fbpx
85

Spinning Competition

New this year, we are having several exciting spinning competitions on Friday March 10, 2023.

Spinning for Speed – 10-11am    Are you adventurous enough to try your hand at warp speed spinning?  Ever try spinning blindfolded? This fun competition will test your ability to produce a lightening fast yarn that will hold together long enough to be measured.  All experience levels are invited to join us for this fast and furious competition. 

Art Yarn Competition 1-4pm       Picasso, Rembrandt, Van Gogh…. Our fun Art Yarn competition will bring out your inner artist.   Our goal is to inspire fiber artists to think about creating yarn in ways they never have before.  All experience levels are invited to join us in the quest to create the most original yarn in this wild and wacky competition. 

-OR-

Extreme Art Yarn Competition 1-4pm       If art yarn is your passion, try our Extreme Challenge……  This competition will really challenge you to think outside of the box!!!  Limited to 10.  Each participant will receive a mystery bag of themed items to add to your yarn.    Your challenge is to channel your creative side and create a yarn that represents your theme.  The more mystery items you incorporate, the more bonus points you will receive.

 

Entry fee is $5 – includes both competitions.  However, you are not required to participate in both.

Competition Rules

Speed Spinning

Spinning for Speed – 10-11am Friday March 10, 2023

  • Everyone welcome – no age limit.
  • Registration is limited – Please register early.
  • Registration is online thru Wednesday March 8, 2023 or in person Friday March 10, 2023 9:00am at the front desk.
  • Participants and their equipment (spinning wheels, electric wheels or spindle ) must be in place by 10 am Friday March 10, 2023.
  • Each participant will receive 2 oz of the same wool roving. Everyone must use this roving for the competition.
  • Participants must start with an empty bobbin or spindle and empty it between rounds (or start with a new empty bobbin).
  • There will be separate competitions for Spinning Wheels, Electric Wheels and Spindles.
  • The competitions include:
    • Speed Singles – spin for two minutes – longest yarn wins
      • Spinning Wheels
      • Electric Spinning Wheels
      • Spindles
    • Blindfold Speed Singles – spin for two minutes – longest yarn wins
      • Spinning Wheels
      • Electric Spinning Wheels
      • Spindles
    • 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place ribbons will be awarded for each competition.
    • 1st place winners will receive a special custom project bag.

 

Art Yarn Competition 1-4pm  and
 EXTREME ART Yarn Spinning Competition 1-4pm           

  • Everyone welcome – no age limit and no art yarn spinning experience necessary.
  • Registration is limited – Please register early.
  • Registration is online thru Wednesday March 8, 2023 or in person Friday March 10, 2023 9:00am at the front desk.
  • Participants must be in place and ready to spin by 1 pm Friday March 10, 2023.
  • Bring your own art batt or roving, etc. to spin (2 ounce minimum) OR purchase one at the festival. 
  • Several vendors at the festival will have art batts for sale.
    • Alpaca of NC
    • Especially For Ewe
    • Fold Out Cat
    • Heelside Farm
  • 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place ribbons will be awarded for the best overall yarn.
  • 1st place winners will receive a fun collection of fibers to use on your next creation.

EXTREME ART Yarn Spinning Competition 1-4pm      

  • Registration is limited to the first TEN experienced spinners to sign up – Please register early.
  • Each participant will receive a mystery bag of themed items to add to your yarn.   
  • Registration is online thru Wednesday March 8, 2023 or in person Friday March 10, 2023 9:00am at the front desk.
  • Participants must be in place and ready to spin by 1 pm Friday March 10, 2023.
  • Bring your own art batt or roving, etc. to spin (2 ounce minimum) OR purchase one at the festival.  
  • Each participant will receive a mystery bag of themed items to add to your yarn. Your challenge is to channel your creative side and create a yarn that represents your theme.  The more mystery items you incorporate, the more bonus points you will receive.
  • Mystery bags will be given out starting at 11am. You will have 2 hours to plan how to incorporate them into your yarn and to purchase any additional fibers or supplies needed.
  • Participants will be judged on the technical creation of the yarn and the creative incorporation of the mystery items. The more items you use, the more bonus points you will receive.
  • 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place ribbons will be awarded for the best overall yarn.
  • 1st place winners will receive a fun collection of fibers to use on your next creation.

Rules

  • Each team will be made of up to 4 members who can both spin and weave, as decided by the team. This team should decide on the color scheme and design of the end product.
  • Each team will provide their own equipment (spinning wheels, pre-warped loom, shuttles, bobbin winder, hand cards, drum carders, flickers, etc.)
  • Each team is encouraged to dress in a style appropriate for theme. Costumes or team ensembles are encouraged.
  • 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.

    •  Hand-spun weft must be plied and will not exceed 3 times diameter of warp.
  • 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.

  • Equipment must arrive between 8 and 9 am and be set up by 9:30
  • Competition will begin at 10 am on Saturday, March 14, 2020, and end at 3 pm.
  • The completed shawl must be a minimum of 22 inches wide sleyed on the reed. The woven length must be 70” min/76”max long, excluding an optional fringe.
  • Weaver’s notes: The weaver’s notes shall include the weaving draft, fiber content with description/identification including a sample of warp, fiber content with description/identification including a sample of weft spun during competition and a description of the intended use of the finished product.
  • There is no entry fee.
  • Judging will be done by a fiber arts judge.
  • Prizes: Teams will receive appropriate ribbons:  1st Place $150; 2nd Place $100; 3rd Place $50. Non-monetary prizes may be awarded as available.
  • Finished shawls may be auctioned after the competition concludes.  This will be a 50/50 auction- 50% to the team and 50% to Carolina FiberFest Youth Scholarship.  If the shawl isn’t completed during the competition, it can be completed prior to the auction.

scoring- 100 POINT CRITERIA

    • Team storyboard poster
    • Team attire
    • Team spirit
    • Creativeness of theme

    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