Strollers head around the block

Visitors to Sisters on Sunday afternoon got a glimpse into the creative process of more than 30 fiber artists during the annual Around the Block Fiber Arts Stroll.

The artists plied their crafts at a multitude of locations in downtown Sisters, creating their work as visitors watched - and sometimes touched. This being the run-up to the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show, quilts were part of the mix, but the array of crafts included weaving, basketry, fabric dying, jewelry making and even fly-tying.

Debbie Slater held court in the courtyard behind The Paper Place, demonstrating her techniques for marbeling on fabric.

"You can take multiple tools and manipulate fabric," Slater explained as she swirled acrylic paints in a pan and dunked cloth into it, agitating the mixture to come up with a variety of patterns.

The conversation grew technical as visitors tried to maximize the opportunity to learn.

Paulina Springs Books hosted Charlotte Anderson from Berkeley, California. Anderson creates unique jewelry using fabric beads, silk cording and gemstones.

"I used to be a weaver and a spinner, so I've got a passion for textiles," she said. "I gather little bits and piece of fabric and incorporate it with beads and found items."

Over in another corner was Sherry Steele, who has gained a region-wide reputation as a fly-tyer. She was thrilled to be part of the fiber arts stroll.

"The art stroll sees tying as an art, and it truly is," she said. "That's what's so cool about it."

Steele likes quilts, but she has an unfulfilled wish: "I wish there were more quilts with fish on them," she said. "We want quilts with fish on them, and they're hard to find. Quilts with flies would be even more exciting."

She said that quilters and other fiber artists are drawn to fly-tying by the tactile nature of the work.

"They like touching materials - and that's what got me hooked."

As music filtered across the courtyard from a folk trio playing the blues, Steele observed that the Around the Block Fiber Arts Stroll reveals the multitude of talents readily tapped in Sisters Country.

"Sisters has the wow-factor, she said. "That's what I tell people. And that's why I stayed when I came here."

The Around the Block Fiber Arts Stroll is the sister of the Around the Block Quilt Walk, which carries on through July.

The quilt walk features quilts made by talented Central Oregon quilters. They are on display, many for sale, in businesses that sponsor the show as a thank-you to them for their support.

Strollers are invited to take a walking tour of downtown Sisters and enjoy over 100 quilts in local shops. Quilts are also on display in the Old Mill District in Bend, in more than 20 locations.

Quilt Walk brochures with a map and list of participating businesses are available at the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce at 241 E. Main Ave., Stitchin' Post, and show-sponsoring businesses in Sisters and Bend, or visit www.sistersoutdoorquiltshow.org and go to the events and activities page.

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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