Let’s gather together to celebrate all the fibre that is produced and crafted in our region!
On Saturday January 31, the Stuartburn Emerson-Franklin Local Food Initiative is planning a full day of fibre-based demonstrations, workshops and a market with talented local makers and artists.
WHEN: Saturday January 31 2026, 9am to 5pm.
WHERE: Tolstoi Community Centre (formerly Tolstoi Senior’s Centre) in Tolstoi, Manitoba,
Everyone is welcome to come and go throughout the day. The event is free to attend. A canteen run by Uptown Café and Bakery will be available.
Demonstration Schedule:
9 am to 10 am - Leatherwork with Hanna Brandt of Holy Hanna Art.
10 am to 11 am - Basket Weaving with Wild Plants with Laura Reeves of Prairie Shore Botanicals
11 am to 12 pm - Wool Processing: Washing, Carding, Spinning with Leah Bouchard of Green Pastures Farm and Kim Loewen of The Knotty Lamb
Watch the process of turning a raw fleece into yarn. We'll show you how to wash a small batch of wool, what carding means, and what the hand spinning process looks like.
1 pm to 1:30 pm - Wet Felting with Leah Bouchard
Learn how to get started with wet felting - discover how to create a piece of felted wool fabric with just water and soap, and the endless options of what to create with it. Leah will have some patterns available to be purchased.
1:30 pm to 2 pm - Circular Knitting Machines with Kim Loewen and Bev Rapinda of Hidden Prairie Homestead
If you’ve ever been curious about trying a circular knitting machine, then join us as we show you the tips and tricks of getting started. We’ll show you what yarns work well, what snags to watch out for, how to cast on and off, and how to finish a toque. This is a beginner’s introduction to the machine, and you’ll have the chance to try one out for yourself.
3 pm to 3:30 pm - Wild Quills & Ink with Bev Rapinda
For something a little different, Bev will be showing you how to combine oak trees and feathers - both foraged from local forests. Oak galls have been used for centuries as writing ink. Learn the fun and simple science behind it, and try out a quill. Feather and ink sets will be available for purchase.
A Vendor Market will be taking place throughout the day from 9 am to 5 pm.
VENDORS:
· The Knotty Lamb – fibre based tools, felted wool products, crochet
· Green Pastures Farm- wool comforters, yarn, and patterns
· Shepherd's Dream – dryer balls, felting kits, wool pillows
· Poppy & Mae Co. – handmade clothing and crochet
· Holy Hanna Art – leather and fur products
· CheaperThanTherapy Rustic Works – wooden decor
· Thrive Like A Wildflower Holistics – wild foraged herbs and wood craft products
· Prairie's Edge Wool Farm – fleeces and carded batts, shetland and angora fibre
The following workshops require pre-registration.
Pre-register by emailing BorderlandFibreShindig@gmail.com
Needle Felted Token Workshop with Janet Kroeker 12 pm to 1 pm
Make a beautiful wool felt token! You can choose to make a bunting (with up to six flags), 3D heart, flower, or round felt canvass. Recommended for ages 10 and up, $25 per person.
Birdhouse Workshop with Cheaperthantherapy Rusticworks 2 pm to 3 pm
Make a swallow wooden birdhouse with instructions on where to mount it. All pieces are supplied but bring a hammer if you have one. $20 per person.
Mug Rug with Kim Loewen 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Weave a beautiful mug rug out of cotton yarn. Beginner friendly. $25 per person
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