Fabric of Life

05/20/2026

June 7, 2026, 10am - 12pm: Planting the Dye Garden Workshop with Michelle Parrish.
At Fabric of Life in Shelburne, MA.
-
During this two hour workshop, natural dyer, weaver, and spinner, Michelle Parrish Local Color Dyes will teach you how to plan your own dye garden. Learn how to select, plant, and grow natural dye plants. Includes hands-on practice as we plant the Fabric of Life dye garden. Workshop is open to gardeners, dyers, and enthusiasts of all experience levels.
Learn more and register:
https://www.fabric-of-life.org/product/june-7-2026-planting-the-dye-garden/
-

05/10/2026

30 Minutes Left to Bid in Our Spring Fundraising Auction!
-
Don’t miss your chance to support the preservation of traditional skills, weaving, handcrafts, and music by bidding on an assortment of unique items for yourself or someone special in your life!
-
Bid at:
https://fol.betterworld.org/auctions/fabric-life-spring-fundraising-a

05/05/2026

Fundraising Auction Item Spotlight: Vävstuga Press Books - Set #2
-
A collection of Vävstuga Press weaving books: Damask and Opphämta with Weaving Sword or Drawloom, Warp and Weft: Lessons in Drafting for Handweaving, Weaver's Delight. The Vävstuga Press publishes Becky Ashenden's English translations of important Swedish weaving books.
-
The Press emerged from Becky's weaving business in 2002. After attending her weaving classes, students wished to continue studying but were experiencing trouble finding important resources. She founded the Press as a way to provide access to rare and out-of-print Swedish weaving books, and to create English translations of books currently only available in Swedish. Due to the existence of so many wonderful Swedish books, she sees this as a lifetime venture!
-
Help our Shelburne-based educational non-profit continue to host events focused on traditional skills, textiles, handcrafts and music as you bid on a fabulous selection of one-of-a-kind items just in time for Mother’s Day! Bidding closes on May 10th at 6pm EST.
-
Make your bid at:
https://fol.betterworld.org/auctions/fabric-life-spring-fundraising-a/items/vavstuga-press-books-set-2
-
Vavstuga Swedish Weaving

The Press emerged from Becky's weaving business in 2002. After attending her weaving classes, students wished to continue studying but were experiencing trouble finding important resources. She founded the Press as a way to provide access to rare and out-of-print Swedish weaving books, and to create...

05/05/2026

Fundraising Auction Item Spotlight: Handwoven Towel Set
-
This treasured set of towels was woven by Fabric of Life's second Väv Immersion cohort in 2018. Four of our beloved students wove large quantities of these as a work exchange while they were here. Each square towel has a convenient loop for hanging on a hook, as seen in any Swedish kitchen.
-
Help our Shelburne-based educational non-profit continue to host events focused on traditional skills, textiles, handcrafts and music as you bid on a fabulous selection of one-of-a-kind items just in time for Mother’s Day! Bidding closes on May 10th at 6pm EST.
-
Make your bid at:
https://fol.betterworld.org/auctions/fabric-life-spring-fundraising-a/items/handwoven-towel-set
-
Vavstuga Swedish Weaving

This treasured set of towels was woven by Fabric of Life's second Väv Immersion cohort in 2018. Four of our beloved students wove large quantities of these as a work exchange while they were here. Each square towel has a convenient loop for hanging on a hook, as seen in any Swedish kitchen.

05/04/2026

Fundraising Auction Item Spotlight: Vävstuga 10-Shaft Wool Blanket Kit
-
This 10-shaft blanket kit, designed by Becky Ashenden, features locally sourced wool spun at Green Mountain Spinnery. Perfect for intermediate to advanced weavers, it offers an engaging exploration of varied weave structures paired with the rich beauty of naturally colored yarn. The finished blanket showcases a striking geometric design of radiating lines and clustered dots, creating a rhythmic, starburst-like pattern. Subtle shifts in structure add depth and texture, while the soft, earthy tones highlight the warmth and character of the wool. The result is a piece that is both visually dynamic and deeply comforting; an elegant expression of craftsmanship.
-
Help our Shelburne-based educational non-profit continue to host events focused on traditional skills, textiles, handcrafts and music as you bid on a fabulous selection of one-of-a-kind items just in time for Mother’s Day! Bidding closes on May 10th at 6pm EST.
-
Make your bid at:
https://fol.betterworld.org/auctions/fabric-life-spring-fundraising-a/items/vavstuga-blanket-kit-10-shaft
-
Vavstuga Swedish Weaving

This 10-shaft blanket kit, designed by Becky Ashenden, features locally sourced wool spun at Green Mountain Spinnery. Perfect for intermediate to advanced weavers, it offers an engaging exploration of varied weave structures paired with the rich beauty of naturally colored yarn. The finished blanket...

05/04/2026

Fundraising Auction Item Spotlight: Ski Shuttle Abundance
-
These unusually large ski shuttles are excellent for weaving wide rugs, and the fact that there are several of them encourages any weaver to use lots of different colors. You can use these shuttles to weave with string yarn, rags, heavy wool yarn, or any other thick weft material. The long, flat ski on the bottom makes it easy for the shuttle to zip across a wide rug warp.
-
These ski shuttles were owned by a professional rug weaver and were donated by Väv Immersion alum Susan Wyssen. There are three lots of 9 shuttles available. Each lot includes a mix of shuttle lengths, with most being 25" and 33" long. The top bidder will have the option to purchase all three. Remaining lots will be offered to the next highest bidder at their last bid until all are spoken for.
-
Help our Shelburne-based educational non-profit continue to host events focused on traditional skills, textiles, handcrafts and music as you bid on a fabulous selection of one-of-a-kind items just in time for Mother’s Day! Bidding closes on May 10th at 6pm EST.
-
Make your bid at:
https://fol.betterworld.org/auctions/fabric-life-spring-fundraising-a/items/ski-shuttle-abundance
-

These unusually large ski shuttles are excellent for weaving wide rugs, and the fact that there are several of them encourages any weaver to use lots of different colors. You can use these shuttles to weave with string yarn, rags, heavy wool yarn, or any other thick weft material. The long, flat ski...

05/04/2026

Fundraising Auction Item Spotlight: Beginner Ukulele Kit & Lesson with Joe Blumenthal
-
This is a Kala soprano ukulele, made of mahogany, with a decorative bag and tuner. It's an excellent outfit for a beginning ukulele player. The retail value of the package is $119. In addition, the winner will get a 1 hour intro to uke lesson from Joe Blumenthal, accomplished musician and founder of Northampton's ukulele club and founder/former owner of Downtown Sounds in Northampton, MA. Lesson may take place either in person or over zoom (a $60 value). Joe describes the ukulele as "the cheap gateway drug into music"; even if you've never played an instrument before, you can be singing and strumming a familiar tune very quickly. It's a lot of fun!
-
Help our Shelburne-based educational non-profit continue to host events focused on traditional skills, textiles, handcrafts and music as you bid on a fabulous selection of one-of-a-kind items just in time for Mother’s Day! Bidding closes on May 10th at 6pm EST.
-
Make your bid at:
https://fol.betterworld.org/auctions/fabric-life-spring-fundraising-a/items/beginner-ukulele-lesson-joe-blum
-

This is a Kala soprano ukulele, made of mahogany, with a decorative bag and tuner. It's an excellent outfit for a beginning ukulele player. The retail value of the package is $119. In addition, the winner will get a 1 hour intro to uke lesson from Joe Blumenthal, accomplished musician and founder of...

05/04/2026

Fundraising Auction Item Spotlight: Öxabäck Three Meter Warping Mill
-
This 3-meter warping mill has served faithfully at Vävstuga for many years and is ready for its next studio. Ideal for weavers creating longer warps, it offers generous capacity and dependable performance. Well used but solidly built, it continues to deliver the high-quality functionality it was made for.
-
Help our Shelburne-based educational non-profit continue to host events focused on traditional skills, textiles, handcrafts and music as you bid on a fabulous selection of one-of-a-kind items just in time for Mother’s Day! Bidding closes on May 10th at 6pm EST.
-
Make your bid at:
https://fol.betterworld.org/auctions/fabric-life-spring-fundraising-a/items/oxaback-three-meter-warping-mill
-

This 3-meter warping mill has served faithfully at Vävstuga for many years and is ready for its next studio. Ideal for weavers creating longer warps, it offers generous capacity and dependable performance. Well used but solidly built, it continues to deliver the high-quality functionality it was ma...

05/04/2026

Fundraising Auction Item Spotlight: Yugoslavia: Republics and Provinces
-
Yugoslavia: Republics and Provinces offers a detailed study of the peoples and regions within Yugoslavia, emphasizing regional identities and geographic aspects, providing a snapshot of the country's structure before its dissolution. This book is a comprehensive guide to the geography, history, and culture of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, with detailed overviews of the six republics and two provinces, featuring rich illustrations and expert insights on the region's diverse landscapes. The book serves as a valuable, contemporaneous portrait of Yugoslav society from a geographic and regional standpoint.
-
Help our Shelburne-based educational non-profit continue to host events focused on traditional skills, textiles, handcrafts and music as you bid on a fabulous selection of one-of-a-kind items just in time for Mother’s Day! Bidding closes on May 10th at 6pm EST.
-
Make your bid at:
https://fol.betterworld.org/auctions/fabric-life-spring-fundraising-a/items/yugoslavia-book
-

Yugoslavia: Republics and Provinces offers a detailed study of the peoples and regions within Yugoslavia, emphasizing regional identities and geographic aspects, providing a snapshot of the country's structure before its dissolution. This book is a comprehensive guide to the geography, history, and....