While it’s nice to have a dedicated “studio”, much of fiber can be done by clearing off part of a desk or table, or even sitting in a comfortable chair. Some fiber crafts are totally portable – take them on vacation or in the car. Which is one of the beauties of fiber. Except for large-scale projects, there’s hardly a fiber art you can’t get involved in, right in your home or apartment.
Multi colored yarns of various fibers can create vital and everyday objects. Jennifer Gerardi photograph
What Do I Need To Start? In some cases, like felting or dyeing, you’ll need a good source of water and room to make a mess. Prospective weavers can find small, table-top looms. Other fiber artists can get started with little more than a workspace and fairly simple (and inexpensive) tools and supplies. A knitter needs needles, wool and an instruction book. Needlepointers need canvas, needles, floss or wool, maybe a hoop to stretch their fabric, and a pattern – if it’s not already printed on the canvas. Quilters use an assortment of fabric, cut to size, thread, batting, and a pattern.
A basket making class, Penland School of Crafts, 1930’s. Courtesy of Penland School of Crafts, North Carolina Collection, University of North Carolina Library, Chapel Hill, Bayard Wooten photograph
Of course, as you get more involved – and committed – to your craft, the options increase. And if that’s you, it’ll be even more than a commitment – it’ll be a calling. But even if you never get to that stage, you can be very happy making things of beauty and utility right at home.
Loom at Penland School of Crafts, 2006, Jennifer Gerardi photograph
Learn more about Penland School of Crafts
Gustine Atlas of Mississippi Cultural Crossroads talks about how she quilts.
Learn more about Mississippi Cultural Crossroads here.
Gustine Atlas is one of the many talented needlework artists continuing the quilting tradition at Mississippi Cultural Crossroads, producing articles of historic and social significance - Learn more about them HERE
We filmed American Indian Pat Courtney Gold for the MEMORY episode. Purchase the DVDs or view the programs online
See objects from Craft in America: Expanding Traditions, a seven-city traveling exhibition that ran from 2007-2009, and other Virtual Exhibitions
Want to collaborate to make a quilt or mural? Download a lesson plan HERE
Important craft artists are featured in the Book. Learn more
Click to see a list of over 4 hours of video available online
