Fiber Art Almanac artist stories
In-depth stories and pictures from the Almanac.
Midwest Fiber Artist Series: three small thread painted quilts
Rose Allen is part of a collaborative group of art quilters in the Twin Cities who enjoy support, friendship and a lifelong passion for quilting. Rose started quilting many years ago but feels that she found her place when she began to design her quilts from her own...
Vintage style lace-knit jacket
Fiber Artist Snapshot of the Day! Vintage-inspired lace jacket. The design features a signature Crystal Woolsey medallion as well as a combination of several lace patterns. She trims the piece with ribbon and silver buttons. Crystal's signature style reflects her...
Ryijy art form and Finnish Design
While Anita uses many types of fiber and materials to create her work, the two pieces show here are especially unique to her Finnish heritage. They are Ryijy (roo-yoo). Here’s a little history on the Ryijy. The word Ryijy means long-piled rug. For centuries Ryijy were...
Turning vintage wool pants into an abstract art quilt
A little bit about Wendie The composition of Wendie’s fiber art is understated and sophisticated, rich in color with embellishments as an accent; not the story. Wendie’s hand dyed fabrics are her canvas for creative expression. She is inspired by abstract patterns...
Abstract art quilt series inspired by Hubble telescope
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…Susan Antell begins with her own hand dyed wool for her Hubble Space Series of art quilts. Eight quilts in the group, each piece is an abstract artistic representation of photographs taken by the Hubble telescope. Susan lives...
Art imitates life–a quilter’s view of a forest fire
Nancy Birger told me about her husband’s work and how they have moved nine times over the years with assignments from the Fish and Wildlife Service to different parts of the United States. I asked how that influenced her quilting. She then showed me this amazing piece...
…and WHAT happened on the way to the museum?
Strolling along, taking in the ‘style et de charme’ of the Paris streets, Martha and her husband were on their way to the Louvre when out of the corner of her eye, Martha spotted a needlepoint shop. Full stop! Museum can wait! We’re going in! A delightful shop located...
Caring Quilts Day 2013
Caring Quilts Day by Kim Gannaway, Guest Blogger Caring Quilts came to be because of a workshop I was taking back in 1999. The assignment was to create something that you were passionate about, and you couldn’t do it by yourself – you had to create a community to...
Art elements and principles of design in beaded quilts
In the 2013 Almanac I identified twelve artistic references. I call them references because I used a combination of the elements of art and the principles of design. Each month has a designated artistic element or an artistic principle which allows the reader to view...
Two color stranded knitting…the easy way!
This is such an excellent example of a steeked cardigan sweater. The finishing, button loops, button bands and pewter buttons all come together to make it, well, a blue ribbon winner at the 2007 Minnesota State Fair. Michele Buck, who is a masterful knitter, did an...
Sharon Hoiland weaves with knitting yarn
Sharon’s use of multiple gauges of knitting yarn is considered highly innovative to some weavers and heresy to the legacy of weaving according to others. But whatever the opinion, the use of knitting yarn makes for a very soft and comfortable, yet dimensional fabric....
Aimee Radman, Weaver
Aimee has a vertical operation. With ten sheep and one guard llama, she shears the sheep, dyes and spins the wool and then uses it for her weaving projects. She says her process is driven by the seasons where she spends spring and summer dyeing the freshly cut fleece...
New Year, New Rules! Knitting with beads!
Time to add a little sparkle to your knitting? Diane Augustin designed this very popular Art Deco scarf and will show us the mechanics of adding beads to our knitting. She'll demo her techniques from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at the Textile Center in...
New Year, New Rules! Thrum!
Isn't this bulky confetti hand spun yarn fabulous? Kathy Anderson wove it into a purse and will have it to show (and for sale) at the Almanac Showcase coming up this weekend! She will also be on hand to show you how she wove the purse and how she creates beautiful...