Fiber Arts at Drew has ventured into a diverse array of crafting throughout their events this semester, with crocheting, embroidery, sewing and knitting all being part of the group’s activities. It is a hope of Fiber Arts to see the aforementioned skills translated into a heightened enthusiasm for artistic expression and engagement in the slow-fashion movement as opposed to the more environmentally taxing fast-fashion culture. The community as a whole emphasizes the value in learning more about fiber arts, but it also wishes to see more engagement from Drew’s student population through their events.
Consistent with Fiber Arts’ efforts to promote sustainability and give back to the community, President Jaden Mena (‘25) mentioned the washcloths made in collaboration with “Each Stitch Counts,” a charity dedicated to alleviating hygiene insecurity. Club members have expressed interest in having a speaker from the organization come in during the spring semester of 2024. While “Each Stitch Counts” has built a reputation on donating containers of dish detergent, their website also mentions that they include handmade dishcloths donated by crafter volunteers. As for the sustainability goals that make up the club, the materials offered are typically second-hand with the exception of the crochet hooks.
Fiber Arts at Drew’s Oct. 18 event “Crochet and Chill!” combined a calm social atmosphere with technical crocheting instruction for beginners and established crocheters alike in the midst of stressful midterms. Alongside frosted cookies, the committee supplied the event’s attendees with crochet materials and offered the opportunity to ask questions in case anyone needed help. Mena expressed that it was the organization’s goal to crochet blankets for the non-profit “Warm Up America!” and donate to a local ward sometime next year.
On Nov. 1, the club collaborated with Drew U Bookworms to DIY their own bookmarks. At the event, book club member Maura Kelly (‘24) said, “I think it’s really fun. I didn’t know that we had a Fiber Arts Club until now, so it provides exposure for both clubs and we meet people.” When asked about her favorite part, she said, “I’ve really been collaging with the bookmarks so I’ve been vibing with that.”
On Nov. 15, Fiber Arts at Drew welcomed guests to their “Eco-dyeing with Black Walnuts” event, where people were welcome to dye bandanas and scrunchies with the help of black walnuts. This event called to attention the issues associated with fast fashion such as harmful dyes, dangerous chemicals and heavy metals as well as unsustainable water use. The walnuts provided at the event were located around Drew, specifically in the Hall of Sciences parking lot, showing an appreciation for native materials. After soaking for an hour, the materials came out a khaki color, but they would have appeared darker had they been left in longer, something that Fiber Arts at Drew’s advisor and Drew assistant professor of biology Jessica McQuigg informed attendees. After the event, guests were allowed to take their crafts home.
Nov. 29 saw Fiber Arts at Drew putting on their “Knitting 101” event. McQuigg informed guests that they each had a project that was already set up for them, and there was a live demonstration set up so that knitters could knit square hats for premature babies around the world.
Fiber Arts at Drew’s last event of the semester on Dec. 6 was a collaboration between Fiber Arts and Drew Environmental Action League to do some sustainable gift wrapping. Materials were gathered through Facebook swap in order to cut down on waste, and outdated Drew Acorn newspapers were used to wrap gifts as well. Attendees were able to bring their own items to wrap or could take jars that the committee provided to fill. Interested readers can follow Fiber Arts at Drew on Instagram at @drewfaad.
Rosie Sapperstein is a senior majoring in English literature and minoring in writing and communications.
