Fibrations 2025 – Sunday, 17 August
Fibrations Guild tent 2025! At this year’s tent, we hope to have a strong focus on outreach and engagement. If you have a passion for passing on spinning and weaving to all who are interested, please consider volunteering your time on August 17th at William Stevenson Park and the Fernwood Community Centre. We would like to have one weaving and one spinning volunteer for each 2 hour slot, if possible a 3rd person to help facilitate. The sign up sheet is available on our website under the Forms tab on the home page, or click here to go directly to the form. We are planning to set up spinning wheels and a table loom from the guild. There will also be an area where we ask members to display their work so that the public can see the beautiful things we make. If you would like to provide items for display, please email fibrations@vhwsg.ca
Fibrations 2024 – report from lead organizer
Fibrations 2024 was a hit! The day was busy and so fulfilling. Many came to visit the tent and learned about the guild, tried their hands at weaving or spinning or both. On the heels of a huge uncommon thunderstorm we were unsure how the day would unravel, but the weather held out beautifully. The guild member volunteers were busy teaching and interacting the whole day. Ryan and Bobbie, along with the Fibrations volunteers planned and executed a smooth event. There were many vendors, some old and some new, we were joined this year by Vancouver Island Fibreshed.
I am especially grateful to our volunteers who really stepped up and engaged with some wonderful people who were able to learn so much from their experience. We had many excited people leave knowing how to drop spin with their own CD spindles and a handful of fleece to practice with. We also had a good number of people spend long sessions at the table loom learning the basics and getting inspired. I am always amazed by the wealth of information our members hold and the generosity shown in sharing.
It didn’t get too hot nor did we get wet, aside from some gentle misting early on. Apparently there was a drenching moments after I had left the grounds but most guests and vendors had packed up. As far as unpredictable Victoria goes it was a really lucky day.
This year was the 12th annual Fibrations festival and as far as I could tell it went off without a hitch. Volunteers were there early in the morning along with Ryan and Bobbie setting up and when the vendors showed up their places were well laid out for the set up. It was so nice to see vendors from all over BC, even a few from other provinces. But, it was especially nice to share our space with Sarah and others from The Vancouver Island Fibreshed. Their knowledge and enthusiasm for creating a stronger fibre network will do wonders for our island and province in years to come.
Again, thank you to all who helped and visited the tent. I am immensely grateful and look forward to another year at this wonderful event.
General Information
Fibrations is an annual fibre festival held in Victoria and organized by Knotty by Nature. A park full of tents, and tents full of fibre in all forms – what could be better? A one-of-a-kind public free event and a community celebration of fibre artists for enthusiasts, makers, crafters, the general public and everyone in between! Passionate fibre artists from all over North America come together to celebrate their passion for the fibre arts. For one beautiful day join in to experience workshops, exhibitors, demonstrations open to everyone, hands-on activities for kids, and a toonie raffle.
VHWSG members participate in the festival as a group to explain what the Guild is and does, and to demonstrate our skills. Many members also participate with their own booths and wares.
We can’t do this without volunteers! Volunteers are required to help set up and take down our tent, and to host the public during the festival. We are asking our volunteers to be comfortable with engaging with people of all ages to help spread the love of weaving and spinning. You won’t be alone in the tent – we plan for at least 2 volunteers per shift and there are usually other Guild members dropping by to visit. If you would like to be part of this fantastic event, please sign up for a shift!
(Note that the “we” organizing all this are Guild volunteers, too – maybe you could be an organizer next year!)