Fibersheds and Watersheds: A Weaving Water Free Indigo and Fiber Workshop

Spin your own yarn as we twist our minds around fibersheds and watersheds, and figure out how you play a role in these invisible systems.

Workshop Details

• Learn the basics of spinning, or yarn-making, one of the oldest human technologies. The twisting of short fibers to create lengths of usable yarn is a necessary step before making any kind of woven or knit cloth. Imagine where we’d be without cloth!
• Maddy Bartsch of Three Rivers Fibershed will lead us in a spinning circle as she helps us visualize a regional soil-to-soil fiber system. Spin your own length of yarn to dye in the organic indigo vat. See and try different types of spinning tools and sample techniques. This is just an intro to spinning, but we’ll point you toward more resources if you fall in love with it. No fiber or textile experience needed whatsoever!
• Workshops are guided by artists and intended to open up channels of communication that help us reconnect to natural systems we depend on. Come with an open mind to learn and share what you know.
• Personal Watersheds will also be open, with the SAORI loom available and other fiber activities in addition to spinning.

Featured Artist

Three Rivers Fibershed is an affiliate branch of Fibershed, an international movement which “develops regional fiber systems that build soil and protect the health of our biospheres.” Co-President and Three Rivers Fibershed co-founder Maddy Bartsch (they/she) is a farmer, educator and organizer who helps folks navigate local textile economies. Maddy speaks and teaches on the topic of local fiber systems and sustainable textiles to learners of all ages throughout the Midwest.

About

Weaving Water Workshops connect people to our local wonder, the Mississippi River, through free community indigo and fiber art workshops. Mississippi Watershed Management Organization’s (MWMO) Artist in Residence Sarah Nassif facilitates hands-on creative experiences that encourage us to see ourselves as vital parts of our urban watershed system. Workshops explore different aspects of fiber and indigo dye techniques and invite participants to converse about their personal relationships to water.

Accompanying Exhibit Personal Watersheds is installed as an interactive exhibit at MWMO for the community to come together and play with fiber, natural indigo dye and cloth traditions from many cultures. This exhibit is open to the public during open building hours. See mwmo.org for current hours.

Volunteer for Weaving Water

I always need help setting up and cleaning up workshops. If you are interested, add on “volunteer” to your ticket or email sarah@sarahnassif.com to learn more about opportunities beyond the free fiber workshops.

Location

All workshops are scheduled to be in person at MWMO (2522 Marshall St NE) unless otherwise noted. Workshops may be held via Zoom and project kits will be mailed out in case it is not possible to gather in person for any reason.

Attire / COVID Safety / Intergenerational Info / Accessibility

Dress in clothes that may be stained. Masks and aprons welcome. Please stay home if you are experiencing any COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms. Thank you for helping us stay healthy! There may be activities indoors and outdoors depending on weather.

We encourage intergenerational learning! We offer a guided “open studio” format. Those under the age of 16 need to be accompanied by an adult, and adults will need to guide their youngsters as needed in different activities. There are many ways to engage for all ages and abilities. If you need any accessibility accommodations, please email amoore@mwmo.org.