VANESSA LAURIE/Things
FibreEd is an educational festival for creatives such as knitting teacher Debbie Dawson, left, and her student Lilly Pomeroy.
An educational festival celebrating all things fiber is on its way to Taranaki.
Taking place in New Plymouth from July 15-17, FibreEd has sparked the interest of approximately 200 Aotearoa creatives who have registered to attend.
The event offers classes for those who have signed up, along with leisure sessions for the public featuring crafts such as knitting, crochet, and weaving.
A total of 35 classes are planned with 19 teachers, while 25 traders offer their creations for sale.
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In addition to the more traditional crafts, there will be dyeing and photography workshops, along with t-shirt knitting and a how-to on mending sashiko, a Japanese technique.
Creative Fiber NZ is the national body made up of over 3000 artists, with FibreEd being hosted by Taranaki Creative Fiber, with approximately 120 members.
It is the first time an event like it has been held in the region in 15 years and three years since there was a national house, due to Covid-19-related cancellations of the gathering for two years in a row.
Beth Pottinger-Hockings has been a member of New Plymouth Creative Fiber for about 20 years and is part of the committee that organizes the craft show.
Although felting is her specialty, she said flax work would be a focus at FibreEd, with 58 entries submitted to the show.
MARK TAYLOR/Things
Harakeke will take center stage at an event celebrating the use of fiber materials in arts and crafts. (File photo)
“We have a very big focus on celebrating harakeke,” she said.
Pottinger-Hockings said there was renewed interest in using natural fibers for crafts.
In addition to the appeal of making a one-time piece of handmade decoration, it was also increasingly a way to nurture mental health, she said.
“There is now research that says these things are good for stress.”
An added benefit to the group would be that it attracts new members, Pottinger-Hockings added.
FibreEd is held at Sacred Heart Girls’ College in New Plymouth and the entrance fee is $5, with free entry for children.