SWA: Spinning and Weaving Association
Spinning and Weaving Association

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Spinning & Weaving Week
October 4–10, 2008

Sheep-to-Shawl Events: Inspiration for Guilds and Study Groups

Learn of one guild’s experience at two fairs in western Washington that hosted a sheep-to-shawl contest. What a perfect way to celebrate Spinning and Weaving Week! Read the chronicles (pdf) more

From Fiber to Fabric: Spin It! Weave It! You Can Do It!

by Jane Patrick

We hold the future of spinning and weaving in our hands. Spinning & Weaving Week is one opportunity available to us to ensure the growth and prosperity of our market. It allows us to reach out to both spinning and weaving communities and, more importantly, to introduce the general public to the crafts we love.

With this mission in mind, the education committee of SWA has been busy devising a way to create a national identity for Spinning & Weaving Week. Much like what the knit-ins did for the knitting world, our concept should be one that can be carried out in various ways throughout the country to attract new participation in spinning and weaving.

We have come up with a plan to create a fiber-to-fabric celebration that embraces the crafts of weaving and spinning in fun, approachable, and engaging ways. Under the theme of “From Fiber to Fabric: Spin It! Weave It! You Can Do It!” we aim to capitalize on the magical appeal of starting with raw fiber, spinning it, and then weaving it into fabric.

Patterned after the traditional sheep-to-shawl contest, “From Fiber to Fabric: Spin It! Weave It! You Can Do It!” will update this perennial favorite with a series of vibrant events showcasing spinning and weaving. It’s not too early to start planning!

Applicable materials (pdf files):

Your “Fiber to Fabric” Event

Just imagine how many people we could reach if every SWA member sponsored an event that centered on the theme of fiber to fabric. Here are a few ideas to get started.

  • Download the cute coloring sheet (pdf) with the drawing created by Tomie dePaola, famed children’s book author. At your business or local library, sponsor a reading of dePaola’s Charlie Needs a Coat or The Goat in the Rug by Charles L. Blood, Martin Link, and Nancy Winslow Parker. The reading could include a coloring contest.
  • Create a display in your business that shows how fiber becomes fabric. You can find some interesting fact sheets about the process on the American Sheep Industry's web site (click on media and then literature).
  • Find a way to get live animals into your store and advertise their appearance. If there is anything that draws a crowd, it is cute, fiber-bearing animals!
  • Ask your local guild to team up with your business and host demonstrations. Consider a shearing “happy hour” on Friday, a spin-in on Saturday, and a make-it-and-take-it weaving event on Sunday!
  • Take it to the streets! Find the busiest place in town, host a traditional sheep-to-shawl event and donate the proceeds to charity.
  • Ask your local school if you can provide an after-school program or a visit during art class.
  • Don’t forget to invite the media! Send them a press release with a bit of fluff, yarn, and fabric. It will get their attention and make them more likely to respond. The Handweavers Guild of America site has a few generic sample press releases. This is a trial year for the concept so let us know what you think. We aim to build on this grassroots campaign in the following years and make it a national event! Jane Patrick is the chair of SWA’s Education Committee and VP of Sales and Marketing at Schacht Spindle Company. 

Ten Steps to a Successful Spinning & Weaving Week Event!

  • Develop a concept for your “Fiber to Fabric: Spin It! Weave It! You Can Do It!” event
  • Decide what, when, and where, and make a timeline
  • Start earlier than you think you should!
  • Make a to-do list for tasks prior to the event and for tasks the day of the event
  • Solicit volunteers
  • Procure necessary materials and equipment
  • Write a press release, send it to the media two weeks prior to your event, and follow-up the week of the event
  • Celebrate your success and plan for next year’s celebration!

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