At the Library

Fiber Arts February is coming once again to your Washington Public Library. This annual celebration is possible with the help of those in the community who have a love and appreciation for fiber and textiles and are willing to share their talents and pieces. We are offering a variety of workshops, presentations, and exhibits that are all free and open to the public.

On Saturday, February 1 at 10:30 a.m. we kick off the month with a workshop called Stitchcards. Carol Ray and I will be teaching participants how to embellish postcards and photos with embroidery. You will have the opportunity to create a mini masterpiece worthy of framing or sending as a greeting card. All supplies will be provided, but you may bring your own personal items to embroider. This workshop is geared toward adults, but ages 12 and up can attend by registering.

On Friday, February 7 at noon Sticks & Strings will hold their monthly meeting. Bring your knitting, crochet, quilting, etc. and enjoy a relaxing hour with this fun-loving group. We also will hold a Fabric Swap & Share during this time. Bring fabric pieces you would like to share and take fabric home! Free & open to the public.

The Rag Swag Workshop with Jenisa Harris is taking place on Saturday, February 8 at 10:30 a.m. Come create a decorative swag or banner from ripped fabric pieces. Some supplies will be available but you are encouraged to bring fabric. This workshop is for adults and kids, but 10 years and under should attend with an adult and registration is required.

We will be showing the documentary RiverBlue on February 13 at 12:30 p.m. RiverBlue chronicles a three-year, around-the-world river journey by paddler and conservationist Mark Angelo. In this film he documents the pollution of rivers by the fashion industry, but also offers hope for solutions that might make for a sustainable future. Free and open to all.

Our special guest this month is Tami Finley who will give a presentation entitled The Art of the Apron on Saturday, February 22 at 10:30 a.m. Tami has been a librarian for over 40 years serving mostly as a children's librarian and more recently as a library director. On the lookout for interesting and affordable programs, she sought out a program on the history of aprons. When she wasn't able to locate a speaker, she was determined to create a program herself. Her interest in antiques and sewing made for a perfect combination. Tami has gathered over 100 vintage aprons and will share the perfect blend of historical facts and fun trivia about aprons and related items. We also will be displaying her aprons in the front vestibule during the month of February.

The WPL is bringing back Recycled Runway for teens this year. 6th-12th graders, gals and guys, are invited to come and create a piece of wearable clothing from recycled items such as books and plastics. This event is taking place on Monday, February 24 at 4 p.m.

Our final workshop will be Scrappy Songbirds on Saturday, February 29 at 10:30 a.m. I will teach you how to make a quick, easy, too-cute bird out of scraps of yarn. All ages are invited to register, but anyone under 12 must attend with an adult.

Besides the Art of the Apron Exhibit, we are filling the Helen Wilson Gallery on the second level of the library with a fantastic array of cross stitch and embroidery, including several historical quilts. The Common Threads, Refined Art Exhibit will include pieces from our WPL patrons and run throughout the entire month of February. Finally, members of Sticks & Strings have been creating Creeper, Climbers, Crawlers, a whimsical exhibit of creatures and plants. If you remember the faux aquarium we created last year, you will have an idea of what this year's exhibit will be like, definitely fun for the kids!

At the conclusion of the month we will hold drawings to give away these creepie crawlers to our patrons. Stop by the Washington Public Library or call 653-2726 if you have any questions about the upcoming events and celebrate Fiber Arts February with us!

New Materials at the Library

Adult Fiction

All This Could Be Yours by Jami Attenberg

Vacuum in the Dark by Jen Beagin

Their Little Secret by Mark Millingham

Fake Like Me by Barbara Bourland

Gather the Fortunes by Bryan Camp

Trust Exercise by Susan Choi

A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine

The Shadow King by Maaza Mengiste

The Heavens by Sandra Newman

The Chestnut Man by Soren Sveistrup

Women Talking by Miriam Toews

Unquiet by Linn Ullman

Large Print Fiction

The Country Guesthouse by Robyn Carr

The Rise of Magicks by Nora Roberts

Adult non-fiction

The Second Mountain by David Brooks

A Good Provider is One Who Leaves by Jason DeParle

Biased by Jennifer L. Eberhardt

A Year of Embroidery by Yumiko Higuchi

Pocket Pompoms by Sachiyo Ishii

Painting With Wool by Dani Ives

Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe

See You in the Piazza by Frances Mayes

Animal Friends of Pica Pau by Yan Schenkel

75 Birds, Butterflies & Little Beasts To Knit and Crochet by Lesley Stanfield

Young Adult Fiction

Patron Saint of Nothing by Randy Ribay

The Conference of the Birds by Ransom Riggs