Helping those in need is second nature to many people and I think it’s the glue that keeps communities together. As simple as bringing a casserole ’round or on a much larger scale, rural families harvesting crops for a neighbor in distress. Lending a hand....
Profile of an Artist: Ron Turney Describe your primary type of work: Traditional Arts–Quill work How long have you been doing this? Five months, my teacher said I’m a natural! Please describe your work as it’s linked to your location, traditions,...
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...
A list of 10 (+1) quilting and knitting mysteries series! Okay, so they’re not literature—we know that but love to read them anyway. Curled up in a chair with a decent reading light and a glass of wine on the table, we’re completely engrossed in the plot twists of the...
The Pine to Prairie Fiber Arts Trail welcomes Kate Anderson to northern Minnesota on Grand Opening Weekend! Nationally known textile artist Kate Anderson kicks off the Pine to Prairie Fiber Arts Trail with her talk entitled, “How Knotting Rewove My Life”...
Introduction: Fiber Art Almanac: Essays from the American Midwest The Quilt Maker’s Story It’s time to get back to writing and picture taking and sharing what I love best about textiles and fiber art in the American Midwest. I’ve heard so many stories from you; how...
This summer Rob purchased tomato, cuke and a variety of pepper plants and started his first garden. As an engineer, Rob immediately assessed the environment and began to make modifications for potential maximum yield. After much discussion regarding pot size; he...
With a degree in environmental anthropology from Wagner College and three years of study at the Fashion Institute of Technology of New York, Keila McCracken’s goal is to bring her two worlds together. Strongly influenced by her values of environmental sustainability,...
Welcome Heidi Parkes, our newest member of the Cedarburg Spur Fiber Arts Trail! Coming from an art background, Heidi says sometimes it takes quite a bit of planning and figuring to do something that would be ‘so easy’ with paint or collage. There are so many art ideas...
I sent her the ‘Artist Questionnaire’ I ask everyone to fill out. “But I’m not an artist!” was her reply. I said fill it out anyway; people should know more about you. I think we should know more about the people behind the scenes, most of whom are volunteers who make...
Award-winning fiber sculptor Barbara Riegel Bend aspires to tell a story about relationships and connections between people. Mid-June I ventured out on a short trip east to meet fiber sculptor Barbara Riegel Bend in her studio. She shares a space filled with floor...
“From the chaos of a thousand leaves a tree emerges, rocks become hills, drops of water become lakes and rivers. Each half-hitch knot is a metaphor and testimony to the capacity of small things to transpire into landscapes.” –Karen-lisa Forbes Karen works small...
Welcome to the Pine to Prairie Fiber Arts Trail! I was introduced to this area through knotting artists Dawn Standera and Karen-lisa Forbes. Two years ago, I sought outstanding fiber artists from the Midwest to include in the 2014 Fiber Art Almanac. By a stroke of...
Between all the county and state fairs and the five Midwest quilt museums; we’re not living in the Corn Belt, we’re living in the ‘Quilt Belt!’ Some of the more venerable Midwestern summertime activities in rural communities are county and...
Flowery Cloth: Paj Ntaub November 2015 marks the 40th anniversary of the Hmong migration to Minnesota following the war in Southeast Asia. Today, the Twin Cities metro area is home to 66,000 Hmong, the largest urban Hmong population in the United States. Developed in...
I thought it was time to reconnect with Peggy and see where she has taken her work with fabric. Peggy was included in the 2013 Almanac for her beadwork. One of her two quite large necklaces is shown below. This beautiful pieces shows fabric beading and sculpting...
I always look forward to a drive so when Paulette mentioned she was going to be at a wool retreat in Wabasha, MN, I decided to take myself on a little day trip. This was late September and most of the fall colors along the Great River Road had turned into muted...
Mary Mendla is an apparel designer, knitter, dyer and teacher from Grafton, Wisconsin. Mary has two labels, Facets Fashion and Affluere Yogawear. Both are complete wardrobe systems inspired by the wondrous beauty present in every woman. Mary is a member of the...
Nancee Arigano is a fun, bubbly person full of energy. Within 10 minutes of first meeting her, I knew I had to try ‘primsical’ punchneedle, too! Nancee loves all needle arts but focuses on punch needle and a little rug hooking in her shop/studio....
Ilze Heider creates stunning leather handbags which combine Latvian motifs, bold, rich colors and timeless style. Ilze’s studio is a warm, comfortable place in the Arts Mill in Grafton, Wisconsin and she would love for you to visit. Please call ahead...
Beer, batts and bikes I realize those items may be listed in the wrong order as this story is about Midwest woolen mills but there is a happy association between local fiber (in the sheep variety), local fiber (in the beverage variety) and local bike trails. Each of...
Sheryl Thies is an accomplished pattern writer. With seven books to her credit, she understands the work schedule behind yarn type and color selection. For all of us who would like to sally forth into the pattern writing realm, it requires a great deal of commitment. ...
Corded Summer Fruit Tunisian Crochet Shawl Pattern Just in time for summer, this charming shawl pattern is a great take-along for dining alfresco on summer cool evenings by the lake. Designed by 7-time pattern author Sheryl Thies from Madison, Wisconsin and crocheted...
Thank you for attending my talk at the Wisconsin Museum of Quilt & Fiber Arts University Days! I really enjoyed meeting you and sharing my stories! I made a reference list with links and locations of the places around the Midwest I presented. It’s in PDF...
‘Show me how and I will master it.’ St. Paul, Minnesota knitter Paula Knutzen loves knitting, chatting and getting together with like-minded friends. Her ‘knitting production’ is prolific, taking on new challenges and very difficult color and lace patterns with...
