2022 FREE Demos & Events
Ongoing Events & Demonstrations
Demonstration Building A
or
Outside on the Green & Shearing Shed
Machine Knitters Guild Of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN
(612) 408-0637
dmhoiosen@yahoo.com
We will be demonstrating machine knitting and have items on display.
Northern Lights Handspinners Guild
Rogers, MN
(763) 428-2559
All kinds of spinning in the demo building!
Minnesota Knitter’s Guild
Minneapolis, MN
infomaster@knitters.org
Stop by the Minnesota Knitter’s Guild booth to learn about the benefits of membership. Guild members will be available to answer questions. We will also be demonstrating a variety of knitting techniques.
Central Minnesota Machine Knitting & Fiber Arts Guild
Saint Cloud, Minnesota
(320)252-2996
knitshop.rockinghorsefarm@gmail.com
William Lee invented the knitting machine in 1589 and they have been in use ever since. Group members will demonstrate how they use modern knitting machines to create fashionable shawls, garments, and other items.
Demonstrations on both Saturday and Sunday.
Pin Loom Weaving
Mankato, MN
(507)344-1894
pinloomweaving@gmail.com
http://www.pinloomweaving.com
I will be demonstrating pin loom weaving, a weaving technique carried out on a hand sized pin loom. I am the author of two nationally published books on pin loom weaving, PIN LOOM WEAVING and PIN LOOM WEAVING TO GO and will bringing many of the woven samples from the books.
I will also be sharing sneak peeks of the new items that will be going in to the third book on pin loom weaving, due to be published this fall.
Margaret Stump has been involved in pin loom weaving for over 40 years and is one of a number of people responsible for the resurgence in interest and popularity for this fun, easy fiber craft. “This is a craft for all the people who want to do something a little different than knitting and crochet but still want a portable, fun, fiber craft.”
SpiritWood Spinning Wheel Restorations
Woodward, Iowa
jbsturtevant@gmail.com
SpiritWood Spinning Wheel Restorations will be available to provide minor repairs, adjustments or trouble shooting for your antique or modern wheels.
In additional to this, if you have wheels that may need more extensive repairs, new parts or modifications we can consult on these and advise you what may be required and how we would go about the process. We are always happy to guide folks that want to perform the repairs themselves thru the process we would use, or give estimates on this service if you wish us to do the work..
All of this is being offered free to anyone during the festival, so bring your wheels in for some TLC or evaluation!
Marine Mills Folk School
Marine on St. Croix, MN
https://marinemillsfolkschool.org/
Marine Mills Folk School is a traditional skills arts organization located in Marine on St. Croix. Our artisan-instructors share their passions and skills with those interested in the hands-on learning of traditional skills from a variety of cultural heritages. Come learn about our classes and join our community of hands-on learners and instructors!
Weaver’s Guild of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
(612)436-0463
bbowman@weaversguildmn.org
www.weaversguildmn.org
Watch for their demonstrations outside in the picnic area!
Nordic Horn
St. Croix Falls, WI
info@nordichorn.com
Nordic Horn raises purebred cashmere goats and specializes in the rare apricot fiber. Located a little over an hour’s drive from the Twin Cities, Nordic Horn is the largest breeder of cashmere goats in the upper midwest. The goats have ancestors dating back to 1985, when prized imports came to the U.S. for tens of thousands of dollars. Each cashmere goat is hand-brushed to collect the valued cashmere fiber. Examples of fiber colors in raw and finished products as well as live goats will be on display.
Upper Midwest Alpacas
River Falls, WI
wibotawot@yahoo.com
“Alpacas 101” – See us in the barn and the shearing shed. Presentation by members of Upper Midwest Alpacas (UMA) about all you need to know about getting started with alpacas. Topics can include overview of types of alpacas, what to do with their fiber, business models, farm/barn set-up options, basic herd health, breeding, etc.
Linda Johnson-Morke of Bekaz Feltworks
Location: On the Green
Her Authentic Mongolian Yurt will be displayed with a tapestry felted covering that shows the process of making felt in Mongolia. Tours describing the process around the yurt will be given at noon each day. Starting Saturday, Linda and the MN Felter’s Guild will lead a demonstration of felting the “door felt” for the yurt.
John and Kathy Sturtevant of SpiritWood Spinning Wheel Restoration
www.spinningwheelrepairs.com & www.facebook.com/restoringspinningwheels/
Location: Building A
SpiritWood Spinning Wheel Restorations will be available to provide minor repairs, adjustments or trouble shooting for your antique or modern wheels.
In additional to this, if you have wheels that may need more extensive repairs, new parts or modifications we can consult on these and advise you what may be required and how we would go about the process. We are always happy to guide folks that want to perform the repairs themselves thru the process we would use, or give estimates on this service if you wish us to do the work.
All of this is being offered free to anyone during the festival, so bring your wheels in for some TLC or evaluation!
Three Rivers Fibershed
Minneapolis, MN
(920)277-8100
threeriversfibershed@gmail.com
http://www.threeriversfibershed.com
Within the vision of Fibershed is a call to make textiles a different way, one in which the impact of our fibers are considered from a soil-to-soil perspective. These soil-to-soil systems create just local economies that honor all who participate centering on local labor, local fiber, and local natural dyes. It is mission to abolish unjust textile systems and create in their place strong, decentralized textile economies that builds from the resources within our own communities. The Three Rivers Fibershed is working to develop regional fiber systems that build soil health and protect the wellbeing of our biosphere here in Minnesota. While our strategic geography is centered in Minneapolis, it extends out in a 175 mile radius, including portions of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and South Dakota. Come by our table to introduce yourself, learn more about how you can become part of the movement for local fiber, dyes, and labor, and purchase locally grown natural dye seedlings for your garden!
Koru Farm Stock dog Demonstrations
Location: Outdoor Arena
Date/Time: Saturday & Sunday 11:00, 1:00 & 2:30
Herding dogs are essential in handling sheep on farms. Various aspects of stock dog work such as a short outrun and gather, sorting and penning sheep are planned.
Koru Farm is owned by Dan & Janis Reuter and home to a flock of sheep producing wool and meat as well as helping border collies become “the best they can be” managing their stock. We also enjoy participating in Stock Dog Trials around the Midwest and further afield.
We both qualified our young dog Tate (Dan’s) and Teagan (Janis) for the National Nursery Finals in September, 2017 at two years old.
We are members of the American Border Collie Association, the United States Border Collie Herding Association and the International Stock Dog Society. Demonstrations are an integral part of our interest in showing the community how these amazing dogs help their humans on the farm and the fun in taking a day off to go trialling. See you at Shepherd’s Harvest on Mother’s Day weekend and the Fargo Fiber Festival the 1st weekend in August!
In 2018 we are offering assessments for folks interested in herding and wanting to see whether their border collie shows a natural ability. Cost is $20 – please email Janis if you are interested in scheduling your dog!
EweVet LLC
St. Cloud, MN
ewevetmn@gmail.com
EweVet is offering ultrasound pregnancy checking for sheep and goats throughout Minnesota. You will see them demonstrating and answering questions at the shearing shed and the sheep barn throughout the Festival. Mari is our Festival veterinarian!
Extreme Sheep Make-Overs – Shearing!
Location: Outdoor Pavilion
Date/Time: Saturday & Sunday 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Shearer: Jim Peterson (sat) & Brian Fitzpatrick (sun)
Watch a professional shearer in action as animals are shorn on Saturday and Sunday.
Sheep!
Location: Goat Barn
Date/Time Saturday & Sunday – Ongoing
The Goat Barn will host a special display of fiber goods. Fiber highlighted wool from the various exhibiting sheep and goat breeds.
North Star Farm Tour
Location – at the “YAK”booth in front of the sheep barn
NSFT dates for 2019 will be announced. This free, public tour highlights farms that raise natural fiber producing animals and their products. See the website northstarfarmtour.com and Facebook page for more details.