Crafting Connections: Queensland Spinners, Weavers, and Fibre Artists Guild

The steady hum of spinning wheels and the gentle clack of looms weave tales of an ancient craft thriving in the heart of Queensland. The Queensland Spinners, Weavers, and Fibre Artists Guild (QSWFA) have long been the cornerstone of a community united by their passion for fibre arts. From humble fleece to the comforting embrace of handspun yarn, their journey is one of resilience and renewal.

Born with a mission to honour and preserve the time-honoured traditions of spinning and weaving, this group stands as a beacon of Queensland's rich cultural heritage. They not only safeguard the past but also infuse fresh creativity into their craft. The tightly-knit community surrounding the Queensland Spinners, Weavers, and Fibre Artists mirrors the intricate beauty of their creations.

About Queensland Spinners & Weavers

The QSWFA Guild have a rich history woven into Brisbane's community since 1969. Located in a charming old church and hall in Auchenflower aptly named Fibrecraft House, QSWFA is a hub for celebrating fibre arts and a nurturing space for artists to gather, create, and inspire. In today's craft revival, the guild welcomes both experienced members and younger crafters keen on preserving and celebrating fibre arts.

As guardians of tradition, QSWFA has diligently worked to bridge generational gaps, passing down and refining the skills of fibre crafting. The guild's rich history thrives within the walls of Fibrecraft House, hosting events that unite the community and carry the guild's story forward.

Mission and Objectives

From its inception, the QSWFA Guild has pursued a mission as intricate and profound as the crafts they produce. They aim to blend experienced artists' wisdom with newcomers' fresh perspectives, ensuring the ongoing evolution of fibre arts. Central to this mission is breaking down generational barriers and weaving a shared love for the craft into the community's fabric.

Fibrecraft House serves as a venue and a canvas for creativity. Here, active, talented, and friendly guild members come together for a range of fibre arts activities. QSWFA fosters a strong sense of community through events that showcase talent and facilitate trade, learning, and connections. Through these efforts and the resilience of its members, QSWFA has not just endured shifts in guild participation but has thrived, capturing renewed enthusiasm for fibre arts—a testament to the enduring allure of handcrafted beauty.

QSWFA Open Day and Workshops

Step into a world of creativity and craftsmanship at the QSWFA Open Day, this year held on May 11 2024, view the enchanting fashion show, purchase some of the best locally crafted works in diverse materials such as wool, cotton, silk, paper and other fibres and view the breadth of member's skills in spinning, weaving, felting, knitting, crocheting, dyeing, paper arts, bookmaking, and basket making. Classic techniques meet contemporary design.

Alternatively, discover the excitement of yarn, fabrics and other materials being transformed into art, wearables or functional items under the guidance of seasoned artisans like Kym Textor, Wendy Bailye, Karen Alpert or Cindy Wood, among others. You can view the list of upcoming workshops here.

These workshops and open days are more than just markets or lessons; they're a fusion of heritage, imagination, and community spirit.

QSWFA's Community Engagement

The guild is a staunch advocate for community enrichment through its non-profit initiatives. With a passionate commitment to the fibre arts and more, they serve as a dynamic catalyst for enthusiasts to connect, learn, and create. Through their extensive array of workshops, events, and exhibitions, QSWFA celebrates the rich and diverse realm of fibre arts, inspiring individuals to explore their creative potential. Moreover, their unwavering dedication to these endeavours is fortified by the support they offer to foster creativity, connection, and community engagement.

Explore how your support further bolsters QSWFA's efforts in three key areas:

• Reinforcing partnerships with the Royal Flying Doctor Services
• Enhancing the gallery shop experience
• Expanding access to community workshops

Royal Flying Doctors Service

The contributions made by QSWFA to support the Royal Flying Doctors Service cannot be commended highly enough. For over 20 years, members have worked hard to raise thousands upon thousands of dollars for this worthy cause. Some years have raised approximately $10,000. In the earlier years, this was done by creating a garment from fleece to yarn to needles or loom to finished wearables ready for the Royal Queensland Show’s (”The EKKA”) fashion show, all in the week of the EKKA. More recently, crafters create all year around to stock the stall with goods produced by their own hands to sell to raise funds. Be sure to get involved with their extraordinary fundraising efforts either as a member or by visiting their stall at the EKKA to purchase a beautiful handmade item.

QSWFA Gallery Shop: Showcasing Handmade Works of Art

Located within the tranquil setting of Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha, the Guild proudly and annually presents at its renowned Gallery Shop. This collection of handcrafted treasures features a variety of items skillfully made by the guild's talented members. From warm winter wear like scarves and hats to unique artistic pieces, each item in the Gallery Shop reflects the blend of traditional fibre artistry and contemporary design.

Visitors can browse and purchase one-of-a-kind items, knowing that each sale supports local fibre artists' passion and livelihood. The annual exhibition showcases the imagination and skill of fibre artists, highlighting QSWFA's dedication to nurturing a vibrant fibre arts community. This year, you can visit the gallery between July 12th-21st 2024

Support Local Fibre Artists: The Emporium

Another way the QSWFA supports its members and local crafting community is via the Emporium. The Emporium opens during some guild meetings and every Thursday by appointment, offering materials and tools for spinning, weaving, felting, and dyeing, building a supportive community of creators. This initiative ensures members have access to high-quality materials, with cost savings from bulk purchases directly benefiting craftspeople.

Community Workshops

One of the guild's newest endeavours revolves around workshops that are taking place at the Inala Community Hub. This series of workshops encourages an incredibly diverse group of individuals from different countries and language backgrounds to come together as a community. Crafting together allows many to make new connections despite language barriers, and every participant goes home with something. Depending on the workshop, this could be a little bento bag, a rope bowl, a tie-dye shirt, a crochet necklace, a felt brooch, and perhaps even a new craft they wish to build upon.

Guild Membership

QSWFA isn't just a guild; it's a community of creators who share a love for fibre arts. They host regular gatherings at Fibrecraft House in Brisbane, where members can meet, share ideas, and learn from each other. Membership comes with perks like access to the hall, equipment hire, and a library of resources. Members also get discounts on workshops and can shop for craft supplies at the Emporium. These gatherings and events strengthen the bonds within the artisan community, creating connections that weave through every project.

Collaboration is key at Queensland Spinners Weavers & Fibre Artists. They bring members together for projects like Fibre Arts Retreats, where artisans can learn and create in a peaceful setting. Workshops are interactive spaces where creativity meets skill-building, leading to growth and artistic development. The Emporium provides the tools and materials needed for these projects, supporting the collective spirit of the guild. Through their work, QSWFA members craft a story of cooperation and creativity that extends beyond their community.

Some benefits of joining the QSWFA guild include:

Meetings

One of the biggest perks of becoming a guild member is the social aspect. Various groups meet regularly at the guild to connect over a wide variety of crafts. These regularly scheduled meetings include multi-craftual groups such as "night owls", specific groups such as "felters" or the "book and paper group", and then there are the EKKA spinners who spin with the common goal of creating from donated fleece and natural fibres for the QSWFA guild EKKA stand!

Regular Zoom meetings have become commonplace for those who can't attend in person and assist in connecting members separated by distance or other circumstances.

Become a member or visit their website to find a group to suit you.

Spoken Word Project

The guild is collecting and collating stories of older, experienced, long-term, and even lifetime members to tell the history of how the guild started and their personal interactions with the group as they have changed over the years. Memories of past exhibitions, which have even been held in some of Brisbane's beautiful historic cathedrals, tips, and extraordinary wisdom, are all being recorded for posterity. The group has hundreds of years of experience, knowledge and memory to preserve and share.

Library

The QSWFA library is a treasure trove of knowledge and inspiration for Queensland Spinners, Weavers and Fibre Artists Guild members. The library is filled with books, magazines, patterns, and resources on various fibrecrafts. It is valuable for members looking to expand their skills and explore new techniques. Whether you're interested in spinning, weaving, dyeing, felting, basket making, knitting, crocheting, or machine knitting; all crafts are covered by the organisation. The library has something for everyone. Guild members are able to borrow materials from the library to further their craft journey and continue learning and growing in their fibrecraft pursuits.

Equipment hire

As a guild member, you would have access to equipment hire. This equipment spans from fibre processing tools to spinning wheels, looms and more. It is a valuable resource for the beginner trying a new craft before committing to a purchase or for someone who might only need a specialty piece of equipment for rare occasions.

Sharing Tips and Techniques

QSWFA promotes shared learning and improvement through educational programs and gatherings. At Fibre Arts Retreats, skill-share sessions allow attendees to refine existing skills and learn new ones in a supportive environment. With a focus on helping beginners, the guild organises monthly mentoring meetups to enhance spinning techniques.

Beyond hands-on learning, QSWFA guides members to online resources like Google for free knitting patterns and YouTube for technique videos. Workshops cover diverse topics such as Shibori scarf designs using microwave dyeing or mastering multi-shaft looms. These workshops highlight QSWFA's dedication to actively nurturing its community's skills.

Online Community and Networking

QSWFA embraces digital networking while honouring its traditional roots. The guild's longstanding presence in Brisbane connects fibrecraft enthusiasts across generations and fosters community through skill-sharing. Events like the Fibre Arts Gallery Shop physically display members' work. At the same time, social media platforms offer robust online connectivity.

Their active Facebook page updates the community on events, workshops, and fibre craft supplies. By maintaining a solid online presence, QSWFA ensures both new and old members can stay connected, share experiences, and continue building a vibrant network of fibre artists.

A Community Promoting and Preserving Fibre Crafts

Fibre crafts serve as both creative outlets and cultural treasures, linking us to our heritage. The Queensland Spinners, Weavers, and Fibre Artists Guild (QSWFA) stand as a guardian of these ancient crafts. By nurturing a supportive and skilled community in Brisbane, the guild ensures the thriving continuation of spinning, weaving, dyeing, felting, knitting, crocheting, and more in today's world.

QSWFA provides its members with a wealth of benefits. Access to specialised equipment and hall facilities allows for exploring and refining traditional practices. With a resource-rich library and quality supplies available at the on-site Emporium, members are well-equipped for crafting journeys.

The guild's commitment to generational inclusivity breathes vitality into these crafts. Educational workshops and skill-sharing opportunities maintain a vibrant crafting community and inspire future generations. Upholding a 50-year legacy, the guild provides an extensive range of fibres, equipment, and tools, supporting members in spinning, weaving, felting, and dyeing.

At the heart of QSWFA are its diverse members, each contributing a unique thread to the community fabric. From experienced artisans to newcomers, the guild fosters a welcoming environment for all ages. In a fast-paced world, the guild serves as a bastion of tradition, passing down skills and knowledge to younger generations.

If you're passionate about preserving heritage crafts and joining a vibrant crafting community, consider becoming a member of the Queensland Spinners, Weavers, and Fibre Artists Guild today!