Welcome to Midwest Fiber Arts Trails!
Midwest Fiber Arts Trails is a network of fiber artists and artisans, shops, quilt museums, historical places, farms and arts centers in the Midwest. This is where you can discover resources and inspiration for your own creative expression. And, plan fun trips around the Midwest!
Fiber Arts Trails
Plan a self-guided tour along the Fiber Arts Trails. Be sure to call ahead for open studio times.
Cedarburg Spur Fiber Arts Trail
(Cedarburg – Grafton – Thiensville – Mequon, Wisconsin) – Award-winning galleries, shops and artists make up the member roster on the Cedarburg Spur. Known for historic mills, stone buildings and meandering creeks and rivers; Cedarburg, Grafton and Thiensville are snug as bugs and within ten miles of each other end to end. Each village has its own character but Cedarburg’s iconic downtown is the jewel tucked in the middle. Cedarburg Spur Fiber Arts Trail
Pine to Prairie Fiber Arts Trail
(Bemidji – Solway – Tenstrike, Minnesota) – The word ‘headwaters’ is used a lot around here. Heading north and west out of Itasca before curling around in an easterly fashion, the Mississippi River flows through Lake Bemidji, giving Bemidjians an honest right to call their home the ‘First City’ on the river. The diverse culture in this area mirrors Trail members’ eclectic variety of fiber art. Both share stories of indigenous peoples, voyageurs, settlers and pioneers. Pine to Prairie Fiber Arts Trails
Threaded Streams Fiber Arts Trail
(Baraboo – Portage – Lodi – Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin) – The name Threaded Streams Fiber Arts Trail is an artful reference to the geological formation that makes up this part of Wisconsin. The beautiful Baraboo Hills are remnants of the last ice age when melt water flowed from under the glaciers forming rivers and deep valleys. Today’s streams are like shimmering ribbons, rippling along the surface of the land. Threaded Streams Fiber Arts Trail
Weaving Waters Fiber Arts Trail
(Little Falls – Randall – Brainerd – Staples – Wadena – New York Mills, Minnesota) – Articulture’ — where art is our agriculture! Located right smack-dab in the middle of the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Weaving Waters feature three regional arts centers and offers Trail visitors an opportunity to experience Central Minnesota’s rich textile heritage and celebrate the work of the area’s contemporary fiber artists. Weaving Waters Fiber Arts Trail
Madison Fiber Arts Trail
(Madison, Wisconsin) – Everyone knows Madison is a fun town. Whether you’re a student, bureaucrat or a fiber artist, the chances of finding someone else to share your groove are high. Home to UW-Madison, the town is wide-open high energy and creativity. Balance that with state government HQ and you’ve got a place that’s hip, political and surrounded by cornfields. Madison Fiber Arts Trail
From the blog…
Sedona Wrap Knitting Pattern
I'm always charmed by how the depth of color in hand-dyed yarn can offer sophistication for even the most simple knitting patterns. I call this pattern 'Sedona Wrap' because its copper color...
Profile of a weaver: Carrie Jessen
Carrie Jessen's weaving takes a historical approach. Inspired by weave structures from Colonial times and interested in historic fur trading routes that were spread across northern Minnesota, Carrie weaves bed-sized blankets with the traditional striping and color...
Thread painted art quilt…stitching a blue heron
Living close to woods and lakes in central Minnesota, Kathy frequently sees a blue heron standing in the shallow water at the end of the dock. When presented with a quilting challenge, "June is..." Kathy decided to use her frequent visitor as her interpretation of the...