Bobbin Around Philly: Fiber Edition
There are so many amazing craft-related opportunities in Philadelphia, so I
decided to share some of the offerings I took advantage of throughout July. This post will focus on the fiber arts, my passion and true love.
First on the list was the Monthly Craft Circle hosted by Weaver House in the
Bok building. This recurring event is organized by local artists and Weaver
House staff members, Izzie Ashley and Chris Lau. Participants who attend are
invited to bring a project and spend the evening creating in a communal setting.
This month, the craft circle provided an indigo vat, and crafters brought fabric,
clothing, yarn, and various other fibers and textiles for dying. One maker even
brought plant reeds for basket weaving, which she dyed and then wove into a
beautiful melon basket! While we waited for our items to dry, we also got to
check out Weaver House’s textile library, which has some gems! It was a great evening, and I am
looking forward to next month’s craft circle which will double as a craft supply
swap! While pre-registration is required, these craft circle events are free and
open to the public.
Next, I attended Riso Puno’s interactive exhibition, Group Hug, at the Fabric
Workshop and Museum. This installation addresses the relationships between
caregivers and the people they care for. As a nurse, this show addressed several
considerations that I experience daily, and I found it to be very thought-
provoking. Visitors can choose if they want to experience the role of caregiver,
or one being cared for prior to entering a maze leading to the exhibit. I will
leave what happens next for you to experience! The museum is located in
center city at 12th and Arch (right near our friends at Rittenhouse
Needlepoint!), and admission is free to the public.
Last but not least, I attended FabScrap’s Summer Sip and Sort! FabScrap is a
local textile recycling center located in the Bok Building. Their ability to sort
and process their large donations of textiles depends heavily on volunteer staff,
who are compensated with an amazing selection of fabric, yarn, and other
materials. The Sip and Sort series invites volunteers to come and have a drink
(this month sponsored by Good Vodka, though non-alcohol options were also
available) and sort fabric. The event consisted of an overview of FabScrap and a
brief explanation of the process, which involved sorting fabric samples,
mendable clothes, and larger textiles, for reuse. The evening ended with a
“shopping” spree in which we each got to take home three pounds of fabric!
The event required pre-registration and asked for a $10 donation to support FabScrap’s efforts.
Additional volunteer opportunities are offered each week and can be found on
the organization’s website.
Overall, a great month for fiber in Philadelphia!
What craft should we explore next month??