Going natural: Weavers and spinners’ goals reach internationally

When the creative group from the Green Valley Weavers and Spinners Guild plans their annual exhibit it’s hands-on, educational, colorful and creative — and plans for the Oct. 3 exhibit are well on the way to impressing visitors.

The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2009 as “The International Year of Natural Fibres” and the Guild’s exhibit will flow from this declaration.

As Oct. 5-11 celebrates Spinning and Weaving Week the exhibit at the Joyner-Green Valley Library will focus on natural fibers while demonstrating how the fibers can be used in knitting, crocheting, weaving, spinning, felting, beading and braiding.

In a world of war, recession and strife one may wonder why the United Nations is focusing on fibers.

Exhibit chairperson Linda Germain explained: “It’s to focus on fiber farmers and show how they survive and produce fibers for the rest of the world while also focusing on the countries that natural fibers come from.

“It’s important for the world to know that buying clothing and products made from natural fibers helps reduce poverty in certain countries.”

The day-long exhibit will be interactive with demonstrations where attendees can try their hand at weaving, spinning and drop-spindling. It will feature make-it/take its, how to make a bead from wet wool and demonstrations of “kumihimo” — the Japanese art of braiding with silk thread.

Guild president Cyndi Sorenson said more than familiar cotton, wool and silk other animal and plant fibers including bamboo will also be featured.

Bamboo is a natural textile made from the pulp of the bamboo stalk. The fabric has been growing in popularity because it has unique properties and is more sustainable than most textile fibers.

The fabric is light and strong, has excellent wicking properties. The use of bamboo fiber for clothing was a 20th-century development pioneered by Chinese manufacturers.

According to information from the U.N., “Relentless competition from synthetics (acetate, acrylic, nylon, polyester) and the current global economic downturn impact the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on natural fiber production and processing. That is why the International Year of Natural Fibres 2009 aims at raising global awareness of the importance of natural fibers not only to producers and industry but also to consumers and the environment.”

And at the end of their life cycle, natural fibers are 100 percent biodegradable.

“We want to reach out to the community to show what the Guild has to offer,” Sorenson said.

The library will have a display of fiber art books available for loan.

Ellen Sussman is a freelance writer in Green Valley. Contact her at ellen2414@cox.net.

WHERE IT COMES FROM

Animal and natural plant fibers

Alpaca - alpaca

Angora - rabbit

Cashmere-Kashmir goat

Mohair- Angora goat

Wool - sheep

Bamboo - plant stalk

Chitin - shrimp and crab shells

Cotton - plant

Flax/linen - plant stem

Jute - plant bark

Modal - wood pulp of beech tree

Ramie - plant bark

Silk - silkworm

Sisal - plant leaf of agave

Tencel/lyocell - wood pulp

If you go

What: International Year of Natural Fibers exhibit

When: Oct. 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Joyner-Green Valley Library, 601 N. La Canada Dr., Green Valley

Cost: Free

Further information is available at: www.naturalfibres2009.org.