(Nov. 10, 2016) Right now, the thing Dr. Cindy Byrd, executive director of the Julia Purnell Museum, wants everyone to know about FiberFest! is that the event is still happening.
The event was rescheduled from its original date, Oct. 8, because of the threat of Hurricane Matthew coupled with the previous weeks’ deluge that left much of the town flooded.
The Julia Purnell Museum, situated on the banks of the Pocomoke River, was able to hold back the encroaching waters, while other places, nearby Byrd Park for example, were flooded for several days.
Though no repeat of last month’s squall is forecast, Byrd said the event would move down to the old firehouse downtown if even a sprinkle were to occur.
As for the event itself, it returns in full force with vendors, demonstrations, games, crafts and art. The event runs during the museum’s regular hours, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and admission to both FiberFest! and the museum are free on Saturday.
“The vendors will have both supplies and finished items for sale. We’ve opened up the vendors a little to include more art. There will be someone there selling pottery, and jewelry,” she said. “We’re also going to have a quilt raffle and a cake and pie sale.”
At 1 p.m., Jenny Hall, town councilwoman and accomplished needle worker, will be judging the entries into the Delmarva Needle Art Show and Competition, which began back in early September. Hall will be awarding ribbons to the winners of each division.
At 2:30 p.m., Byrd plans to lead a guided tour inside the museum, where visitors will see a selection of the museum’s sewing machines and how technologies and techniques evolved.
“We’ll be going through the history of mechanization in sewing. The museum has about 25 or so in the collection, and I’ve chosen five or six examples to really highlight some of the advancements made as the art developed.”
There will also be demonstrations, she said, including sheep shearing, natural dye and a session on how to harvest silk.
“It’s to show how silk is made, and you can see that part of the process and how it used to be done. You might even get to try getting a thread from a cocoon,” Byrd said.
Throughout the day, Byrd said, people will be spinning wool into yarn as well.
“Originally the event was in honor of Julia’s artwork,” she said.
The museum’s collection includes about 1,000 of its namesake’s artwork, including pieces made when she was 9 and when she was 92 years old.
“I especially want people to know this is a fun, free, family-friendly event. It’s not a conference of little old ladies. Museum admission is also free that day, so it’s a good time to come and just enjoy the museum,” Byrd said.
The event was rescheduled from its original date, Oct. 8, because of the threat of Hurricane Matthew coupled with the previous weeks’ deluge that left much of the town flooded.
The Julia Purnell Museum, situated on the banks of the Pocomoke River, was able to hold back the encroaching waters, while other places, nearby Byrd Park for example, were flooded for several days.
Though no repeat of last month’s squall is forecast, Byrd said the event would move down to the old firehouse downtown if even a sprinkle were to occur.
As for the event itself, it returns in full force with vendors, demonstrations, games, crafts and art. The event runs during the museum’s regular hours, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and admission to both FiberFest! and the museum are free on Saturday.
“The vendors will have both supplies and finished items for sale. We’ve opened up the vendors a little to include more art. There will be someone there selling pottery, and jewelry,” she said. “We’re also going to have a quilt raffle and a cake and pie sale.”
At 1 p.m., Jenny Hall, town councilwoman and accomplished needle worker, will be judging the entries into the Delmarva Needle Art Show and Competition, which began back in early September. Hall will be awarding ribbons to the winners of each division.
At 2:30 p.m., Byrd plans to lead a guided tour inside the museum, where visitors will see a selection of the museum’s sewing machines and how technologies and techniques evolved.
“We’ll be going through the history of mechanization in sewing. The museum has about 25 or so in the collection, and I’ve chosen five or six examples to really highlight some of the advancements made as the art developed.”
There will also be demonstrations, she said, including sheep shearing, natural dye and a session on how to harvest silk.
“It’s to show how silk is made, and you can see that part of the process and how it used to be done. You might even get to try getting a thread from a cocoon,” Byrd said.
Throughout the day, Byrd said, people will be spinning wool into yarn as well.
“Originally the event was in honor of Julia’s artwork,” she said.
The museum’s collection includes about 1,000 of its namesake’s artwork, including pieces made when she was 9 and when she was 92 years old.
“I especially want people to know this is a fun, free, family-friendly event. It’s not a conference of little old ladies. Museum admission is also free that day, so it’s a good time to come and just enjoy the museum,” Byrd said.