Speakers and Demos

SPEAKERS and DEMOS

Salish Weaving, Atheana Picha, Fri. March 20, 2-3pm. Free Lecture

Atheana will explore the history of Salish weaving, including examples of weavings held in museums and institutional collections. We will discuss traditional materials and looms used by Salish weavers, as well as how these practices have evolved over time. The presentation will also look at both historical and contemporary Salish looms and materials, and highlight the important role wool weaving continues to play in Salish culture today. www.atheanapicha.com

How to grow linen, Karla Sandwith, Sat. March 21, 11:45-12:45pm. Free Lecture

Join Karla Sandwith as she describes how she grows flax and turns it into linen cloth, right from her home in Comox, BC. During her presentation, Karla will touch on the botany of the flax plant, explain how to extract its precious fibre to spin and weave, and show examples of her home-grown linen textiles. Karla is a plant scientist, a spinner, a weaver, and a lover of linen textiles. She believes the story of flax is the story of human culture, and she aspires to share that story so it endures and remains relevant.

Fleece, producing, judging and more! Lynne Anderson, Sat. March 21, 2-3pm. Free Lecture.

Join local BC producer, Lynne Anderson of West Coast Colour and Carding for a relaxed, hands-on chat about wool, sheep, and what actually makes a fleece work. We’ll dig into fleece judging without the snobbery — what to look for, what it tells you, and how different fleeces shine depending on whether you spin, felt, weave, or just love wool. Along the way, we’ll talk sheep care, local production realities, and why BC-grown fleece is a little wild, a little wonderful, and always full of character. Expect real talk, lots of touching wool, and a deeper appreciation for the sheep that make it all possible

Come check out the Langley Spinners and Weavers Guild on Friday, March 20 and the Greater Vancouver Weavers & Spinners Guild both days of the show, for demos, hands on weaving, spinning and more. Have you always wanted to sit and spin at a wheel or been curious about how a blended batt will look as yarn? Now's your chance!

The Guilds and their expert teams of fibre artisans will be at their booths all day, please drop by, say hi and get a feel for what a guild is all about.

On Saturday only, The Vancouver Lace Club will be attending giving demos and info on lace making - bobbin, tatting, needle and crochet lace. Be sure to check out their always stunning displays of antique lace, clothing and more.

Friday and Saturday, the Peace Arch Weavers and Spinners (PAWS), will be at their booth demonstrating weaving on a floor loom, table loom, rigid heddle looms and inkle looms. As well as weaving, members will be demonstrating spinning on drop spindles and spinning wheels and fibre preparation.

PAWS meets at the Museum of Surrey on Hwy 10 in Cloverdale and welcomes new members to their regular drop in meetings on Wednesdays. Benefits of the Guild include access to classes, mentoring from other members and an extensive fibre related library. Members interests and expertise include weaving, spinning, felt making, tapestry, dyeing, basket making and knitting.

For both days of the show, BeSharp Sharpening will be joining us. Be sure to bring your scissors, pinking shears, manicure scissor, salon scissors or garden tools and Eric will sharpen them while you shop.