Alpaca Ontario - Fibre Promotion and Seminars

Alpaca Fibre Fantasy

Alpaca Fibre Fantasy 2009

The Alpaca Ontario Fibre Promotion Committee extends a big "thank you" to everyone who participated in this year’s Alpaca Fibre Fantasy at the Alpaca Ontario Show, April 18, 19. No event would be successful without volunteers and those who helped to make the Alpaca Fibre Fantasy happen deserve our salute for their time, energy and enthusiasm.

Fibre Fantasy 2009 was the biggest and best ever. In celebration of the International Year of Natural Fibres (IYNF) an educational Alpaca Fibre Display Centre was developed and added. This hands-on exhibit showcased the various grades of raw fleece with corresponding spun, knit, woven and felted samples affording an opportunity for all to feel the difference between the grades and how it is processed. Focus on Fibre mini-sessions were held at designated times in front of the Fibre Display Centre where a number of attentive participants learned all about this exotic fibre. A brochure featuring the IYNF was on hand to take away as a reminder.

The Guelph Spinners and Weavers Guild graciously accepted our invitation to give a Fleece-to-Fashion demonstration, crafting a beautiful woven shawl from hand spun alpaca fibre. There was a keen interest by passers-by who watched the hand carding, hand spinning and weaving as so beautifully demonstrated by our experts. There were many questions asked. The raffle to win the shawl was won by Dan Hicks of Moncton, N.B.

The AO MAE Spin-off competition received 61 entries from participating farms as far away as British Columbia and Manitoba. These fleeces were divided into colour groups white/beige, fawn, brown, black and grey. The fleece samples were spun and evaluated by four master spinners. First, second and third place winners were displayed at the Alpaca Fibre Fantasy Display. Please click here for results.

The Juried Fibre Art competition included new category this year to include Hand Spun yarn. There were thirty-six impressive entries which were judged on Friday, April 17 by two fibre experts in their field. Highest scores out of 100 determined the winners who were announced at the Saturday night banquet. The winning entries were then displayed in the Fibre Exhibition area on Sunday for all to see. Please click here for winning entries.

All items entered into the Juried Fibre Arts Competition could also be entered in the People's Choice competition. Visitors were invited to choose their favourite items by ballot. The choice was a difficult task because there were so many beautiful and creative items to choose from. The ballots were counted after closing of competition on Saturday and the highest scores determined the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. The item with the highest scores received the Grand Prize. The winners were announced at the Saturday night banquet and their winning entries were displayed in the Fibre Exhibition area on Sunday beside the Juried Fibre Arts Competition winners. Please click here to see winners.

It was our second year to host a Fashion Show which was held at the Saturday night banquet. There were 27 models that beautifully showed off all things alpaca, from knitted and crocheted garments to felted jewelry and even alpaca fabric. The judges awarded ribbons to the top three participants. The fashion show highlighted the endless and varied uses for alpaca in the fashion industry, the home and beyond.

Looking forward to even greater participation in 2010!

Ausma Clappison (Chair)

Alpaca Fibre Fantasy 2008

The Alpaca Ontario Fibre Promotion Committee extends a big "thank you" to everyone who participated in this year’s Alpaca Fibre Fantasy at the Alpaca Ontario Show, April 12-13. Two new competitions were introduced and the response in entries exceeded our expectations. No event would be successful without volunteers and those who helped to make the Alpaca Fibre Fantasy happen deserve our salute for their time, energy and enthusiasm.

The first ever Canadian Spin-off competition received 71 entries from 29 participating farms as far away as British Columbia and Alberta. Three age groups with 4 colour classifications made up the classes and the samples were spun and evaluated by five experienced spinners in Ontario. The highest scores out of 100 maximum points determined 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners in each class. The winning fibre samples and ribbons were displayed in the Fibre Exhibition area for all to see. Please click here for results.

The inaugural A.O. Juried Fibre Art competition was separated into Hobby Art and Studio Art divisions. Each consisted of three categories: garments, accessories and home fashions. Thirty-five impressive entries were judged the whole day Friday, April 11th, by two fibre artists. Highest scores out of 100 determined the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners, with a Grand Prize winner for the highest score. The winners and their cash awards were announced at the Saturday night banquet. The winning entries were then displayed in the Fibre Exhibition area on Sunday for all to see. Please click here for winning entries.

Fleeces of different colours were graded into the 6 Canadian Grades and set-up for everyone to touch and feel the differences in each alpaca grade.

For the first time a Fashion Show was held at the Saturday night banquet where AO members volunteered to model their own creations. Twenty models meandered among the dinner tables showing their creative and innovative alpaca garments to the delight and applause of patrons. The lady models each received a yellow rose and the gentlemen a carnation for their participation. The fashion show highlighted the endless and varied uses for alpaca in the fashion industry, the home and beyond.

Looking forward to even greater participation in 2009!

Caecilia Goetze (Chair)

Alpaca Ontario Fibre Promotion Committee

Top