FINDING FIBER ARTS COMMUNITIES NEAR AND FAR

In this digital age, the definition of what people consider their “community” has evolved and expanded significantly. The internet, and social media in particular, has certainly presented challenges, but it has also provided us with incredible opportunities to connect with one another. Finding a fiber arts community is no exception. Whether you use the web as a tool to find fiber arts groups in your area or to join one of the many thriving communities operating online, there are so many ways to access fiber arts education, inspiration, and camaraderie in the modern era.

As with many things, in-person access may be limited by a number of factors, but whether you live in a thriving metropolitan center or a substantial smaller town, fiber arts communities may be closer than you think! The local library may be one of the most underrated resources at your disposal, with many offering so much more than just access to books. Apart from the amazing educational and inspirational opportunities provided by fiber arts literature when trying to pick up a new craft, many libraries host a wide variety of community programs and chances to connect with other crafters. Here in Philadelphia, the Free Library of Philadelphia regularly hosts a variety of crafting events, including their “Sew What?! Afternoon and Evening Sewcials” and “Fiber Arts Skill Share.” These events provide amazing opportunities to not only connect with fellow fiber artists in your area, but also ease financial or other access barriers to picking up a new craft by providing not only free instruction, but also the tools and materials needed to participate in their fiber arts event at no cost to participants. To find out if your local library offers similar programs, check their website and upcoming events page to see if they include arts and crafts in their public programming.

Fiber arts classes or community groups can be found online, whether you want to learn a new skill or simply work on your own project alongside other crafters. There are several international organizations that operate through local chapters and independent groups run by community members that can be found through a quick Google search or by browsing social media sites like Instagram. Are you a knitter looking to socialize with other crafters in a low stress, highly social environment? Check out Drunken Knitwits, a cleverly named crafting collective hosting pub knits worldwide and currently operating out of 13 cities across Australia, Europe, and North America (including Philadelphia!). Are you a woman or queer person in Philadelphia seeking to connect with other young fiber artists? Dessert Before Dinner may be the perfect choice. New to the city, DB4D describes itself as an “inclusive gathering space for women, nonbinary, and trans folks to explore art, share conversation, and make real friendships,” providing a great opportunity to explore different types of fiber crafts, improve your personal crafting practice, and build community in a queer friendly space. Are you hoping to gain a new skill in a more structured learning environment? Explore the fiber arts offerings at The Arts League of Philadelphia. The Arts League hosts a wide variety of weekly courses, including some in more niche fiber arts like loom tapestry weaving as well as traditional skills like quilting and sewing. Dedicated instructors are available to demonstrate and provide constructive feedback and hands-on assistance, making it the ideal place to begin your fiber arts journey or to grow your existing practice.

In addition to being useful tools to find fiber arts opportunities near you, social media and the broader internet provide great opportunities to find fiber arts communities of a different kind. If you’re looking for inspiration, Instagram and Pinterest can be great places to see the work of other fiber artists or get ideas for a new project of your own. If you’re looking for a more interactive experience that more closely mimics an in-person group, Reddit might be the place for you. Reddit provides the opportunity to highly curate your feed and hosts communities focused on a wide variety of fiber arts topics. Even within one fiber arts discipline, there are multiple pages that can allow you to get specific advice, product recommendations, or to just see other work. For example, if you’re a crochet enthusiast, you might enjoy r/Crochet, r/crocheting, r/CrochetBlankets, r/crochetpatterns, or r/YarnAddicts, just to name a few. Between online and in-person community networks, the opportunities are just about endless!

Crafters chatting and working side by side at a DB4D event.

PHOTO CREDIT: Talia Pugliese