Saturday, September 20, 2025 from 11:30am-4pm

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.

 

 

More Info—

This vibrant, village-wide event celebrates the beauty, tradition, and innovation of textile and fiber arts inviting visitors of all ages to enjoy a day of demonstrations, exhibits, vendors, and educational activities. Bring your walking shoes and step into a celebration of creativity at this year’s expanded Faire, beginning at the Twilight House gift shop and unfolding across the museum’s historic village. Spend the day exploring the museum, historic buildings and village greens alive with fiber demonstrations, artisan showcases, and captivating exhibits. Watch masterful artists at work in embroidery, cross-stitch, crochet, knitting, lace making, rug hooking, rug braiding, quilting, spinning, weaving, paper arts, and contemporary upcycled creations. Discover the beauty of basketry and the timeless appeal of natural fibers like birchbark, cattails, and flax. Whether you’re an avid maker or simply curious, you’ll find inspiration and creativity around every corner.

 

The museum will host a first-floor open house featuring Under the Seams and Behind the Scenes of the Museum Collections, a fiber-themed display that highlights the skill and dedication required to preserve our textile holdings. 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 Driving Tour, which presents samplers from across the state alongside pieces from our own collection—including one stitched in 1818 by Mercy Ladd Twilight, created at just 13 years old before she became the wife of Alexander Twilight. 

 

The day will feature a keynote address by Mary Ann Stewart at 11:30 AM in the Brownington Congregational Church. Stewart, an artist and environmental advocate, returns for a second year to address the global issue of textile waste and sustainable practices in the fashion and fiber industries. Following her talk, she will host a display and interactive showcase of her upcycled creations on the Grammar School grounds. (View her work at freshcercle.com.)

 

Event Highlights Include:

• Live demonstrations in a wide variety of fiber arts: rug braiding, embroidery, knitting, crochet, lace, weaving, spinning, contemporary upcycling and recycling and more.
  
• Natural fiber artists working with birch bark, cattails, and flax.
  
• Hands-on opportunities and artisan interaction throughout the Historic Village.
  
• Family Friendly – Stuffed Animal Repair Hospital and family activity area in the Homestead Building. Children should bring their favorite “stuffies” needing mending, love and repair to our skilled “ stitching nurses”
  
• Garment mending services and advice from skilled volunteers. Bring a garment needing repair from home
  
• The Vermont Sampler Initiative exhibit, in partnership with the Sampler Archive Project, on display at the Twilight House parlor room. Discover the needlework, artistry, and stories passed down from the daughters and granddaughters of Revolutionary War veterans.
  
• A Silent Auction of fiber-related goods to support museum activities.

A full program and artist lineup will be available at the museum’s gift shop two weeks prior to the event and on the day of at the Church, Twilight House and Grammar School registration tables. You may also request a program by email at [email protected].

Admission:

Adults: Suggested $8–$10  |  Children under 16: Free

 

Artists & Vendors—

 Where will I find the participants? See initials after their bio’s below…  KEY:  M – Museum, HH – Hall House,  GS – Grammar School, GSG – Grammar School Green, ATH – Alexander Twilight Homestead, TWH – Twilight House, BC – Brownington Church 

 

Keynote Address: Mary Ann Stewart, from Lexington, MA will deliver the keynote address at the Brownington Church at 11:30 a.m. Following her talk, she will host a hands-on mending and creative upcycling showcase and lounge under the tent on the Green from 1:30–3:00 p.m. Mary Ann is a fiber artist and founder of fresh cercle, where she creates small-batch clothing, home goods, and curiosities from remnant textiles, plant-based dyes, and ethically sourced materials. A lifelong stitcher and sustainability advocate, her work blends craftsmanship with climate-conscious practice to inspire connection and care through handmade design.  BC

 

Event Coordinator – Dana Karuza, the museum’s On-site Education Director. A creative generalist with a primary focus in felting, Dana explores a wide array of fiber arts and brings that curiosity to every aspect of her work. She claims to lack mastery, with her true talent being teaching and coordinating programs.  Many of this year’s presenters are part of the network she has cultivated through years of teaching, organizing, and making.

 

Event planning committee – The Old Stone House Museum staff, Mary Ragno, Tara Lynn Scheidet, Jacqueline Meyer, Linda Rhodes. A sincere thank you to the  large number of volunteers who make this event possible. 

 

Artist Biographies, Alphabetized by Last Name

 

Benjamin, Laura
A lifetime fiber arts enthusiast who began sewing and quilting in her formative years and went on to explore spinning on a wheel, then on a spindle. She continues to explore dyeing wool to alleviate boredom, then knitting and weaving to use up all that yarn!  GSG 

 

Boardman, Becky  – A graduate of Maryland Institute College of Art eons ago and later became an art teacher in the NEK of Vermont.  In recent years she has been very involved with book arts and is an active member of Vermont Book Arts Guild. Her work may be seen, sporadically, in book arts exhibits in New England and beyond.  HH to 3pm

 

Briggs, Miriam – Miriam has been knitting for as long as she can remember and for just shy of 20 years owned “Wool Away” in Saint Johnsbury, Vermont.  She will be demonstrating knitting “backwards” and entrelac, as entrelac is easier if you know how to knit “backwards”. HH

 

Brehm, Lian – Lian has worked in her Walden, VT studio for over 30 yrs., primarily in paper sculpture. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. She is the recipient of several awards and residencies including from the Blanche Colman Foundation, Freeman Foundation, VT Studio Center and La Huipilista ArtSpace in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

 

Carroll, Beth
Master inkle loom weaver. An inkle loom is generally a portable, often inexpensive, and easily handmade little 2-shaft loom. It creates bands that historically were used to tether farm animals, tie things, or decorate clothing. Today, they can be dog leashes, camera/cell phone cases, shoelaces, and more. Her shoelaces made from embroidery floss won “judges’ choice” at a weaving guild show.  GSG 

 

Cluba, Elliot – the owner of Herbs and Arrows, working as an herbalist, wilderness and traditional skills educator, martial arts instructor, and holistic health consultant.  He spent many years immersing in traditional living skills through the Roots School in Bradford, VT and applying the skills seasonally. Elliot will be demonstrating how to make a cattail sleeping mat and also showcase his birch bark basketry.   ATH 

 

Crocker, Dale – Founder of NEK Fibers. Enthusiast of all things fiber: Master Spinner, Knitter, Natural Dyer.  Dale will be sharing the changing technologies of spinning with his treadle to electric spinners and showcase his knitting. GS

 

Day, Betsy
Weaver/fiber artist. She has been weaving for most of her life and specializes in abstract tapestries inspired by nature, moons over lakes, and sunsets. As a historian, she has volunteered for decades weaving on the barn loom at the Old Stone House. She sells her work at the MAC Center for the Arts (Newport) and Caspian Arts Grange (Greensboro).  GSG 

 

Day-Gibson, Peggy – former Old Stone House Executive Director and Heritage Arts enthusiast and coordinator. Peggy still volunteers with our buildings and grounds crew and will be at this year’s faire in the Family Area demonstrating rope making.  ATH 11-1

 

Dore, Nancy
Has been doing counted cross stitch as a hobby for over 40 years, using kits, patterns, her own designs, Danish, and waste canvas to create pieces for friends, family, and herself. TWH

 

Dreher, Gemma and Mary Kay – Mary Kay and Gemma Dreher have been knitting and crocheting for over 50 years. Taught by their grandmother as little girls, the sisters embrace fiber art and use their craft to teach potential makers of all ages, and in all types of settings.  They are both passionate about innovating and mastering new techniques.  ATH 

 

Gratton, Nicole – long time museum volunteer and Fiber Arts enthusiast. Nicole has an engaging, warm personality that meets our youth with a warm smile and a creative spirit.  ATH 

 

Gratton, Iris and Robin– young fiber artist Iris will have a stack of homemade potholders for sale and will be joined by her sister Robin with baked goodies. Come see these young entrepreneurs at Potholders and Petite Eats. – Cookies, mini cheesecakes, brownies, and more!  GSG 

 

Guest, Carolyn – Master paper cutter, Carolyn Guest, a St. Johnsbury resident is one of only a handful of folk artists in Vermont devoted to the art of paper cutting. What began as a way to pass time as a child living on a farm at the end of a dead-end road in Lyndon has evolved into an art form that now graces thousands of homes and businesses, and one year, even the White House. GS

 

Harvey, Debra – has completed her undergraduate degree in Weaving and Allied Disciplines from Prescott College in 1988. She has studied in Peru learning contemporary weaving, spinning and dying techniques. Currently, she is teaching Spanish at Lake Region Union, where she hopes to connect to students interested in the fiber arts to create items for those in need. Living abroad in Chinchero, Perú Deborah studied the contemporary weaving, and spinning.  GSG 

 

Hinton, Noreen – Noreen Hinton made her first hand sewn crazy quilt in 1977 from scraps saved from sewing her own clothes. 40 years and 10+ hand pieced, hand quilted projects later, she continues to combine her love of color and patterns to create award-winning quilts. As a member and later Vice President of The North Country Quilters. Guild she continues to learn new techniques and hone her skills as well as continuing the hand work she loves. Noreen’s quilts will be on display in the Hall House bedrooms. HH

 

Hisson, Donna Has had a lifelong fascination with the fiber arts, learning to knit and crochet as a child and later to weave and spin as an adult. She processes raw wool, spins yarn, and uses it in knit, crochet, and weaving projects. She continues to learn and enjoys sharing her knowledge. Website: CrabappleHillHomestead.com  GSG 

 

Hoyt, Mary- Committed museum tour guide and volunteer, Mary works with our collections team with a particular passion for textiles. She will be in the museum itself during the faire with a display table titled Under the Seams and Behind the Scenes of the Museum Collections, a fiber-themed display that highlights the skill and dedication required to preserve our textile holdings. M 

 

Johnson, Kate – Kate is on the Old Stone House Museum Education staff team. She is “Nurse Kate” at the Animal Repair Hospital and coordinates the vendors at the Homestead Family and Primitive Skills area.  ATH 

 

Kemp, Luanne – Luanne will be up in the area from Pennsylvania visiting family and will be demonstrating block printing on fabric in the Grammar School. GS

 

Kennedy, Pam – Our third year silent auction coordinator! Pam Kennedy is a fiber arts supporter and community activist – most notably and recently with the Barton Giving Garden  GSG 

 

Longchamps,Susan – Long time NEK rughooker and coordinator of rug hooking talent across the Kingdom will join our faire in the museum with six of her guild members who meet at the Burke Mt. Club House. M 

 

Majchrzak, Ellie – a popular multi-year mender at our faire. Ellie has participated in all three of our past events. Bring a torn item and if there is time, Ellie will gladly stitch up your garment with a creative touch or offer advice how to repair at home. GS

 

Markalis, Skye – Skye is the Education Director at the Ethan Allen Homestead and will be joining us at the Fiber Faire with her skills in processing Flax to Linen.  ATH 

 

Meyer, Jacqueline – long time museum volunteer and talented quilter/ upcycler and rughooker. Jacqueline  will be showcasing – Feed Bags to Tote Bags in the Twilight House, an amazing upcycling venture keeping those feed bags out of the landfill! TWH

 

Mead, Courtney Courtney Mead of North Troy loves everything from doing his own plumbing to baking bread and working as a blacksmith. Not many people know, however, that he loves weaving too. Although he doesn’t have sheep anymore, he did have a small flock at one time and would take the fleece to Bartlett Yarns in Maine where he would receive brightly colored wool yarns in return. He will have those yarns at the FF this year!  GSG 

 

Miller, Melanie – A popular vendor and master basket maker and chair caner,  Melanie’s Woven Memories – feature’s caned chairs & rocker, footstools, benches, doll chairs & baskets. Come see her fabulous display and chat with her about her craft.  GSG 

 

Mutrux, Barbara – Is a master fiber artist from Craftsbury. She will be demonstrating various felting techniques at her display in an engaging hands on manner. Barbara has explored nuno, vessel making, natural dying, ecoprinting and will be demonstrating a felting technique at the faire.  (pending) 

 

Occaso, Romela
Designer of one-of-a-kind bags from upcycled clothing and vintage finds. Each bag is handcrafted, giving new life to fabrics with a past. Facebook: Romela Occaso  

 

Quiron, Tracy- A popular basket weaving teacher in the NEK. Tracy challenges herself with new designs for her students and teaches children’s classes as well as classes for adults at the museum. Stop in and see this master basket maker and chat with Tracy about her upcoming classes.  GSG 

 

Ragno, Mary (event co-coordinator) Mary Ragno is a rug braider from Danville, VT, with 30+ years of experience. She creates and sells braided rugs and supplies from her home studio, teaches the craft to others, and provides repair services for vintage braided rugs. Since 2016, Mary has led workshops at the Old Stone House Museum focused on rug braiding as a heritage fiber craft and fosters a growing community of rug braiders.  GSG 

 

Rhodes, Linda – Quilter and upcycler, Linda has been involved with our Faire since it’s inception as a planning committee member. She is an exhibiting artist at the Peacham Corner Guild and an enthusiast of all things fiber. Linda is on the event planning committee and responsible for our boots on the ground postering. Thank you!   GSG 

 

Samsara, Sarrah (Sachki’s Knot Closet)
West Glover, VT.  Handmade crochet creatures & wearables: A crafty fae tucked in the depths of the Northeast Kingdom is here to remind you that toys aren’t just for kids! That just a strand of yarn can keep you quite warm, and whatever your imagination works up, she can bring it to life. Skilled, crafty, creative and imaginative she is sure to inspire.  Instagram: @knotcloset  GSG 

 

Sherman, Jessica
A lifelong creative from Monroe, NH. Learned upcycling from family motto: “use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.” Has been sewing with old jeans since 1993. Works with paper, fabric, wool, paint, glass, wood, and more. GS

 

Scheidet, Tara Lynn –
Master textile artist, has created custom natural fiber clothing and hemp wedding gowns since 1999. Began wearable art Earth Bitch® Jackets in 2005, each dedicated to endangered species. Uses recycled fabrics and sustainably sourced natural fibers (cotton, silk, linen, hemp blends). Known for embroidery and appliqué.  “My love of nature is shared by my clients and is incorporated into each garment with embroidered birds and butterflies, hand painted trout or appliquéd mushrooms. I continue to use recycled fabrics and sustainably sourced materials as my canvas; working primarily with natural fabrics like organic cotton, silk, linen and hemp blends. I make eco couture” – Tara Lynn HH

 

Stoddert, Aprile – Aprile has been tatting since 1988 and likes to challenge herself with micro tatting, including a butterfly that is half the size of a grain of rice.  “Tatting is the art of making lace by tying knots into thread using a shuttle or needles. The resulting lace, while exquisitely delicate, is incredibly strong. Aprile challenges herself with micro tatting and has made a butterfly the size of a grain of sand. A don’t miss at her display table. HH

 

Templeman, David / Teuber, Liz – Come say hello to the friendly ewes of Roving Tale Farm, located right here in Brownington. Farmers David and Liz are bringing a few of their Icelandic sheep for you to meet and pet. While their sheep are primarily raised for meat, the unique Icelandic wool they produce is perfect for all sorts of projects.

 

Tulp, Bill – Art Educator and museum education volunteer. Bill offer needle felting demonstrations and give visitors an opportunity to try their hand at this popular craft, showcasing community collaborative projects both he and his partner Dana have created. GS

 

Van-Bockler, Devin – Founder and teacher at AshNBirch Outdoor Education, Devin has a main focus of strengthening the connection between humans and nature through Primitive Living Skills and Modern Wilderness Survival. Devin will be demonstrating the work he does with Cordage from a variety of natural fibers during our faire.  Learn from the AshNBirch Motto: Learn more, Take Less.  ATH 

 

Zaw, Yun – Yun is a Sterling College senior and multidisciplinary artist, heavily inspired by the natural world around us. My self expression as an artist has been through practices in hands on traditions in fiber art such as hand weaving, natural dyeing, felting and hand spinning as well as other mediums such as block printing. She has taught at the museum prior to her interest in our event. Her senior research project is in innovative natural dying with invasive species. The end result: a natural dying guidebook and a handwoven blanket made with yarn dyed with invasives. 

 

 

Food Vendors –

The vendor booths will be on the Grammar School Green.

Maple Chef – Local Food Truck.

Kingdom Kreperie – Farm to finger crepes highlighting the wonderful food producers of the Northeast Kingdom, Vermont. 

Sidekick Farm – Young Entrepreneur Jocelyn Gunter will be back at the Faire with her popular drinks and teas, baked goods and sheep soap. 

Potholders and Petite Eats – Sisters Iris and Robin love to bake and will offer Petite treats sweet and savory at the faire.