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Writer Katharine Fletcher discovers “come to the fair” takes on a new twist at this year’s Fibrefest in Almonte.
The Mississippi Valley Textile Museum is a National Historic Site because it is a remarkably well-preserved example of one of the woolen mills which once manufactured textiles here in the Ottawa Valley.
Formerly the Rosamond Woolen Company mill, it was built by James Rosamond’s sons Bennett and William and opened in 1867. Powered by the Mississippi River’s waterfall in Almonte, “the Rosamond” was one of Canada’s most productive woolen mills for the next 40 years.
Permanent as well as travelling exhibitions, occasional textile workshops, gift shop, along with a beautifully preserved heritage office make the Rosamond Woolen Mill a must-see Ottawa Valley landmark.
And speaking of “special,” most fittingly, the museum is hosting the 20th anniversary of Fibrefest, an annual festival celebrating the fibre arts.
Fibrefest brings together quilters and many other vendors and suppliers.
Fibrefest
This weekend, vendors transform the museum plus the Almonte Arena into a celebration of fibre. It’s a family-friendly event because everyone will enjoy learning about some of the animals that contribute their wool and hair to the textile industry.
With 70 fibre art and 20 vintage-wear vendors, quilters, embroiderers, through to mixed-media artists will find something of interest. Indeed, the That’s My Style vintage clothing show presents us with an array of clothing where we might find a unique item to add to our wardrobes.
Animals, you mentioned?
Alpacas are increasingly common in the Ottawa Valley as well as the Pontiac region of West Quebec. They join sheep as significant producers of fleece shorn from the animals every year. Several producers will be at Fibrefest, such as Oxford Station’s Alpaca Tracks T(h)read Lightly. Want to learn the difference between alpacas and llamas? Chat with Misty Morn Llamas, breeders of suri and silky llamas.
Demonstrations of such traditional crafts as spinning take place during Fibrefest.
Grading of alpaca fleece
Join Fibrefest demonstrations on Saturday, when alpaca fleeces will be hand-graded into six categories. In fact, alpaca coats have the added advantage of usually having several grades of fibre on each animal. These are used for products from fine woolens suitable for babies’ clothing or bedding, through to sturdier worsted fabrics.
On Saturday, not only watch grading, there is also an opportunity to feel the fleeces – I predict their softness will amaze you and your youngsters.
Demonstration of sheep shearing
Of course, the Rosamond Woolen Mill used sheep’s wool for textile manufacturing. So it is particularly appropriate that there will be sheep shearing demonstrations on Saturday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Guild demonstrations
Several Ottawa Valley fibre guilds are participating, where members will be demonstrating their particular craft, such as lace making. As well, other fibre artisans such as rug hookers will be on hand, not only selling their rugs, hooking tools, and fibre, but also demonstrating this old-time craft.
A view of the Mississippi River and Almonte.
Hookers, you say?
Rug hooking is an art form born from necessity, where reeds and then fibres were woven into rugs to cover earthen floors. Not only did they keep the dirt more controlled, they warmed the floor during bitterly cold, damp days.
Nowadays, rug hooking has become a popular art form and, as with quilts, antique examples are collectible. In fact, old hooked rugs are rare: because they were so utilitarian, they tended to be discarded when considered “done” – or, when the family could afford linoleum or other flooring. (Interested in Canadian hooking history? Visit Nova Scotia’s Hooked Rug Museum of North America, home to the largest collection of hooked rugs on the continent.)
Feeling hungry?
The Friends of the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum operate a tea room where you can relax and sample homemade baked treats, sandwiches and other goodies.
Just for fun: Sunday’s Lamb Race
Want to join in a whimsical competition? At 4 p.m. on Sunday hundreds of carved wooden lambs will be tossed into the river above the falls that once powered Almonte’s mills. Buy tickets at the Almonte Arena on Saturday or Sunday, then watch to find out whether your lamb comes in first, second or third – and if so, win prizes.
Come to Fibrefest
Whatever your interest – whether it be the heritage architecture of an authentic mill town, the animals which provide us with fleeces, demonstrations, or simply the buzz of a festival, come to Fibrefest and celebrate our Ottawa Valley history, in Almonte.
Websites for more information
Fibrefest and Mississippi Valley Textile Museum: mvtm.ca
Almonte: almonte.com/ and mississippimills.ca/en/
Hooked Rug Museum of North America: hookedrugmuseumnovascotia.org/
Katharine Fletcher is a freelance writer and author of such books as Capital Rambles: Exploring the National Capital Region. Visit her at katharinefletcher.com
查看原文...
The Mississippi Valley Textile Museum is a National Historic Site because it is a remarkably well-preserved example of one of the woolen mills which once manufactured textiles here in the Ottawa Valley.
Formerly the Rosamond Woolen Company mill, it was built by James Rosamond’s sons Bennett and William and opened in 1867. Powered by the Mississippi River’s waterfall in Almonte, “the Rosamond” was one of Canada’s most productive woolen mills for the next 40 years.
Permanent as well as travelling exhibitions, occasional textile workshops, gift shop, along with a beautifully preserved heritage office make the Rosamond Woolen Mill a must-see Ottawa Valley landmark.
And speaking of “special,” most fittingly, the museum is hosting the 20th anniversary of Fibrefest, an annual festival celebrating the fibre arts.
Fibrefest brings together quilters and many other vendors and suppliers.
Fibrefest
This weekend, vendors transform the museum plus the Almonte Arena into a celebration of fibre. It’s a family-friendly event because everyone will enjoy learning about some of the animals that contribute their wool and hair to the textile industry.
With 70 fibre art and 20 vintage-wear vendors, quilters, embroiderers, through to mixed-media artists will find something of interest. Indeed, the That’s My Style vintage clothing show presents us with an array of clothing where we might find a unique item to add to our wardrobes.
Animals, you mentioned?
Alpacas are increasingly common in the Ottawa Valley as well as the Pontiac region of West Quebec. They join sheep as significant producers of fleece shorn from the animals every year. Several producers will be at Fibrefest, such as Oxford Station’s Alpaca Tracks T(h)read Lightly. Want to learn the difference between alpacas and llamas? Chat with Misty Morn Llamas, breeders of suri and silky llamas.
Demonstrations of such traditional crafts as spinning take place during Fibrefest.
Grading of alpaca fleece
Join Fibrefest demonstrations on Saturday, when alpaca fleeces will be hand-graded into six categories. In fact, alpaca coats have the added advantage of usually having several grades of fibre on each animal. These are used for products from fine woolens suitable for babies’ clothing or bedding, through to sturdier worsted fabrics.
On Saturday, not only watch grading, there is also an opportunity to feel the fleeces – I predict their softness will amaze you and your youngsters.
Demonstration of sheep shearing
Of course, the Rosamond Woolen Mill used sheep’s wool for textile manufacturing. So it is particularly appropriate that there will be sheep shearing demonstrations on Saturday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Guild demonstrations
Several Ottawa Valley fibre guilds are participating, where members will be demonstrating their particular craft, such as lace making. As well, other fibre artisans such as rug hookers will be on hand, not only selling their rugs, hooking tools, and fibre, but also demonstrating this old-time craft.
A view of the Mississippi River and Almonte.
Hookers, you say?
Rug hooking is an art form born from necessity, where reeds and then fibres were woven into rugs to cover earthen floors. Not only did they keep the dirt more controlled, they warmed the floor during bitterly cold, damp days.
Nowadays, rug hooking has become a popular art form and, as with quilts, antique examples are collectible. In fact, old hooked rugs are rare: because they were so utilitarian, they tended to be discarded when considered “done” – or, when the family could afford linoleum or other flooring. (Interested in Canadian hooking history? Visit Nova Scotia’s Hooked Rug Museum of North America, home to the largest collection of hooked rugs on the continent.)
Feeling hungry?
The Friends of the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum operate a tea room where you can relax and sample homemade baked treats, sandwiches and other goodies.
Just for fun: Sunday’s Lamb Race
Want to join in a whimsical competition? At 4 p.m. on Sunday hundreds of carved wooden lambs will be tossed into the river above the falls that once powered Almonte’s mills. Buy tickets at the Almonte Arena on Saturday or Sunday, then watch to find out whether your lamb comes in first, second or third – and if so, win prizes.
Come to Fibrefest
Whatever your interest – whether it be the heritage architecture of an authentic mill town, the animals which provide us with fleeces, demonstrations, or simply the buzz of a festival, come to Fibrefest and celebrate our Ottawa Valley history, in Almonte.
Websites for more information
Fibrefest and Mississippi Valley Textile Museum: mvtm.ca
Almonte: almonte.com/ and mississippimills.ca/en/
Hooked Rug Museum of North America: hookedrugmuseumnovascotia.org/
Katharine Fletcher is a freelance writer and author of such books as Capital Rambles: Exploring the National Capital Region. Visit her at katharinefletcher.com
查看原文...
