September is FIBER Month - Special Events, Free Demos and Workshops
~~ creating the fabric of community ~~
In recognition of the deep roots that Monroe and Walton County has in fiber arts (historically growing, ginning and milling cotton) MWCA is proud to host our First Annual Fiber Show. This Show opens September 6. "Techniques and Traditions" is a celebration of the long-standing importance of fiber in our community. Our grandmothers did not Facebook - they had quilting bees to create a real community and lovely quilts. They did not visit Belks for a new frock - they made their own clothes and often trimmed, hemmed and repaired their clothes until they went into the rag pile. They were "green" long before anyone ever thought of an Earth Day or "upcyling"! Resourceful and thrifty, our ancestors made things of beauty and utilitarian items alike from fabric - and often made the fabric itself from cotton and wool. Join with us and celebrate the ancient - and the new! - arts that use fiber and fiber techniques for clothing, jewelry, home goods, art and even paper!
FREE EVENTS AND DEMONSTRATIONS
Get tangled up in a tapestry of classes and free events during our Fiber Month Celebration in September!
Thursday, Sept 27
Saturday, Sept 29
Help us say adieu (til next year!) to our fabulous Fiber Show with these events in our Sculpture Garden :
* Grassfed beef sliders provided by Adams Farms: 2 sliders and a bag of chips for $5.
* Lemonade stand
* Acoustic music provided by Zach Coffman
* Spinning wheel demo
* Mohair goats on the lawn
Also a community project - bird nest warmer -- help us take down the string our of our trees and you can create a structure to hang in your yard so critters can line their nests.
Get tangled up in a tapestry of classes and free events during our Fiber Month Celebration in September!
Thursday, Sept 27
- 4 pm - 7 pm: Rug hooking demo by Ginger Hudgins
Saturday, Sept 29
Help us say adieu (til next year!) to our fabulous Fiber Show with these events in our Sculpture Garden :
* Grassfed beef sliders provided by Adams Farms: 2 sliders and a bag of chips for $5.
* Lemonade stand
* Acoustic music provided by Zach Coffman
* Spinning wheel demo
* Mohair goats on the lawn
Also a community project - bird nest warmer -- help us take down the string our of our trees and you can create a structure to hang in your yard so critters can line their nests.
Classes

Peruvian wire looping
Sat, Sept. 29th @ 12-2
Instructor: Maria Ramos
Ages 12 +
Fee: $20 members, $25 non-members
REGISTER HERE
One of the oldest fiber construction techniques ever discovered is Peruvian looping. Maria Ramos has taken this basic technique and crafted it into 21st century wearable adornment.
Supply & equipment cost $12 paid to instructor at the time of class. Various colors of wires and beads will be available. Participants are welcome to bring their own beads & baubles.
Sat, Sept. 29th @ 12-2
Instructor: Maria Ramos
Ages 12 +
Fee: $20 members, $25 non-members
REGISTER HERE
One of the oldest fiber construction techniques ever discovered is Peruvian looping. Maria Ramos has taken this basic technique and crafted it into 21st century wearable adornment.
Supply & equipment cost $12 paid to instructor at the time of class. Various colors of wires and beads will be available. Participants are welcome to bring their own beads & baubles.

Needle Felting
Sat, Sept 29th @ 1-3
Instructor: Rachel Frank
Ages 10+
Fee: $20 members, $25 for non-members.
Supplies: $10, paid to the instructor at time of class
REGISTER HERE
Learn the basics of 2D needle felting and “paint” your very own wool masterpiece during the class. Tools will be available for use.
Rachel Frank has been working in several different fiber mediums for over seven years and is currently a senior art major at Georgia College in Milledgeville.
Sat, Sept 29th @ 1-3
Instructor: Rachel Frank
Ages 10+
Fee: $20 members, $25 for non-members.
Supplies: $10, paid to the instructor at time of class
REGISTER HERE
Learn the basics of 2D needle felting and “paint” your very own wool masterpiece during the class. Tools will be available for use.
Rachel Frank has been working in several different fiber mediums for over seven years and is currently a senior art major at Georgia College in Milledgeville.

Basket and Rug making with wrapping technique
$25 members, $30 non-members plus $5 supply fee
Ages 12+
REGISTER HERE
Enjoy the ancient, relaxing art of basket making. You will learn several techniques that can be used to make containers or extremely durable rugs. Varieties of flexible materials such as rope, crochet thread, yarn, sisal, twine or jute can be used. By the end of the class you will have all the skills needed to create your own designs with any material.
Supplies- 6 yards 1/2 “ thick rope nylon or cotton, assorted yarns or strips of fabric, 2 embroidery needles (#5, very large dull tipped needle) and good fabric scissors.
Bring your own or purchase at time of class. $5 paid to instructor at time of class.
- Thurs, Sept 27 from 1-3
$25 members, $30 non-members plus $5 supply fee
Ages 12+
REGISTER HERE
Enjoy the ancient, relaxing art of basket making. You will learn several techniques that can be used to make containers or extremely durable rugs. Varieties of flexible materials such as rope, crochet thread, yarn, sisal, twine or jute can be used. By the end of the class you will have all the skills needed to create your own designs with any material.
Supplies- 6 yards 1/2 “ thick rope nylon or cotton, assorted yarns or strips of fabric, 2 embroidery needles (#5, very large dull tipped needle) and good fabric scissors.
Bring your own or purchase at time of class. $5 paid to instructor at time of class.