Learn a new stitch at Midwest Fiber & Folk Art Fair
The 2012 Midwest Fiber & Folk Art Fair has added two new attractions — the Garment Extravaganza and a live llama and alpaca show — to an already-packed weekend of activities.
Celebrating the work of artists since 2007, this year’s fair will take place Friday through Sunday, June 22-24 in the Expo Center at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 Peterson Road, Grayslake.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $10 each day and $25 for three days. Children 10 and younger are free.
The Garment Extravaganza runway presentation will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 23. The sale of these one-of-a-kind wearable art garments will immediately follow. Fine Line Creative Arts Center of St. Charles is partnering with the fair, with assistance from Windy City Knitting Guild, to feature 25 original designs.
The MFFAF Open and Llama/Alpaca show on Friday and Saturday will include a Halter Class, a Showmanship Class, an Open Obstacle Course and an optional Walking Fleece Competition. Alpacas will be featured on Friday, llamas and Walking Fleece Competition on Saturday.
Nationally known fiber arts instructors will conduct workshops in traditional fiber arts such as knitting, spinning, felting, weaving, natural dyeing, basket making, macramé, beading and polymer clay modeling. They will also make appearances among the 48 workshops offered at the fair. Register online at www.fiberandfolk.com and click on “workshops” at the top of the page.
Among the 21 instructors at the fair will be author Nancy Bush, who will teach classes in glove-making and traditional Estonian knitting. Author John Mullarkey will teach small loom weaving. Author Jacey Boggs will help students of all levels perfect their spinning. Popular Chicago-based blogger and author Franklin Habit will cover a range of topics from vintage patterns to style-enhancing techniques.
Local fiber arts guilds will demonstrate and teach beginning lessons. Some may charge a small fee for materials. Among them will be Crocheters of the Lakes, The Foxy Lady Rug Hooking Guild, The Hollow Tree Spinners Guild, Windy City Knitting Guild and The Woodstock Weavers Guild.
Two students will each receive a $2,000 scholarship awarded annually to candidates seeking an undergraduate or graduate degree in fiber arts, textiles or a related program. Scholarship winners will be announced immediately after the Garment Extravaganza.
The Midwest Fiber & Folk Air Fair scholarship is sponsored by Toni Neil, owner of The Fold in Marengo. The Northwest Area Arts Council assists in selecting the recipients. As of this year, $20,000 in scholarships has been awarded since 2008.
Musicians will perform throughout the fair, courtesy of Off Square Music of Woodstock. Featured artists are Small Potatoes, Trillium, Compass and Macyn Taylor. For a full schedule, log on to www.fiberandfolk.com and click on “music” at the bottom of the page.
The fair will also include Three Bags Full fleece judging competition, Fine Fiber & Folk Art Exhibit and Vintage Handbag Exhibit. A large vendor marketplace will feature supplies, equipment and finished products.
Fair concessions will offer a variety of ethnic food.