About Sunset Fiberworks

My name is Mary Freas, the owner/instructor. Sunset Fiberworks is the name of my weaving and spinning studio and the "label" under which I market my creations.

I have been weaving for 30 years or so and spinning for about 17 years. So far, I have sold my creations through craft fairs. I am a founding member of ACoRN - Artisans and Crafters of Rural North Carolina. This is a local cooperative formed to promote and encourage traditional artisan skills that don't generally fall under the "fine arts" umbrella. You can follow them on Facebook.

I was taught by Joanne Nolan, a family friend. At the time, she was teaching weaving at Haywood Community College. Between quarters, I spent about a week with her. At the end of the time I had learned how to:

select thread for a given project
match the thread to the correct reed size
read a pattern draft
thread the loom (warping)
make nice selvedges.
I wove a houndstooth throw that I still use today.

I am more interested in teaching these classic fiber skills to others than in making big bucks! I do, however, need to cover my costs. Fees will be based on length of stay, what the student wants to learn, the type of loom selected, materials cost, rooming on-site and meals, if any. Generally the fees will not exceed $125/day, all inclusive. Off-site housing and meals will be the student's responsibility. At present, instructional time for a treadle loom will be $50/day. Less complicated looms will be less. Spinning instruction will be $20/hour. Depending on comfort level and dexterity, 3 -5 hours instruction will be needed. The rest of the time will be spent actually spinning.

Day students are welcome, as are well-behaved, focused children. Two of our grandchildren did their first gift/sale-quality weaving at age 5!

I have found that older adults can sit comfortably at a loom for about 2 hours. Younger weavers can last longer. Children are usually ready for a break after 45 minutes or an hour. Students will want to bring other projects, a book, music or plan short sight-seeing trips to provide breaks. Naps are good, too!

Weavers will leave with a completed project of their choice.

Spinners will leave with their first skein of yarn.

You can follow me on Facebook. The best way to contact me is by e-mail: sfiberworks@wilkes.net. We can then talk about what you want to do, set the date(s), and establish the fees.