Chilly weather at Ketner's Mill fair

Riverbend Fiber Arts guild members braved overcast skies and the 40-degree temperatures this weekend to demonstrate and promote spinning, weaving and other fiber art techniques at the Ketner's Mill Country Arts Fair.

Spinning, weaving and carding demonstrations on the porch of the old Mill and at the vibrantly color clad Riverbend Fiber Arts tent generated lots of interest in the fiber arts, the unique and beautiful hats, scarves, gloves, children's items, Christmas ornaments, quilted journals, yarns and rovings as well as upcoming guild activities (see Inkle Loom workshop). Shown here is guild member, Josie, who is spinning bluefaced Leicester wool roving on an Irish Castle spinning wheel.

Hot chocolate, hot fried apple pies, soup and other country fair cookery helped to keep fingers warm enough to work the wheels, loom and fibers.

Riverbend Fiber Arts tent at the Ketner's Mill Fair.

Mary Lou weaves on a table-top Inkle Loom (left). Star spins alpaca fiber into yarn while Susan cards the fibers.

Pat begins the drafting and spinning process with multi-colored roving.

Inkle Loom Doll with Character workshop

Join the Riverbend Fiber Arts Guild for an Inkle Weaving workshop with Ann Mullican, on November 14-15, 2009.

With colored pencils and graph paper, participants will learn how to design the warp-faced Inkle fabric for their doll. Color and design combinations will begin to develop the doll’s "character." Simple warping techniques are used to thread the Inkle Loom and personalities emerge as beads, feathers, lace, fabric wings and found objects are used to fashion the right ‘attitude’ of each Inkle Woven Doll.

This is a great introductory class for beginners and fun for the experienced weaver. Everyone is welcome!

The cost of this 2-day workshop is $60. To reserve your place, contact MJ Levine at mjmlevine@comcast.net and send a check, payable to "Riverbend Fiber Arts Guild," to MJ Levine at 17 Minnekahda Place, Chattanooga, TN 37405. A $10 kit fee is payable to instructor at the workshop. Registration fee is non-refundable.
The workshop will be held from 10 am to 4 pm (Eastern Time) on Saturday and Sunday, November 14-15 at the Bachman Community Center, Signal Mountain, TN.