If you know Minnesota, you know how much we love our annual State Fair. Twelve glorious days of agricultural expositions and competitions, live music, fried food, carnival rides, games for the kids, amateur talent contests, more fried food, shopping, politicking, marching bands, sunburn, heatstroke, beauty queens sculpted in butter, and even more fried food, most of it on a stick.

For the past 50 years, volunteers from the Weavers Guild of Minnesota have demonstrated the arts of weaving and spinning in the Creative Arts building, sharing their passion and expertise with fairgoers of all ages throughout the entire run of each year’s Fair. In recognition of this achievement, the Weavers Guild of Minnesota received one of the 2024 Minnesota State Fair 50 Year Awards, presented annually to individuals who have actively participated in the Minnesota State Fair for 50 years.

Besides volunteering, many weavers and spinners compete in the creative activities competitions. This year, Scan Weavers member Nancy Ebner took the plunge, entering for the very first time. To her surprise, she won not one but three ribbons, including a blue ribbon for her square weave tapestry “Divine Order,” seen at the Scan Weavers exhibits at Becketwood and Red Wing Arts. (See previous pots on this blog for a photo.) She was also awarded a red ribbon for her telemarksteppe, seen below.

Finally, her charming pink scarf below—yes, pink is her favorite color—won a white ribbon for “Work by a Senior Citizen,” in the category of woven scarf, stole, or shawl.

Barb Yarusso is active in both the Scandinavian Weavers and the Rag Rug Weavers groups. She won a blue ribbon in the category of “International or Historically Inspired Rug” for her rug in a traditional Finnish-American pattern known as “Over the Waves.”

“I wove it using the Finnish 3-shuttle technique, which I learned in a class taught by Wynne Mattila,” Barb explains. “The weft strips are a mix of old sheets and new quilting cotton, and it was primarily a stash-busting project. I used primarily blues and greens to suggest water waves. There are sections using various combinations of weft fabrics, but it’s always a dark, a bright, and a light. When you combine the four treadle repeat sequence with the 3-shuttle technique, it gives waves with a 12 pick repeat length. I wove the hems using Lily Sugar ‘n Cream cotton yarn, doubled, in coordinating colors. The weight of the yarn gives a slightly thicker hem with less draw in than using the warp yarn as hem weft. Combining colors in the hem also makes it look intentional.”

In other award news, Scan Weavers member Mandy Pedigo was honored with a coveted slot in the Fair’s Studio HERE program, which showcases twelve artists over the twelve days of the MN State Fair. The chosen artists set up their creative space in the Fine Arts Building, providing fairgoers an opportunity to engage with the creative process. Visit Mandy’s blog to learn more about her experiences and be sure to give her a follow.

The Scan Weavers’ coordinator, Robbie LaFleur, was honored to have her latest open-warp tapestry “Nest (Golden-Winged Warblers Are Happy in Their Minnesota Habitat)” displayed in the annual Textile Center display in the Creative Arts Building.

Finally, be sure to check out this live segment from KSTP’s “Creative Corner” featuring Minnesota Weavers Guild volunteers, including Judy Larson, a Scan Weavers member and Rag Rug group coordinator.

Next up: Scan Weavers enjoy “Cocktails at the Castle”! Stay tuned!