Hundreds of fiber artists and enthusiasts from across Southern California — quilters and knitters, crocheters, dyers and sewers — are putting traditions and rules aside for the Los Angeles Quilt Show & Fiber Arts Festival.
Santa Monica will be represented by the Santa Monica Quilt Guild, Santa Monica College instructor Robin Lake and Wildfiber Studio of Santa Monica, which will have a pop-up shop at the event.
Typically, fiber artists learn and work together in small groups. Think sewing circles, knitting groups, or lessons between grandmother and child. Quilting guilds in particular have time-honored traditions for participation and exhibition of their work. But at the Los Angeles Quilt Show & Fiber Art Fest, hand and needle artists join forces to perfect their craft and inspire less experienced makers. To make the show as inclusive as possible, the Host Committee invited makers of all skill levels and styles to enter their creations.
The Southern California Quilts of Valor chapter will reinforce the show's communal theme by hosting an onsite "quilt-a-thon." where attendees are invited to pull up a seat and roll up their sleeves to make a quilt for a veteran service member. Barbara Winkler, coordinator of the chapter, will also be a speaker. Volunteers from the Friendship Square Quilt Guild, Santa Monica Quilt Guild, South Bay Quilters Guild, and African American Quilters will be showcasing their "Opportunity Quilt" — a piece jointly sewn and raffled as a fundraiser.
Instructors will be leading interactive lessons using a variety of media. Meriel Stern, Commissioner for the Pasadena Arts Council, will show how to create "Crocheted Sculpture," Grace Errea will explain color theory in a class called "The Value of Value" and San Pedro native Julie Sawyer Rogan will present a with trunk show on "Retro Upcycling: A History of Feedbags."
In alignment with Crafted's mission of supporting small creative businesses, pop-up shops from local independent businesses will be selling fabrics, yarns and notions. Visitors can browse offerings from event sponsor Dragonfly Dyeworks of Los Angeles, Momen Plus of Torrance, Needlepoints West of Westchester, Knitting Tree L.A. of Culver City and Wildfiber Studios of Santa Monica, among others. Kersey Girl Creations, a permanent CRAFED shop and a sponsor of this event, will lead AccuQuilt cutting machine demonstrations throughout the two-day event.
For attendees that have never even threaded a needle, the non-profit yes4arts will provide free lessons on crochet and sewing basics. And all attendees are invited to vote for their favorite pieces, which will win awards like Best in Show and Peoples' Choice. "The fiber arts are so functional and deeply rooted in American culture," says Peggy Forrester, fiber artist and 2015 Host Committee Member. "I am pleased to know this event showcases their past and possibility for today, especially in a style mecca like L.A."
Crafted is at the Port of Los Angeles, Port of Los Angeles Warehouse No 10, 112 E. 22nd Street, San Pedro. Aug.8- 9 from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. (detailed schedule at www.LAQuiltShow.com/schedule). Tickets are valid for both days $7 online/$10 at the door.
For more information, visit www.LAQuiltShow.com.
