Fibercamp 2012: An inspiring open format conference for everyone who enjoys knitting, crochet and a whole host of other fiber arts. This year I learned about coiling from Jeanne and how to evaluate a fleece from Lucy. I also shared my experience with making a duct tape mannequin and enabled a session on seaming techniques for knitters.
We covered the seaming of (wish I had taken photos!)
ends of rows (e.g. the sides of a sweater),
cast on/bound off edges (e.g. shoulder seams)
cast on/bound off edge to an end of row (e.g. a shoulder cap)
I passed around samples and we talked about selvedges and ratios. Knowing that this might seem very logical while in the session, but completely irretrievable in the future, I put together a reference list based on magazines currently on the market, books I enjoy and books others recommended. Here they are:
From the current magazine stands, you’ll find a nice article about seaming in the Debbie Bliss Magazine. Knitters volume 106 has a super article on picking up stitches with a great table.
Amanda W then took the group through the principles of picking up stitches. Hopefully the short sessions gave people the jist and the resources for the next time they need to finish an project.
I’d love to hear any additions you have to the list!
Many many thanks to the Museum of Fine Arts for bringing the quilt documentary, “Stitched” to Boston this weekend. Can we have more film like this?
Directed by Jenalia Moreno, produced by Nancy Sarnoff and with great camera work by Thomas Gandy, “Stitched” shares the stories of three well known American quilters: Caryl Bryer Fallert, Hollis Chatelain and Randall Cook. The ties between them are stronger than fame: Caryl mentored Hollis who has in turn, encouraged Randall. The International Quilt Festival in Houston as its framework, sharing the story of these three artists’ entries for the 2010 Festival.
For those who aren’t into the quilting, you may not know the lingo or the events. The International Quilt Festival is Houston’s largest convention: last year, more than 60,000 people attended. The film tries to highlight both traditional and contemporary quilting. This film is an excellent peek into the quilting subculture.
As a quilter, I enjoyed their stories, the viewpoints and a peek into their studios. The film editing was great, and musical score carefully chosen. I even discovered my favorite song of the week: Wash away, by Sum of You.
The distressing moment: how empty the venue! The Sunday afternoon showing had perhaps a dozen people in the Alfond Auditorium. Friends who attended on Friday reported even more dismal attendance. Perhaps the MFA, with its might mailing lists and plethora of cultural programming, hasn’t quite connected with the fiber community in Boston? I know some MFA staffers create great knits, quilts and multi media journals. Thank goodness someone did reach out to the Rising Star Quilt Guild‘s event page days before the showing, so I was aware of its presence in town!
It was fantastic to see a documentary with textiles as the subject. Do you have any suggestions?
The Common Cod Fiber Guild hosted their first Ignite Craft in 2011. “Ignite” events feature 5 minute slide shows, each slide on the screen for 15 seconds. You get all kinds of viewpoints on a subject. It was quite the entertaining and inspiring evening… if I do say so myself. I was Secretary of the Guild last year and took the opportunity to share a few of the quilts I’d made. Thanks to Brilliant Video, you can see both the 2011 and 2012 videos!
