Workshops at Fibrefest

Mindset Reset

Mindset Reset invites participants into a space where creativity meets calm. Rooted in global traditions like Sashiko, Boro, and Kantha, this workshop is designed for anyone open to learning new handwork skills. Participants will be using layered fabric pieces and visible hand-stitching techniques to create a 5×5 coaster set. Each coaster (or other project) becomes a tactile meditation; an opportunity to slow down, unplug, and experience the joy of making something from start to finish.

Needle Felt a Daisy Clutch Bag

Wendo will guide you through the process of needle felting a field of daisies on an industrial felt clutch bag. It measures 20cm x 30cm (8″ x 12″)and has a zippered closure. It has a tab to hold a wrist handle.

Wet Felting a Bird Pod

Learn to make a bird pod using the age-old technique of wet felting. This eco-friendly wool habitat for birds has natural water repellant properties and will keep our little friends warm and dry. After wet felting the bird pod, your design can be embellished using the needle felting technique. The vibrant colours will add a nice decorative feature to your yard.

Be Un-Suitable

Are you tired of the “corporate uniform”? Ready to wear your story on your sleeve? It’s time to take sustainability out of the scrap bin and into your wardrobe. Join us for a hands-on workshop where we transform heirloom quilts, vintage finds, or your own pre-quilted masterpieces into a one-of-a-kind wearable statement. Whether you’re heading to a high-stakes boardroom meeting or a weekend road trip, this jacket is designed to be your most versatile (and cozy!) layer. Prep-required. Bilingual.

Needle Felt a Sloth

In this workshop Wendo will guide you through the process of needle felting an adorable Sloth. Starting by creating a wire armature, we will then needle felt fibre around it to make a warm fuzzy sloth.

Beginner Oxford Punch Needle

Discover the joy of Oxford Punch Needle in this beginner-friendly 3-hour workshop. You’ll use a Fine Oxford Punch Needle to create a charming, ready-to-hang piece inspired by the art of Maud Lewis. The kit includes an 7″x7″ linen-wrapped wood frame, backing fabric with the pattern pre-drawn, and the wool yarn needed to complete the 5″× 5″ design. Punch needles are available to borrow or purchase, a #13 or #14 are recommended (#10Fine will also work).

Landscape Weaving on a Frame Loom

A beginner friendly workshop where you will learn to warp, weave and finish a beach themed wall hanging. You will leave with a ready to hang piece of art and all the skills you need to continue weaving at home.

Introduction to Tapestry Weaving

Learn the basic techniques of frame loom weaving and create your own ready-to-hang wall tapestry. Explore textured stitches like Rya knots, Soumak braiding, and tabby weaving. All materials are provided, including a selection of high-quality fibers in several colour palettes. You will have use during the class of a pre-warped frame loom. Finished piece is approximately 7” by 9”.

Introduction to Traditional Rug Hooking

This small project is perfect to learn how to pull loops or refining your technique. If you have pulled a few loops but are struggling this will give you a chance to spend time with a teacher for hands on help. The little 6 x 6 abstract mat will be a great coaster, we start with straight line hooking then move to the curves and diagonals. A finishing demo will be held at the end of the class so you can go home and finish the project. You will not get all the hooking done in the class.

Eco-Dyeing: Creating Prints from Leaves and Blossoms

Create stunning botanical prints using ferns, leaves, and flowers. After explaining the technique, Katharine leads a walk at Spiritwood, her hobby farm where everyone collects plants, which she identifies. Back in the studio, we arrange plants inside prepared watercolour-paper bundles, bind them securely, place them into a water bath, and have lunch (bring your food). Then we remove the bundles from the bath, open them up, and admire Nature’s Alchemy!

Mini Spindle Workshop

The mini spindle workshop will teach the basics of spinning with our hand-dyed fibre. The mini spindles are very transportable and are handmade by us. The mini spindles are friction fit, so that you also have a crochet hook to use. \r\n Made to travel with you and can be carried in your purse or pocket. They make the cutest balls of yarn imaginable. This is a 2 hour course and will give you the basics of spinning.

Weaving on Rocks

Experienced weavers and total beginners will find something fun in this playful workshop where we will use rocks for off-loom weaving. Learn how to wrap yarn or cord around a rock or other found object to create the warp, then weave the weft threads to create colourful patterns. This craft borrows ideas from loom and tapestry weaving and rock wrapping, marrying the fun of found objects to the magic of weaving. No experience is necessary.

Basketry Plain and Simple

Participants will be introduced to basketry materials, their preparation, and a variety of weaving techniques. Using rattan, and some local natural materials, participants will craft at least one project during the workshop. You will learn different starting methods, shaping the basket, adding texture and colour, maybe a few embellishments, and perhaps explore different rims to complete your basket. While weaving you will learn a few tricks to make basket making a fun and rewarding experience.

Flax Processing

Have you ever wondered where linen comes from? This workshop with Cavadelo Flax Garden will give you the opportunity to process your own linen fibre that you can take home and spin into linen yarn/thread.

Flax Processing

Have you ever wondered where linen comes from? This workshop with Cavadelo Flax Garden will give you the opportunity to process your own linen fibre that you can take home and spin into linen yarn/thread.

Tatreez: Palestinian Cross Stitch

In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn a brief history and the basics of Palestinian Tatreez. The session blends personal storytelling with an introduction to Tatreez as both a cultural art form and a quiet act of resistance. Using the traditional Fallahi cross-stitch, you will stitch your own unique set of Tatreez earrings to take home. No prior embroidery experience is required, and all materials are provided. 100% of the proceeds from this workshop will be donated to Gaza.

Flax Processing

Have you ever wondered where linen comes from? This workshop with Cavadelo Flax Garden will give you the opportunity to process your own linen fibre that you can take home and spin into linen yarn/thread.

My First Basket: Beginners Basket for Kids

Calling all young makers age 8 and up! Let’s make your very first basket together, one simple step at a time. You’ll start with a plywood base and weave up the sides with rattan reed, easy to prepare, dye, and shape by hand. Learn to prep your reed, add colour and texture, and finish your edges your own way. All materials provided, and you’ll take your basket home. Bring your curiosity and a beginner’s mind! Adults welcome to cheerlead. One basket per registered child.

Momigami: Transform Paper into Fabric

Momigami is a Japanese technique that transforms paper into a soft, durable, fabric-like material that is flexible enough to sew, cut, paint, glue, and use in a range of creative practices. In this experiential workshop, you’ll explore this rhythmic process on variety of papers. You will then be encouraged to integrate your transformed papers into your own fibre art practice: stitching, bookmaking, collage, mixed media, sculpture, or needle felting.

Beginner Rug Hooking – 3D Proddy Daisy or Sunflower

Join us for a fun and creative workshop where you’ll learn basic rug hooking techniques to create either a sunflower or a daisy. Using beautifully hand-dyed wool, you’ll learn basic the how to rug hooking with wool yarn, wool strips and make proddy flower pedals. All materials are provided. This hands-on, workshop is a perfect introduction to rug hooking, allowing you to learn a few different techniques and leave with new skills and a beautify hooked design.

Introduction to Chainmaille Jewelry Weaving

In this workshop, participants will be introduced to the modern craft of weaving chainmaille jewelry. They will learn the historic and contemporary usage of this ancient skill along with proper technique before being taught how to make a byzantine bracelet out of anodized aluminum jump rings. All materials (jump rings, pliers, and clasps) are included in the supply fee. Participants will take home their finished bracelet and tools.

Eco-Dyeing: Creating Prints from Leaves and Blossoms

Create stunning botanical prints using ferns, leaves, and flowers. After explaining the technique, Katharine leads a walk at Spiritwood, her hobby farm where everyone collects plants, which she identifies. Back in the studio, we arrange plants inside prepared watercolour-paper bundles, bind them securely, place them into a water bath, and have lunch (bring your food). Then we remove the bundles from the bath, open them up, and admire Nature’s Alchemy!

Flax Processing

Have you ever wondered where linen comes from? This workshop with Cavadelo Flax Garden will give you the opportunity to process your own linen fibre that you can take home and spin into linen yarn/thread.

Meditative Stitching

In our fast-paced world, take a moment to pause and breathe. Stitch Meditation is an artful practice that combines creativity with mindfulness and self-care. Focus on the textures, colours, and simple stitches as you rhythmically create something uniquely yours. Learn simple stitching techniques and explore how fabric and thread can help centre your thoughts. Each participant will leave with their own stitched creation—a tangible reminder of the beauty of slowing down.

Sit and Spin

In the Sit and Spin Workshop, you will learn to spin on a 3 foot spindle. The workshop will teach the basics of spinning with our hand-dyed fibre. We hand make these 3 foot spindles from fallen branches and they hold a large amount of our hand-dyed fibre. You will be able to pick your own 3 foot spindle and your fibre.

This is a 3 hour course and will give you many basic skills in spinning

Saskatoon Scarf – Tunisian Crochet

Learn to Tunisian crochet a beautiful hand dyed bulky merino scarf! Carrie made this one for a trip to Saskatoon in January, and now you can have your own slightly shorter version. This is a quick project that will include your own skein of super bulky merino hand dyed yarn, and a hand carved chunky Tunisian crochet hook. Get ready to wrap yourself in something super cozy and warm!

Silk Ribbon Embroidery

Adding silk ribbon to your embroidering repertoire opens a new opportunity to add texture and variety to your pieces. Learning the basic techniques of using the ribbon you will create a sampler using the materials provided.

Two Handed Fair Isle Knitting

If you have been intimidated by two-colour fair isle knitting this class will solve the problem many have with the correct tension in the ‘floats’ on the back because it quite simply eliminates them. Holding one colour in each hand you will learn how to knit a colour pattern while weaving the colours with every stitch leaving NO floats on the reverse side. The finished result is a neat finished ‘fabric’. In addition you will learn the technique of Latvian or Baltic braid.

Introduction to Boutis – French Corded Quilting

Participants will make a small Boutis project. You will learn Boutis stitching, cording of project and traditional vs modern design considerations.

Wearable Rug Hooking

Designed for the intermediate rug hooker, but beginner friendly, who has some simple machine sewing skills and who is limited only by their imagination.

This workshop is meant to encourage participants to step outside the norm of floor and wall hangings and step into wearable art with a twist of imagination.

Participants will supply their own jacket and rug hooking supplies based on a list that will be provided upon registration.

Introduction to Nalbinding

Participants will learn two main Nalbinding stitches, the Oslo stitch and the York stitch, and produce a small pouch. The use of unspun wool for Nalbinding will also be demonstrated as well as the preparation of a pattern.

Leather Journal Cover Making

Participants will design and craft a handmade leather journal cover using traditional leatherworking techniques. You’ll learn the basics of working with vegetable-tanned leather, including creating your cover design, edge finishing, hand stitching, and dyeing. Guided step by step, you’ll choose your design, assemble your cover, and finish it with thoughtful details that make it uniquely yours. By the end of the session, you’ll leave with a finished journal cover.

Mini Cross Stitch Magnet

Looking for a creative, hands‑on break? This Mini Cross Stitch Magnet Workshop offers a relaxed, colourful crafting session where you’ll stitch a small design and turn it into a vibrant magnet for your fridge, locker, or office board. It’s not a full intro class, but guidance is provided throughout. All supplies are included, along with fun pattern options. Come stitch, unwind, and leave with a handmade piece you’ll love.