Welcome to the web site for the Mid-Atlantic Fiber Association (MAFA). MAFA is a non-profit organization whose objectives are to promote education in the fiber arts, to plan, organize, and conduct conferences, and to facilitate communication among member guilds.
MAFA represents nearly 60 guilds from 8 states and the District of Columbia in the Mid-Atlantic region. Our member guilds are located in NY, PA, MD, VA, NJ, DE, DC, NC, and WV. Individuals become automatic members through membership in a participating guild.
Associate membership is open to commercial enterprises, institutions, organizations, schools and individuals not in affiliated guilds.
Any organized guild of handweavers or related fiber activities located
in the Mid-Atlantic region may be considered for membership in
MAFA. Membership consists of timely payment of annual dues and
entitles members to participation in the biennial conference,
the MAFA newsletter, and the opportunity to apply for grants,
which support mini-conference venues.
Each guild is allowed one representative and one alternate representative to send to the two annual general meetings held in October and May.
Guilds, individuals, or organizations wishing to join MAFA should go to the Joining MAFA page for further information.
News of the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival
The WGGB member of the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival has asked that MAFA post some new additions to the Skein and Garment Competition. The Sheep and Wool group is particularly interested in receiving more contributions to the MAMIE FRANCES BLANKET Category. They have added a new item and new criteria for items eligible for some fine prize money.
Below are the new classes (note the baby blanket which is less than 36" wide and the 50/50 blend which are new this year). You can refer them to the web page for the rules of this competition at http://www.sheepandwool.org/
B-1 Lap Robe in any weave, 36-50" wide and any length
B-2 Blanket in any weave, larger than 50" wide and any length
B-3 Lap Robe or Blanket in any weave woven by a Junior (18 or under), minimum 36" wide and any length
B-4 Baby Blanket in any weave, less than 36" wide
B-5 Lap Robe or Blanket in any weave or size above made from a 50/50 wool blend
Prizes are...
$500 for Grand Prize Winner
$100 The Mannings Handweaving School & Supply Center
$100 Louet North America
$100 of merchandize from the Interweave Store
$100 Gift Certificate from Harrisville Designs
MAFA Workshop Weekend 2011 Fiber Instructors needed
MAFA Workshop Weekend 2011 is in the planning stages. Once again, we will come together at Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, for a great weekend of learning and camaraderie July 7–10, 2011.
We are hoping that you are available for this weekend and invite you to submit proposals for our consideration. Proposal due date is February 1, 2010.
The format for the weekend will be a single, 16-hour (3-day) “hands-on” class beginning on Friday morning and ending at lunch on Sunday. Multiple proposals are encouraged and each proposal must contain the following information:
Title of Class
Description of Class
Required Level of Experience*
Maximum Class Size
Equipment Needed by Students
Equipment and Facility Needs for Teacher
Student Materials Fee
We appreciate your interest in MAFA and will give careful consideration to all proposals.
Ellen Dorosh
MAFA 2011 Education
Send Proposals to:
Ellen Dorosh
MAFA 2011
24730 Maple Avenue
Cascade, MD 21719
phone 301/241-3405
elnweevs@verizon.net
*Required Level of Experience:
Novice — Interested, but lacking in basic skills; Beginner — Some experience with equipment and able to perform basic techniques; Intermediate — Comfortable with equipment, experienced in a variety of techniques, able to plan, draft, and design work; Advanced — Very comfortable with equipment, skilled at a wide variety of techniques, willing to experiment
MAFA Workshop Weekend 2011 Volunteers Needed
Go to the Help Wanted page for job descriptions! Help make the Conference 2011 a big success!
Go to the Conference 2009 page for photos and reports of this wonderful weekend!
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE -- September 2009
Dear Guilds:
The sleepy College of Gettysburg had a culture shock the end of July and the first two days of August. Weavers, Spinners and Dyers invaded murmuring words such as warp, weft, sett, gauge and mordant. The surrounding area wondered what language we were speaking! We didn’t care as we knew what they meant and we were having a great time.
MAFA’s success was due to its stellar instructors. I have gone over the evaluation sheets. The instructors got "A’s". The most often read remark was there was not enough time. Although, everyone seemed to take home something finished or almost finished.
What ever would we do without Alisa Brown, our Master of Ceremonies? She again hosted out popular Fashion Show. Lots of people participated. Some came as a group showing what they had done in class or a guild project.
Open Studio was a very enlightening experience. Partial projects were lying about. With this in mind, MAFA is considering moving the Fashion Show to Friday evening and the Open Studio to Saturday. Projects will be closer to being finished and would show to better advantage. If you have any feelings about this, please let your MAFA Rep know.
One thing about the MAFA bags. If you have not looked inside, you will find a small pouch. The bag gets "stuffed" inside the pouch and then can go in your purse to be used as a carry bag. We are trying to “go green” with them.
Another thing to ponder is on-campus housing. We have the possibility of getting a dorm that has air conditioning AND an elevator. The downside is that it would add about a quarter of a mile walk to the other buildings. We need your input on this. We will discuss this at the Rhinebeck Reps meeting on October 17th.
I hope we have a good turn out in Rhinebeck as we will be discussing these and whatever other issues that come up.
Happy Projects,
Mickie Schneider
President
MAFA
2007 Conference Photos!
Here is a photo gallery of the classes offered at the conference -- courtesy of Elisa Eiger
And here are photos from the conference fashion show -- courtesy of Elisa Eiger
By popular demand, a gallery of the many items donated by guilds for the Goodie Bags given at the 2007 MAFA Conference!--courtesy of Lori Wall
