Susan S., the Benton Franklin Fair Department 25 Supervisor was on hand to answer questions on how to register to exhibit items at the Fair. Registration Closes: August 1 and the Registration Fee is $10 and it Includes one daily admission to the Fair, after August 1st the fee is $15 Here is the registration link
https://www.bentonfranklinfair.com/p/exhibitors/still-life-exhibitors
I have attached the Dept. 25: Open Class Fiber Arts Exhibitor Guide but you still have to register as an Exhibitor
Franna P. gave us a great presentation on how to finish and block items for the Benton Franklin Fair. Here is a quick recap:
The purpose of blocking is to show off your items. You want to feature patterns, stitches and colors and make it easy to see their details. Think about what features you want to show off on your project. Generally that means gently shaping, and neatening, and especially, opening up lace. Straight lines should be straight, hats should have rounded shapes, curves should be smooth.
Blocking in general
· Soak the item in plain water for at least 1 hour, gently squeeze out water (squeeze once only if non-superwash wool), wrap in a towel and press to blot up more water, the goal is to have the item be damp not dripping.
· Wool blocks best but you can also block acrylic and cotton items the same way.
· Weave in ends before blocking. Can wait until after blocking to trim ends – they’ll stay put better after blocking. Franna recommends blocking everything. The hat she showed is an exception, though she’s still thinking about whether or not to block it.
· Use foam floor mats as a base to pin out flat items; a bed also works.
· Let pieces dry completely while shaped/stretched. You can reblock if needed.
Socks – Socks can be blocked flat, though sock blockers make it so much easier. Block so that the major design parts show best. You want to highlight the lace, beads or special textured stitches.
Hats – use a bowl or Styrofoam wig head to block the hat.Ease out any ripples, even up pleats.
Scarves – Rectangular – always keep edges straight, even up the ends to prevent flaring. Non-Rectangular – block to enhance and show off the shape.
Shawls – Pin out to their full size. In limited space it can be blocked half at a time or folded. Lace should be aggressively pinned out to show off its beauty. Symmetric shawls should be blocked so they look symmetric. Maintain straight lines and smooth curves.
keins – pay attention to skein requirements for fair. “Block”, if needed, first – Hang the damp skein with a light weight to make it hang straight. Let dry. Wind or place the skein on a warping board, knitty noddy, or pegs. Use pieces of the same yarn to create at least four equally spaced Figure 8 ties. Twist the skein, double it back, and tuck one end into the other end loop. Neaten the ends of the skein and the ties. Tuck the ends into the yarn to hide them.
Remember that your projects are not only being judged, but they’re part of a very interesting exhibit in the fair. Even the simplest projects can inspire others to give fiber arts a try.
Ice Dyeing July 22nd 9am at Earlene Backyard . Bring Pre-washed, clean light colored cotton clothing or fabric and a bag of Ice. There’ll be Soda Ash Solution and cotton dyes there. Everyone is welcome. Acid Dyes will also be available for the wool people LOL Cheryl R. will show how to paint warp also.
Desert Fiber Arts was invited to demo at the Richland Community Center during the Art in the Park show on Saturday July 29th at 10am. The RCC is a cooling center for the show. Come join us.
Alchemy with Plants, featuring instructor Nan Drye, is a workshop that incorporates a silk scarf, fresh plants and your imagination to create a beautiful dyed scarf. You will use pre-mordanted 14″ x 72″ silk crepe de chine and plant matter. The instructor provides all materials but you are welcome to bring your own fresh plants to try as well. This is a one day workshop, approximately 3 hours in length. August 19th. You have to register in advance.
Books we read
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
Aunt Dimity Goes West by Nancy Atherton
Babel
Death on a Summer’s Day by Benedict Brown
Drowning by T. J. Newman
Fatty Fatty Boom Boom by Rabia Chaudry
Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J K Rowling
Heartbreak Kennel by Cary Unkelbach
Jack Reacher series by Lee Child
Life’s Too Short and Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez
Listen to I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
My Ántonia by Willa Cather
National Park Mystery Series by Aaron Johnson
Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeneya
Signal Fires by Dani Shapiro
Spook by Mary Roach
The Bookshop of Yesterdays by Amy Meyerson
The Girls I’ve Been by Tess Sharpe
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
The Levee by William Kent Krueger
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Track of the cat by Nevada Barr
Treasure Hunters Series by James Patterson
Wool part of the Silo series by Hugh Howey
Yellowface and Babel by R.F. Kuang
Our next meeting will be Tuesday, August 15th at 6:00pm in Conference Room A of the Richland Library.
