The Creative Edge
By Kristi Spencer
Fiber Folks of Southwest Missouri has been a hub for fiber arts enthusiasts since 2000. The group was founded by seven friends who were passionate about preserving the art of spinning, weaving, quilting, knitting and other textile arts. What started as a handful of people gathering to share their love for these crafts has grown into a thriving guild that welcomes members from all skill levels.
The guild’s mission is to provide education about various fiber arts and promote an appreciation of these skills, which were once essential to daily life. By demonstrating fiber arts at schools, nursing homes, museums and festivals, Fiber Folks helps the public appreciate the labor and history behind every fabric, clothing and art piece. Through these demonstrations, members teach the importance of preserving these traditions and help others understand the effort involved in creating something as simple as a pair of socks or a quilt.
The most popular fiber arts practiced by Fiber Folks members are spinning, weaving and quilting. These crafts have been passed down through generations, and many members practice several types of fiber arts.
“We often tease each other that we pull each other down the rabbit hole of various fiber arts,” says Debra Horner, the president of Fiber Folks. “I actually do not know of anyone who sticks to just one thing.”
To celebrate the guild’s 25th year, they will host “A Trip Along a Fiber Road” June 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the First Community Church in Joplin. Their handcrafted pieces will come to life through displays, demonstrations and hands-on opportunities at this event. Visitors can try their hand at different variations of spinning and weaving. Quilting enthusiasts can learn about different patterns, fabric types and techniques for assembling a quilt. Additionally, a historical documentary will be playing where folks can enjoy learning about textile arts that are not on display. The event will also honor the two remaining founding mothers and celebrate the guild’s 25 years together.
In addition to the June event, Fiber Folks holds monthly meetings for its 45 members on the third Sunday of each month. These meetings are open to the public and offer an opportunity for members to socialize, learn and share their latest projects. The group also has specialized study groups focused on spinning and weaving, which meet more frequently to help members explore these crafts in more detail.
An educational program or demonstration often focuses on a specific art or technique each month. One recent session, for example, explored what to do with leftover yarn scraps, offering practical tips for using materials that might otherwise go to waste. The group also has annual challenges that encourage members to think outside the box and expand their skills. This year’s challenge is representing one or more seasons through their work.
Fiber Folks also organizes an annual three-day retreat in November. This retreat provides an opportunity for participants to immerse themselves in the art and gain hands-on experience. This year’s retreat will focus on Four Shaft Weaving, giving participants a chance to expand their knowledge and refine their skills.
One of the things Debra values most about Fiber Folks is the sense of community and camaraderie it provides. “The best part is being with people with similar interests,” she says. “They understand the fiber language. ‘Let’s get warped’ has a wholly different meaning to fiber folks versus frat boys!”
The guild is a supportive group where members can share their successes, help each other solve problems and cheer one another on.
The guild also has equipment for members to rent, so they can try a new technique without making a big investment. The artists are also always happy to share their expertise with those starting something new.
“Since we are all traveling along the fiber road, you can rest assured one of us has made the mistake the beginner is trying to fix,” Debra says.
The most important thing for newbies to remember about fiber art is patience. “My first three spools looked like a blind drunk goat spun them,” Debra admits of her early tries to spin yarn. “One was horribly under spun, one under plied and one was lumpy. But number four looked like yarn, woohoo!”
While some may think of fiber arts as a slow and outdated process, Debra sees them as an antidote to the fast-paced, instant-gratification culture we live in today.
“I believe understanding the fiber arts gives a greater appreciation for the past,” she says. “When the Education Unit teaches fiber processing to high school students, they have a new appreciation as to why pioneers only had a few sets of clothes. We go through the sheep shearing, washing, combing, carding, spinning and weaving, and it dawns on them that making clothes was not quick and easy. Many tell me they enjoy the process.
“It slows life down. And at the end, you have something beautiful to be proud of,” Debra says. For many, creating something by hand offers a sense of fulfillment that’s hard to find in other aspects of life.
As the guild celebrates 25 years of fiber fun, its members are reflecting and evolving. Debra says she sees an increasing interest as homesteading and subsistence living gain popularity.
“These skills are becoming more mainstream and acceptable,” she notes. “For a long time, folks considered knitting and crocheting ‘grandma’ skills. Not everyone who practices fiber arts is a grandma.”
If you’re interested in learning more about Fiber Folks of Southwest Missouri, attending an event or exploring fiber arts yourself, the best way to connect is through their Facebook page, Fiber Folks of SW MO.