This article was written by Brooke Badgley, a 2026 graduate of Mansfield Senior High School.
LUCAS — Inside the Berry House at Malabar Farm State Park, the steady rhythm of spinning wheels and the quiet conversations of crafters tell a story that has been unfolding for more than 30 years.
The Fiberarts Guild at Malabar Farm is more than a gathering place for knitters, weavers and quilters. It is a community dedicated to preserving traditional fiber arts while passing those skills on to future generations.
The guild began in December 1990 after a loom was discovered in the basement of Malabar Farm’s historic Big House. The discovery sparked interest among local fiber enthusiasts, who held their first meeting in March 1991 and formed the Malabar Farm Spinning & Weaving Guild.
As membership and interests expanded, the organization adopted the name Fiberarts Guild at Malabar Farm in 2022 to better reflect the variety of crafts practiced by its members.
Today, the guild welcomes people of all skill levels. Members gather to knit, crochet, quilt, spin, weave, sew, felt and rug hook. They share techniques, ideas and encouragement along the way.
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For many, the guild offers not only a place to create, but also a place to connect.
“Our mission is to teach and preserve fiber arts skills,” the guild states, a goal that is evident in its workshops, demonstrations and weekly gatherings.
Open work sessions are held Mondays and Thursdays from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Berry House, where members bring projects to work on or use guild equipment to learn weaving and spinning.
Specialized groups meet throughout the month, including knitting, quilting and spinning groups. These monthly meetings provide opportunities for members to share projects and learn from one another.
The guild’s impact extends beyond its regular meetings. Members participate in Heritage Days at Malabar Farm, host workshops, organize holiday boutiques featuring handmade items and take part in community events that introduce visitors to the rich history of fiber arts.
Through these activities, the guild helps keep centuries-old traditions alive in an increasingly fast-paced world.
The organization also embraces sustainability. Waste wool from sheep at Malabar Farm is processed into biodegradable wool pellets that can be used as a natural fertilizer for gardens, fruit trees and potted plants. The project gives new purpose to materials that might otherwise be discarded while supporting environmentally-friendly gardening practices.
What makes the Fiberarts Guild unique, however, is the sense of community woven into every meeting and event. Whether members are learning a new technique, teaching a beginner or simply enjoying conversation around a shared craft, they are helping preserve skills that have connected people for generations.
As interest in handmade crafts continues to grow, the Fiberarts Guild at Malabar Farm remains committed to its mission of education, preservation and fellowship — proving that even in a digital age, there is still value in creating something by hand.
For those interested in learning a new skill or meeting fellow fiber artists, the guild’s doors remain open, offering a place where tradition and creativity continue to thrive.