Women’s shelter to benefit from KnitMaine-ia Fashion Show at Fiber College event

SEARSPORT, Maine — The KnitMaine-ia Fashion Show is one of many anticipated activities, demonstrations and classes that are the hallmark of the annual Fiber College, Sept. 6-9, at Searsport Shores Ocean Camping.

The idea for the fashion show is straightforward — knit or crochet a garment or an accessory and submit it to be modeled in the show. Or model it yourself, like Jillian Liversidge of Stockton Springs will do. She will model a sweater knit by her friend Sara Brand-New. She also will have in the show a dress she knit for her daughter.

“Fifty percent of the things in the show are original designs, though mine are not,” she said. “There will be an evening coat knit of black trash bags by fiber artist Katherine Cobbey. And Sara Brand-New has knit on size 4 knitting needles a long chevron dress to fit her six-foot frame.”

Approximately 50 knit or crocheted pieces will be shown. The oldest knitter with work in the show is 90 years old, and some of the models will be children. Music for the show will be provided by Mark Aubertin and the Insect Reconstruction Consortium.

“One of the things we try to promote is that the fashion show for everybody,” Liversidge said. “The pieces range in variety and style. The show is as much for hobby knitters and crocheters as well as for professionals,” she said.

Now in its third year, KnitMaine-ia is a collaboration of the Women’s Group of St. Margaret’s Church in Belfast and Fiber College, now in its seventh year. The fashion show  serves as a fundraiser for New Hope for Women, an organization in Hope that provides services to women who are victims of domestic violence.

The fashion show will rock the runway at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, at Searsport Shores. Tickets are $10 and includes a wine and cheese reception after the event. Children under 12 will be admitted free of charge. Tickets are available at stmargaretsbelfast.org; Fiddleheads Artisan Supply, 159 High St.; and Heavenly Socks, 82 Main St., both in Belfast. Tickets also will be available at the door. Purchase of tickets in advance is advised.

Organizers of the fashion show also are seeking donations of mittens and hats for the Three Little Kittens Project, an offshoot of KnitMaine-ia. These items will be accepted the day of the show. Knitters also may donate by dropping off hats and mittens at Heavenly Socks in Belfast. “I hope this will be an ongoing effort,” Liversidge said. For information about the project, contact knitmaineia@gmail.com or Sara at (978) 325-0045

Fiber College will convene Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 6-9, at Searsport Shores Ocean Camping, 216 West Main St. in Searsport. The event will offer classes that include silk painting, bookbinding with recycled materials, knitting, crocheting, dyeing, doll making, carving, rug raiding, spinning, rug hooking, embroidery, weaving, basket making and broom making, and will include demonstrations and Shoppers’ Boulevard.

For information on Fiber College or about registering for a class, the cost and materials needed, call 548-6059 or go to ibercollege.com.

Snippets

Monday Morning Quilters will host its annual quilt show at 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Brownville Junction Methodist Church. Lunch will be available 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Coastal Quilters will sponsor a workshop with Carol Boyer, Create Your Own Greeting Cards, at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, at the Camden Lions Club, Lion’s Lane in Camden. The workshop is open to all. Advance registration is required as class size is limited. For information and to register and receive a materials list, call Barb Melchiskey at 236-9665 or email smelchiskey@roadrunner.com. Bring a lunch. Beverages and refreshments will be available.

Coastal Quilters will meet 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Camden Lions Club, Lions’ Lane in Camden. Carol Boyer will present Play to Your Strengths as she answers the question,  “Why make quilts?” Her talk will be accompanied by a trunk show of quilts she has made. The program will be followed by a refreshment break, short business meeting and show and tell. The meeting is free and open to the public. For information, call Prudy Netzorg at 354-0938 or Stevie Kumble at 236-2352.

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