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Hoosier farmers celebrate fuzzy, furry natural fibers

By NANCY VORIS
Indiana Correspondent

FRANKLIN, Ind. — Most people cannot remember a washday that didn’t include garments made of polyester and other synthetic fibers. Maybe 2009 – the International Year of Natural Fibres – is the year to replace those scarves, sweaters and blankets made from artificial fibers.

After half a century of being dominated by synthetic fibers, the textile industry is seeing a return to natural fibers. The United Nations signed the resolution for the observance because “the diverse range of natural fibers produced by many countries provides an important source of income for farmers, and thus can play an important role in contributing to food security and in eradicating poverty.”

The resolution calls on governments, nongovernmental organizations and the private sector for support. The objectives of the International Year of National Fibres is to bring attention to and stimulate demand for natural fibers, to encourage governments to respond appropriately to problems facing natural fiber industries, to foster international partnership among natural fiber industries and to promote the sustainability of those industries.

No one could be happier than hobby farmers who raise alpacas and llamas, and use the fiber to create clothing, accessories and home décor.

The annual Hoosier Hills Fiberarts Festival, now in its fifth year, will mark the observance this Friday and Saturday at the Johnson County fairgrounds with a festival that continues to grow each year. Workshops, demonstrations, historical reenactors, a fiber arts gallery, silent auction, door prizes, competitions and more than 80 booths offering finished items, fiber, yarns, equipment and supplies will be featured.

Festival hours are Noon-7 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday. All ages will be informed and entertained as spinners, weavers, felters, lacemakers and needle artists of all kinds demonstrate their art and share their skills.

Fiber producers and artists can test the quality of their work in three major competitions at the festival: Skein, fleece and fiber art. The skein competition has categories for beginning and experienced spinners on either a spinning wheel or a drop spindle. Entrants spin a two-ounce skein of yarn and are judged on consistency, balance, suitability for intended purpose and overall beauty.

The fleece competition tests the quality of the fleece of individual animals, including llamas, alpacas, angora goats and sheep. The fiber arts competition will exhibit fiber artists who work in knitting, weaving, crochet, needle felting, wet felting and knit/crochet.
The Society for Creative Anachronism returns to recreate the arts and skills of pre-17th century Europe. Indiana designer Karen Garlinghouse, whose lacy tank is featured in the Spring/Summer issue of Vogue Knitting, will be doing a book signing.

Stephen Bowman of the Bedford College of Lacemaking will demonstrate bobbin lacemaking techniques.

FiberAntics Fiberarts Guild sponsors the annual festival.
Fiber is a renewable resource, as animals eat grass that is converted into protein fibers. After annual shearing, the fibers are processed by hand or sent to a fiber mill for processing.

Plant fibers such as cotton and flax can be planted and harvested each year. Spinners make yarn and weavers, knitters and needle artists of all types turn that yarn into clothing, rugs, blankets, towels and other personal goods.

For more information on the festival, including a map and hotel information, visit www.hoosierhillsfiberartsfestival.com

6/3/2009