Fibre Fair for textile artistry

TEXTILE artists and their creations are in the spotlight once again as the Bendigo Annual Artisans Fibre Fair takes place from today until Sunday.Now in its 11th year, the fair is at the North Bendigo Bowls Club in Fenton Street and is open from 10am to 5pm today, 9am to 5pm tomorrow and 9am to 2pm on Sunday.

Ten textile artisans from around the region are participating, offering demonstrations, supplies, kits and retail stalls.

Among those represented are Kaye Adolphson Designs and Yarns, Pure Wool Handknits, The Sock Maker, Changeling Coloured Yarns and Tumbly Downs Mohair.

Crafts on display include spinning, weaving, knitting, crochet, basket-making, hand-dyed gradient wool and silk yarns, and Australian cotton sliver and lint.

An angora rabbit breeder who produces fibre and yarn and an angora goat breeder who hand-spins, weaves and dyes mohair are also demonstrating their skills, while socks created on an antique circular sock-making machine are on show.

Snacks and refreshments are available from the fair’s ‘Baa Maids.’

Fair co-organiser Lisa Howard said the objective is to showcase smaller independent operators and their handmade creations.

The fair complements the Australian Sheep and Wool Show and the Bendigo Woollen Mills but is not formally affiliated with them.

Ms Howard said the fair regularly drew visitors from throughout Victoria and even interstate, and could inspire people to take up textile hobbies or resume them if they had been active in the past.

“Newcomers to textiles through to experienced crafters are catered for in a warm and relaxed space,” Ms Howard said.

“Lovely home-cooked food, tea, coffee, toilets and somewhere to sit helps visitors relax and enjoy.

“Whether you enjoy your own textile passions or appreciate quality, handmade designs, the Bendigo Artisans Annual Fibre Fair has something for everyone.”

Entry is by a $2 coin.