What is Fibre Art?

Fibre Art can be described as painting and sculpting with fabric, threads, yarn and fibre. Work can be two-dimensional wall art, three-dimensional sculptures or wearable art.

Fabrics used are painted, hand-dyed or commercially dyed. They may be cotton, silk, linen and wool or any of the wide range of synthetic fibres. Threads, yarns and fibres used are also a variety of natural and synthetic fibres. Fabrics, threads, yarns and fibres are chosen for their colour and textural elements.

There are countless techniques to create texture in Fibre Art. Beginning with a variety of weights, weaves and sheens of fabrics and yarns, texture can be further enhanced by manipulating the materials. Deliberate folds might be created, edges torn, pieces raised by stuffing the underside, yarns couched (hand-stitched on), holes or edges burned, additional elements added to float on top of the piece, embroidery, etc. Non-traditional elements include the use of metal, papers, bubble wrap, wax, and again the list goes on. But let’s not forget about the use of beads and how they add detail and glitter!

Wet-felting and needle-felting are techniques to create paintings and sculptures using wool fleece. Knitting, crocheting, embroidery, needle-punch, quilting, thread-painting, dyeing, and mono printing are other techniques used in the creation of fibre art pieces in the FAB@50 exhibition.

Fibre Art, like quilting, is a labour of love. Sewing machines are pushed to their limits as are fingers and imagination. It can be a time-consuming process often presenting technical challenges.

Come and try
FAB (Fibre Arts Bunch) on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays
from 10am – 3pm.

Nimble Fingers every Wednesday from 3 – 9pm.

Stephanie will happily answer questions about groups meeting at the Centre.