Carolina FiberFest is hosting a friendly and educational Fleece to Fabric Competition. With a maximum of three teams competing, CFF attendees will see how raw fleece turns into a beautiful shawl.
This competition is made up of 3 teams of 4 members who will demonstrate and explain the process of creating a shawl from natural fiber to woven fabric using traditional methods and equipment. Each team will prepare raw fleece, spin the singles, ply the yarn and weave a shawl in a 5 hour time limit. Competition will be limited to 3 teams.
Registration will be accepted online at CarolinaFiberFest.org or by emailing Jane Clark at criblemansurialpaca@gmail.com. Since this competition is limited to three teams, early registration is recommended.
Team name, participants’ names and addresses, contact phone numbers, and email addresses of all team members will be needed. Please indicate the captain or responsible person of the team.
Registration deadline: February 15, 2023
For question, contact Jane Clark at criblemansurialpaca@gmail.com
Each team will be required to take a 30-minute break. Breaks will be staggered with the first team taking a break at 11:30. When teams take a break, no work can be completed during their 30 minute timeframe. The break schedule will be determined by agreement of the teams prior to the start of the competition.
**WARP: Any natural fiber can be used for the warp. The warp may be handspun or commercial, natural colored or hand dyed at no fewer than 8 ends per inch with a required 4 shaft pattern of the team’s choice. Warp should be tied on the loom on arrival, with no header woven.
**WEFT: Each team will provide its own fleece for the weft. The fleece may be washed and/or dyed, but no further processing is allowed. Weft fiber will be prepared for spinning during the contest by teasing, flicking, hand carding, or using non-electric drum carders.
Each team will provide a storyboard poster detailing:
**Team information, names of team members, guild name if appropriate, location of team, and theme.
**Inspiration: What inspired you to make this particular shawl, color selection/pattern
**Technical information: equipment used, weaving pattern/strategy, fiber and yarn samples, spinning techniques, fiber processing methods and weaver’s notes.
Education of audience: knowledge of process and interaction with observers – 5 points
Choice and Preparation
Dyed Warp and/or Weft
Uniform preparation, size & type of yarn produced
Ability to keep weaver supplied
Design
Straightness of edges with minimal draw in (use of temple is not allowed)
Evenness of beating
Handspun warp
No threading or treadling errors
First finish
Second finish
Aesthetic appeal, including drape, hand and appearance
Bonus points
Fringe—5 bonus points
Deductions for measurements outside of standards
Length—minus 5 points
Width—minus 5 points