Russell Terrace

As you will know if you were there, Festival spilled over from the Convention Centre into the next-door building known to locals as 'The Old Marlborough Club' where there were more displays and activities than could be absorbed in the time available.  Here are some of them beginning with the Tapestry Exchange display.  The theme was 'Circles and Squares' and the work came from all over New Zealand and Australia.

Not far away was Mary Sheddan, Storyteller.  Mary has gathered a collection of textile-related stories gleaned from myths, legends and fairytales (although it seems she also sneaked in one about her little sister.)  Those who had time to sit and listen at lunchtime were delighted.

And there was a display from Cross Country Weavers.  This is not a large group at the moment but it is growing and this display gave an indication of the value of belonging to it with an impressive collection of drafts and samples. One panel showed samples collected over a few years from Trish Cuttriss who deservedly won the overall Creative Fibre Award at the National Exhibition.  Congratulations Trish.

Festival Trades

Dianne welcomes us to the Trades Hall and reminds us to vote with the Traders' Raffle Tickets that we found in our registration packs. So many people must have gone home happy with their winnings. On second thoughts perhaps this photo should be in the fashion section.

Inside the jam-packed hall, this is only of the many tempting stalls. These big smiles were at the beginning of trading and they would be just has big at the end I'm sure.

 And then came the 'Bag Ladies.'  These photos were taken after only one hour of trading. I wonder where all this fibre is now and what is being made from it.

While we are re-living the fun and the fibre-related activities from Festival 2012 the Wellington team is already hard at work preparing for Festival 2013.  Keep a watch on their blog: fibrefestival2013.blogspot.com and take note of the Focus on Fashion.

Karen Selk Workshop Part 3

Concentration must have been the watchword . . .

Karen Selk's Workshop Part 2

These people were so focused on their work they were not even aware of the camera.

Karen Selk's Workshop

Karen Selk, the 'silk guru' from Canda who was eagerly awaited by many CF members, not only gave a keynote address at Festival but also tutored the second post-festival two-day workshop.  Here she is at work with some of her devoted fans attending to her every word.

Keep watching. More happy silk weavers soon.

Kim Thittichai Part 2

More from Kim's workshop

and more samples

Thank you for coming Kim; we loved getting to know you.  On or off duty, you were great fun and we learned such a lot from you.

Kim's blog site is: www.hot-textiles.blogspot.com

Kim Thittichai

Kim's Keynote Address was first on the programme and her friendly and witty presentation set the tone for a very happy Festival. She was also there at the very end as she ran one of the two-day workshops that followed the Festival.  In between she chatted, demonstrated and made many friends. Here are some shots of her workshop in progress. These pictures are from Christine.

And some samples

Keep watching - more to come.

More Fashion

Some back views we encountered in passing.

We Were the Fashion!

We asked you to wear Handmade . . .

. . . and tried to lead by example.

Here are just a few of the eye-catching fashions we saw.