Artists Compete at the Natural Fiber Extravaganza

The Natural Fiber Extravaganza powered by Alpaca Owners Association has been cancelled this year due to concerns over COVID-19. However, the National Fleece Show will continue as planned July 9 - 11, 2020 at the Wilson County Exposition Center in Lebanon, TN. This event is not open to the public.

Two competitions taking place at the show are the AOA Fiber Arts Competition and AOA Photo Competition. Entries for both will be on display during the show for the public to view.

USA Fiber, Yarn, Sewing, Fight Against COVID-19

Yes, manufacturing in the United States contributes greatly to the fight against COVID-19.  Learn about fabric suppliers & sewing facilities in the USA that are stepping up.  And guess what these suppliers have in common.  They are obtaining yarn or fiber from Unifi.

Unifi, Inc. one of the world's leading innovators in recycled and synthetic yarns, recognizes the hard work that its customers are doing in supplying critical products during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unifi supplies yarns and fibers to more than 100 companies that are producing the masks, gowns and other personal protective equipment needed by our first responders, medical personnel and military. 

“We have customers actively engaged in the fight against COVID-19,” said Tom Caudle, President & Chief Operating Officer of Unifi. "We’re proud that our company is playing a part in that fight by providing the fiber they need.” 

Cottonized Hemp Denim

Levi's latest collaboration features fully recyclable styles, a tee made from recycled jeans and the first ever “cottonized” hemp denim.

Cottonized hemp looks, and more importantly feels, almost indistinguishable from cotton. The innovative development of this rain‑fed hemp allows it to be woven like cotton into your jeans – same great feel, a lot less water.

Giza 45 Luxury Egyptian Cotton

Ayman and Tamer Nassar are spearheading the luxury Egyptian cotton industry as textile leaders on a micro and macro level.  Up until the mid-90s’, the private sector was prohibited from trading and exporting Egyptian cotton. Immediately following the liberalization of Egyptian cotton in 1994, the Nassar brothers co-founded Nassco Trading SAE and began purchasing Giza 45 and exporting it as raw cotton in 1995, quickly becoming one of Egypt’s leading cotton exporters.  By 1996, Ayman Nassar was known as a cotton-classing expert certified by the Cotton Arbitration and Testing General Organization (CATGO).  

Raw Alpaca Fiber Possesses Antibacterial Properties

Alpaca Owners Association (AOA) announced recent laboratory testing results revealed that raw alpaca fiber possesses antibacterial properties. 

“While the effect is modest, it is likely comparable to the natural antibacterial properties of scoured sheep’s wool,” said Bud Synhorst, Executive Director of AOA.  “This will increase the interest of alpaca fiber within the active apparel industry.”

Naia Cellulosic Fiber for Womenswear Market

Eastman's cellulosic fiber, Naia, has officially been launched into the womenswear market.

Naia made its debut at Premiere Vision in Paris September 19 - 21, 2018.  Naia is a sustainably manufactured cellulosic yarn that is derived from renewable wood pulp, which is sourced exclusively from sustainably managed forests.  In addition to pursuing a new market for Naia, this year Eastman was awarded FSC and PEFC Chain of Custody certification for adhering to the standards of responsible forestry. 

Alpaca Natural Fiber Extravaganza

Since the United States first commercially imported alpacas in 1984, alpaca breeders have worked hard to produce offspring with the finest, softest, most lustrous fleece. Until recently the primary focus of the industry was on breeding to build a national herd of superior fleece producing livestock able to compete in the global market. The time has come to focus on the fleece!

The 2nd Annual Fiber Arts Crawl

The Española Valley Fiber Arts Center (EVFAC) has partnered with local artists, businesses, and cultural centers to open doors for the public to learn and experience the fiber arts for free while traveling across northern New Mexico, May 18th-20th 2018, in the 2nd  Annual New Mexico Fiber Crawl.

Fall Fiber Fiesta 2017

Fall Fiber Fiesta 2017 is the fifth annual show organized by the Española Valley Fiber Arts Center that provides exposure to a broad range of traditional and contemporary handmade fiber artwork. This year the show will again take place at the Scottish Rite Temple in Santa Fe on Saturday and Sunday November 18–19, 2017. This is the largest show in Santa Fe exclusively dedicated to handmade creations of New Mexico’s Fiber Artists.