We are seeing a revival of natural plant fibers in the world of textiles. Once, we used a much wider variety of plant fibers than we do today. What happened? In the 1960s, synthetic fabrics overshadowed the market. Now, we are starting to see young artisans revisit natural plant fibers. There is something special about
The Ashford family has been a force in the fiber world for almost a century. Founded in 1934, Ashford Handicraft Ltd. has produced a large percentage of the spinning wheels still in use today. In 1987, Elizabeth Ashford founded The Wheel magazine as a way of promoting the crafts and connecting textile artists from around
The Fibershed movement started in 2010 as a way to create regional economies that could support the growing and processing of fibers within a 250-mile radius. The goal is to build a more sustainable and resilient system that doesn’t rely on imported goods or fossil fuels. Since its inception, the movement has grown exponentially, with
The Livestock Conservancy’s annual conference on October 25-26 is almost sold out. As a fiber artist, if you’ve got the hankering to travel or stretch your thinking, this would be a great opportunity to network with the community that produces the fiber you spin. While there are many sessions dedicated to grazing and raising animals,
