Gallery will focus on weaving during May and June

Christine Macchi, executive director of Maine Fiberarts, emailed information about an upcoming weaving extravaganza.

Statewide nonprofit Maine Fiberarts in Topsham will host a Weave-In during May and June at 13 Main St. The public is invited to attend to learn about the art form. Maine weavers Emi Ito of Bath, Susan Perrine of Woolwich, Sheila Shanti of Westbrook and Sybil Shiland of Standish will be on hand to weave on looms and to answer questions. Guest weavers from throughout Maine will join the group at various times to showcase weaving techniques. A schedule of events is posted at mainefiberarts.org.

An exhibition of woven work, special looms and weavers’ tools will be displayed throughout the gallery, and The Red Studio will be turned into a working weaver’s studio. Visitors may watch a warp being made, a floor loom being warped and the weaving of cloth. Several examples of floor looms will be displayed, including a 36-inch Harrisville and a Japanese Saori. Weavers will demonstrate the use of table, rigid heddle, tapestry and inkle looms. Weavers will show visitors how to construct a simple loom with heddles and treadles, or to create a card loom that uses only tapestry needles and cardboard to create small woven purses, belts or fabric.

Demonstrations will include “Weaving with Twigs,” May 1 and 2; “Make a Warp and Start Warping,” May 8; “Threading a Floor Loom,” May 15; “Kitchen Table Garment Design,” May 24 and June 7; “Cutting and Sewing Handwoven Fabrics,” June 14;  and “Making a Simple Loom with Treadles and Heddles,” June 21.

Members of two large spinning groups, Saco Valley Fiber Artists from the Standish area and Salt Bay Treadlers from Damariscotta, will converge on the gallery 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, June 16, to spin and show off knitted and woven treasures. Visitors on that day will see a variety of spinning wheels, as well as the looms, in use. Admission is free for all demonstrations, the exhibition and the sale.

The Weave-In is planned as an opportunity for artists to share ideas and inspiration by working together over a continuous period in a common location. It also provides an opportunity for visitors to meet the artists, to learn more about the craft of weaving and to view the exhibition of hand-woven work. Woven items including artwork, wearables and pieces for the home created by many of Maine’s finest contemporary fiber artists will be available for purchase.

Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, and 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. To learn more about the Weave-In, visit mainefiberarts.org or call 721-0678.

Snippets

• On May 7, fire struck Darthia Farm in Gouldsboro, owned by Cynthia and Bill Thayer. It destroyed the barn and killed sheep, horses, pigs, calves and poultry. Cynthia Thayer was injured as she and Bill tried to rescue animals. A relief fund has been set up by concerned friends and neighbors. Donations may be sent to Darthia Farm Phoenix Fund, Bar Harbor Bank and Trust, P.O. Box 159, Winter Harbor 04693.

• An open house featuring the work of more than 50 local artists and artisans will take place 2-4 p.m. Sunday, May 27, at Chapter Two, 611 Corea Road in Corea. For information, visit chaptertwo.com.

• Coastal Quilters will meet at 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, May 19, at the Camden Lions Club on Lion’s Lane in Camden. The program will feature the second half of “Thread Therapy,” an educational film with Dr. Bob Purcell, president of Superior Threads, and a special follow-up presentation by Marge Hallowell of Mainely Sewing who will discuss and demonstrate many of the threads discussed in the video. The meeting is free and open to the public. For information, call Sarah Smith at 763-3565 or Prudy Netzorg at 354-0938.

• Children’s Days will take place 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, May 30-June 1, at Leonard’s Mills Living History Museum in Bradley. Volunteers are needed to demonstrate handcrafts such as spinning, weaving, dyeing, quilting, rug hooking, braiding and embroidery and to help children try the crafts. Fiber animals also are needed for show and tell. For information or to volunteer, email Cathy Goslin at info@leonardsmills.com, visit leonardsmills.com or call the museum office at 974-6278.

Call Ardeana Hamlin at 990-8153 or email ahamlin@bangordailynews.com. Don’t forget to visit her blog at byhand.bangordailynews.com.