~ click below to learn more ~ About: Fiber Fest | About: Back to Back | RSVP | Why Attend? | Itinerary | Where? | Donate | Get Involved | About: Hosts RSVP for Fiber Fest today!! About: Fiber Fest Join us at San Diego Craft Collective for Fiber Fest—a vibrant celebration of natural textiles and sustainability, bringing together fiber artists, artisans, sustainability advocates, and local farmers. This event is designed to build community within the Southern California Fibershed, showcasing the journey of natural textiles from sheep to finished fabric. Fiber Fest will feature: Live sheep shearing demonstrations Artist & Artisan demonstrations Vending of fiber arts & more Interactive craft for all ages Food & fun! About: Back to Back And, this year’s special guests: The San Diego County Spinners are competing in the International Back to Back Wool Challenge, a worldwide competition to see which team can build a sweater from sheep to wearable the quickest! They’re also raising money for a great cause–California Colorectal Cancer Coalition. Why Attend? – Learn about the journey of natural textiles from sheep shearing to finished fabric. – Connect with fiber enthusiasts, sustainability advocates, and the local textile community. – Experience sustainable fiber arts and natural textile production first-hand. – Support local artisans and eco-friendly practices in textile creation. – Enjoy a family-friendly event filled with education, creativity, and community spirit. Itinerary Friday, May 15 from 5:40-7:30pm | KICK-OFF TO FIBER FEST! Join in the fun and help kick-off Fiber Fest 2026! We’ll be celebrating the local fiber scene with: * A fun Sit & Stitch (or another fiber art of your choice), & * An epic Fiber & Fabric Swap! Bring something made with natural fibers to share and exchange with others! This event will take place outdoors, so please bring a layer in case you get chilly. We can’t wait to see you at the studio! Saturday, MayY 16 from 9am – 4pm | MAIN EVENT: FIBER FEST & BACK TO BACK CHALLENGE* *Back to Back Challenge will end when the team finishes, likely in the evening between 5-7pm. Sunday, May 17 | Class times will vary | FIBER FEST WORKSHOPS!* *Registration open soon Each class will require an enrollment fee. RSVP to receive a notification when classes go live. Get Involved Stay in Touch: Join our Interest List for Fiber Fest news and details as they’re announced! Become a Sponsor: We welcome Sponsors for this event! Contact us at president@sandiegocraft.org today! Donate: We are a 501(c)3 arts education nonprofit who relies on community support in all forms. With grant funding becoming scarce, we are asking our community to help us cover costs for this free-to-the-public event. Donations will go to providing stipends to support the work of the multitude of teaching artists, educators and speakers who make this event so valuable. Donate today! Volunteer: Want to Volunteer to help with Fiber Fest? Drop us an email at volunteer@sandiegocraft.org & we’ll be in touch! Vendor: Want to sell handmade fiber arts-related goods at Fiber Fest! Fill out our Vendor Interest Form! We’ll be in touch! Donate Fiber Fest is made possible through local grants, local and corporate sponsorships and fundraising from generous people like you. If you’d like to donate to help us as we build our this year’s event, donate here! We thank you! Where? About: Hosts Co-Host: About San Diego Craft Collective: San Diego Craft Collective is your creative space in San Diego, home to both professional-level craftspeople and offers skilled craft education to kids and adults. We believe that humans are happier when they create with their own hands. San Diego Craft Collective offers a wide variety of classes and camps, taught by highly skilled, professional artists. Whether for yourself, your child, or someone you know; come forge new skills, learn to work with your hands, and build confidence through our creative programming and mentorship. Skills + Craft = Confidence. Co-Host: About Apricot Yarn & Supply: Apricot Yarn & Supply is a LYS (local yarn store) located in Arts District Liberty Station. Founder Sara Heckman learned to knit at a young age and returned to the craft years later, discovering it as a deeply satisfying creative practice. With a background in fine art and painting, knitting became a consistent way to stay connected to the joy of working with her hands. After relocating, Sara found inspiration in a vibrant knitting community and a beloved local yarn shop. That experience sparked the vision for Apricot Yarn & Supply: a warm, welcoming space centered on yarn, fiber arts, and the shared passion for making. Collaborators: About San Diego County Spinners: San Diego County Spinners is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the education and preservation of spinning. Each year, a team from their group participates in the International Back to Back Wool Challenge, a worldwide competition to see who can build a sweater–from sheep to wearable–the quickest! In 2025, the group won first place in the United States, completing the challenge in 7 hours 12 minutes and 5 seconds — a new US record! This year, the Spinners are spinning as fast as they can and raising money for cancer research. Be part of an inspiring journey through sustainable textile craftsmanship. RSVP for Fiber Fest today!