

McNutt-Grisby Farm

Broken Arrow Creations

Magari Yarn and Dyeworks

Food Truck: Delicias Marina Food Truck from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Day of Schedule of Activities

The Frontier Culture Museum will host three workshops as part of this year’s Fiber Festival! Each workshop can be completed with no prior experience and the price includes all of the materials!

Drop Spinning

Learn how to create your own yarn with the timeless skill of drop spinning. In this introduction to drop spinning you will learn how to choose a fiber to spin, how to draft and apply appropriate twist. We will discuss how to ply, and how to finish your yarn. Easy to learn and with practice can be a very meditative and peaceful pastime. Adult learners only. Drop spindle for class use and fiber included.

This workshop will run from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and is $115 per participant. Advance registration is required, purchase your tickets here.

Introduction to Wheel Spinning

Learn the ancient and timeless art of spinning.  Students will start on a drop spindle to learn basic skills,and then move onto a wheel if they wish. You will learn how to choose a fiber to spin, how to draft and apply appropriate twist on a spindle, then apply those skills to a spinning wheel. Easy to learn and so rewarding, this is a class you will enjoy and a skill you will learn to love. The class includes an introduction to basic spinning skills and hands-on assistance from a spinner with more than ten years’ experience in teaching. You will have the use of drop spindles, and a spinning wheel during class, and you will be supplied with fiber for class use.

This workshop will run from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM and is $115 per participant. Advance registration is required, purchase your tickets here.

About the Instructor

The Drop Spinning Workshop and Introduction to Wheel Spinning are both run by Dorothea Pierce. Dorothea Pierce has been knitting for over fifty years and spinning for over thirty. Her absolute favorite thing to do, EVER, is teach people how to spin and knit. She has taught everything from 3-day spinning workshops to five-minute knitting tutorials, and everything in between! She owns Yarn Seasons, a local yarn shop near Roanoke and with her mother hosts the Skein Away Fiber Retreat at Smith Mountain Lake twice a year.