Whether you spin, knit, weave, embroider, crochet, slow stitch, bead, or hand quilt, join others with the same creative passion in one of Elkhart County's premier destinations to ply your favorite craft with other like-minded artisans. Let the rush of the water over the rocks, the warmth of the fall sunshine, natures' fall colors, the rustle of leaves and bird songs provide the music and ambiance for your own unique creativity. Bring a project with you to work on. Roam the gardens and choose your special spot of inspiration to create!

Bring your own chair or use what is available in the garden.

Demonstrators

1) Janis Nelson - Kawandi - Time: 10:30 AM

Learn about Kawandi that are made by Siddis elderly East African Women who are no longer able to work on the farm.  These are artfully composed quilts to serve as bedding and house adornments.  These quilts are all about using scrap fabric and saris, they are distinctive in their use of color and the techniques used in which fabrics are placed over a cotton sari foundation and hand stitched with a long running stitch.  They work from the outside border toward the middle.

Janis learned to stitch/sew a very young age and has never stopped.  She makes the most of her sewing time and the fabric at hand.  When sewing Quilts of Valor she most enjoys sewing stars in the quilts.  She sewed for a profession creating the inside of semi cabs.  Janis latest adventure is learning about and creating a variety of Kawandi quilt pieces.

2) Lauren Peacock - Beaded Embroidered Ornament - Time: 11:30 AM

Introduction to basic bead embroidery techniques to create an embroidered Christmas Ornament.

Lauren Peacock is owner of the Beaded Peacock at Winona Lake, IN.  This is the area’s only bead shop.  Lauren has over a decade of beading classes taught with the primary focus in bead weaving.

3) June Nemeth - Yarn On Front Street - Time: 01:30 PM

Yarn, Color & Design Trends in Knitting & Crocheting

June and Sarah will discuss what’s currently grabbing knitters & crocheters in both fibers and colors used in their needles and hooks, and the designers who are trending.

June has owned “Yarn On Front” for 9 years, and Sarah is the store manager & chief enabler. Together they bring over 50 years of knitting & crocheting experience to the table, as well as experts in counseling, education & accounting.

4) Jamie Anthony - Time: 02:30 PM

Jamie is a lifelong "collector." She started dumpster diving while in college (literally, to retrieve the Fullerton Street "EL" sign being replaced near her college residence hall).  As an avid scrap booker, she discovered a love for mini albums and journal making. Having moved her "impressive" collection of art supplies from home to home, she declared a moratorium on purchasing  paper and scrapbook supplies, and has dedicated the last few years to intentionally creating with only what she has and what can be repurposed. Jamie also uses repurposed items as substrates and within her Mixed Media Artwork.  Along with her labels of "collector" and mixed media artist, Jamie is also a musician, photographer, and enthusiastic fiber artist.

We will explore using repurposed everyday items destined for the landfill that  can be made into beautiful handmade journals. As a result of this demonstration you will be discovering all of the treasures hiding in plain site that will start you on your own journals.  You need no other supplies than what you already have.  Really!

Your $25 ECQFE Fiber Retreat ticket includes:

• Admission to the Gardens for the day

• Light box lunch, water, snacks

• ECQFE project bag

• Free demos (kits available)

• Door prize drawings

Please notify us, using the contact us form, if you have any dietary restrictions or you can email us at gracie.elkhart@gmail.com

Wellfield Botanic Gardens for more information about the Wellfield Botanic Gardens