Fashion Show Chair, Karen Sieradski

The best part of the 2023 ANWG Fashion Show and Exhibit is seeing how fiber artists bring their skills and imagination to fruition in wearable creations. I can hardly wait to see what Northwest weavers send in!

We have structured the fashion show awards to encourage entries using any number of shafts with a specific category for 4 or fewer shafts. Of course, the structures you can achieve with more than four shafts are also stunning, so we want to see those too!

The premise behind the fashion show is sharing the love of weaving with others. For me, my affinity for textiles was a genetic gift from my mother who excelled at sewing and knitting. She taught me how to thread a needle and I would raid her fabric stash for scraps to turn into simple garments for my dolls. Through my school days and career years I made blouses, trousers, skirts, dresses, coats and suits. I took sewing classes and participated in shows and competitions. And although I never won an award, I enjoyed the process and loved seeing everyone’s garments.

Over the years, my sewing production decreased as time got scarcer. I would often tell my friends, “In my next life, I’m going to be a textile designer!” Well, guess what? After I retired and took a weaving class and my passion for textiles was rekindled and redirected in the most satisfying way. What fabric stores were for me in the past is what the local textile shop is for me now. That’s where I find my guild, fibers, teachers and my inspiration.

A perk of guild membership is sharing items at meetings, and wearables are especially fun to see and share. Which is why the fashion show is a highlight of the conference and all entries will be deeply appreciated by fellow weavers.

Categories for the 2023 Fiber Connections Conference Fashion Show Awards

• Best in Show
• Best garment made of handwoven fabric with 4 shafts or fewer
• Best garment made of handwoven fabric with more than 4 shafts
• Best garment made with felted fabric
• Best garment made with handspun yarn
• Best scarf or shawl knitted with handspun yarn
• Best garment construction
• Best use of design
• Best scarf or shawl handwoven with 4 shafts or fewer
• Best scarf or shawl handwoven with more than 4 shafts
• Most innovative garment (unusual materials, structure, color and/or design)
• Best interpretation of conference theme
• Best use of conference colors
• Judge’s choice
• People’s choice

I hope you will plan now to weave and sew for the show!

Karen Sieradski
Chair of the 2023 Fiber Connections Fashion Show and Exhibit

How to Enter the Fashion Show
Eligibility Requirements
Calendar
Contact Information
Entry Form

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The Weaving Guilds of Oregon conference steering committee is very busy planning for the upcoming Association of Northwest Weavers’ Guilds Conference. Please continue to visit our website for information and conference updates. If you would like to receive information delivered to your inbox, please subscribe to the conference blog.