4th Annual Fiber Faire

Saturday, September 19 

 

A Celebration of Fiber Arts, Heritage, and Sustainability

 

Join us for a village-wide celebration of heritage fiber arts and contemporary crafts. Enjoy demonstrations and hands-on activities in embroidery, weaving, quilting, knitting, crochet, lace tatting, basketry, rug hooking, and more—plus family-friendly fun like a Stuffed Animal Repair Hospital, food vendors, and artisan booths.

 

The museum will host a first-floor open house featuring Rugs: Fiber Art Under Foot. This exhibit will also include a special showcase of master rug hookers demonstrating their craft. In the Twilight House parlor, visitors can explore the Vermont Schoolgirl Sampler Exhibit.  

 

Early Bird Tickets – $10 per car*

Day of Admission – $15 per car

*Early Bird Tickets available through Sept 16

 

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE

 

 

Event Highlights

• Keynote Speaker, Eve Jacobs-Carnahan, at 10am (Located at Congregational Church)
• Fiber Artist Market and Demonstrations starting at 11am until 4:30p
• Silent Auction
• Fiber Stories from Around the World, at 2pm (Family Area – Homestead)
• Stuffed Animal Repair Hospital (Homestead)
• Garment Mending Help Desk—advice from skilled volunteers. Bring a garment needing repair from home!
• First Floor Open House & New Exhibit, Rugs: Fiber Art Under Foot (Old Stone House)
• NEW THIS YEAR—Workshops! Pre-Registration Required and Now Open (see details below)
  • Recycled Rug Braiding Workshop
  • Felted Soap Workshop
  • Please Note—Registration for workshops covers the cost of the instruction and materials only. All workshop participants are also asked to purchase a Fiber Faire parking pass, which serves as admission to the event. Thank you for your support and understanding. 

 

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Recycled Rug Braiding Workshop

Turning Yesterday’s Clothes into Tomorrow’s Heirloom Rugs

Instructor/ Rug Braider: Anna Overmoyer (Aka Raggedy Anna)

1:00pm (duration 45 to 60 minutes) / Brownington Congregational Church

Give old fabrics new life! Discover the timeless art of braided rug making while exploring sustainability, creativity, and traditional handcrafts. Learn how worn or cherished clothing can be transformed into beautiful, functional textile art that can be treasured for generations. The workshop begins with a short slideshow introducing the history and purpose of recycled textile arts, followed by step-by-step, hands-on instruction. Participants will create a small braided trivet or the beginning of a braided rug using a four-strand braiding method. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

 

Skill Level: Beginner–Intermediate

Workshop Fee: $10

REGISTER HERE

 

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Felted Soap Workshop

Instructor/ Felter and Weaver: Deborah Henry

3:00pm (duration 45-60 min) / Grammar School

Ages: Adults and children ages 8 and up (must be accompanied by a participating adult)

Using colorful wool fibers and a bar of soap, participants will learn the basics of wet felting while creating a beautiful felted soap to take home. A felted soap is both practical and decorative, adding a handcrafted artistic touch to any bathroom. No prior experience is necessary, and all materials are provided.

Workshop Fee: $10 (+$5 materials cost to instructor on-site). PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

REGISTER HERE

 

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Keynote Talk — Crafting Activism from the American Revolution to Today

Featured at the Brownington Congregational Church at 10-11am

Using craft to demystify democracy is how artist Eve Jacobs-Carnahan describes Knit Democracy Together. Eve will provide an overview of women’s historical use of textile crafts for social activism reaching back to the American Revolution and describe how her project fits into the broader context of modern-day craftivism, where fiber arts become a powerful tool for civic dialogue and engagement. This keynote invites participants to consider how fiber arts can bridge history, activism, and community in meaningful and unexpected ways.

 

Eve Jacobs-Carnahan started her public art project Knit Democracy Together in 2020. An artist and former election lawyer, she has held nearly 30 Knit Democracy circles, collaborating with New Hampshire Humanities, the Boston Public Library, and others. Eve’s chapter about Knit Democracy Together appears in the book Global Craftivism since the Pussyhats (Bloomsbury Publishing 2026). Eve’s narrative sculptures respond to issues in society using bird figures and the softness of knitting to approach difficult topics. She was named a 2022 Creative Community Fellow New England by National Arts Strategies. She lives in Montpelier, Vermont. More information about Eve can be found on her website.

 

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Don’t Miss the Pre-Fiber Faire Talk & Slide Presentation—

Rugs: Fiber Art Under Foot

 

Saturday, September 5, 2-3pm at Brownington Congregational Church

 

Join local rug maker and teacher Mary Ragno for an engaging talk and slide presentation exploring the rich history and artistry of hooked and braided rugs. Through examples from the Old Stone House Museum’s historic rug collection, Mary will share the stories of Orleans County rug makers and designers while exploring the materials, techniques, patterns, and countless hours of craftsmanship that went into creating these beautiful works of art. Ever wondered where the terms “penny rug” and “coffin rug” originated? You’ll discover the fascinating history behind these traditional forms as well. This special presentation is the perfect way to build excitement for the Fiber Faire on Saturday, September 19, and offers a wonderful opportunity to deepen your appreciation for one of New England’s most enduring fiber arts. Admission – $10

Rugs: Fiber Art Under Foot