PICTURES: Dornoch cements reputation as textile mecca as 2024 Fibre Fest attracts highest number of entries ever
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Dornoch has once again lived up to its reputation as a mecca for textile enthusiasts from all over the UK.
Organisers of the town’s 15th Fibre Fest, which ran from March 8-10, said masterclasses and workshops were sold out and the number of entries was the highest ever.
Traders were also said to be “absolutely delighted” with the interest shown in their diverse products.
Renowned Scottish artist Dr Andrew Crummy, who has designed many major community tapestries including the Great Tapestry of Scotland and the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands, delivered the keynote talk entitled Scottish Tapestries and Beyond. The talk attracted an audience of over 80 people.
Dr Crummy was keen to point out that the real "heroes" behind community tapestries are the hundreds of volunteer stitchers.
Panels from the Tapestry of the Highlands and Islands were on display at Dornoch Free Church during the Fibre Fest.
One of the main workshops held this year was weaving, led by well-known weaving tutor Jan Beadle from Cumbria. She chose Highland-inspired workshops with one on herringbone tweed and the other on clasped weft.
An embroidery class was led by Kirstie Campbell, the stitch coordinator for the Highlands and Islands Tapestry.
There were no knitting workshops this year but a peg loom class was run by Jo Henderson through the Lairg Learning Centre. There was also a tapestry class for children.
A demonstration by the Highland Guild of Spinners Weavers and Dyers at the Dornoch Hub attracted the best attendance ever with many people wanting to try their hand.
A competition to create a hat suitable for a music festival produced some colourful designs and was won by Judi Sutherland with her Zulu inspired hat.
A Fibre Fest spokesperson said: “Overall the event had a great buzz with lots of young people showing interest.
“We had our largest number of traders attend, many old friends but also two new traders and they all reported that they had a great time with lots of interest in their products.
"Many of our traders are based in the Highlands and some produce their own products with an emphasis on local, sustainable and environmentally aware production."
“Thanks go to all the local businesses who supported the event and ideas and planning for next year’s Fibre Fest are already in the pipeline.
