Heather Marshall of Dopeface Knits in Parkersburg will be featured from 5-9 p.m. Friday at Wit and Whimsy at 154 Front St. in Marietta during the Marietta Main Street First Friday. (Photo Provided)
MARIETTA — Two boutiques in Marietta will host local artists from 5-9 p.m. Friday during the First Friday celebration sponsored by Marietta Main Street. Machine Carding
Clutch Collective and Wit & Whimzy at 154 and 152 Front St. will feature, respectively, fiber artists Heather Marshall of Dopeface Knits of Parkersburg and Sara Flood of Sara & Sybil of Belle Valley.
“We are thrilled to host Heather this First Friday,” Sarah Arnold, owner of Clutch Collective, said. “Heather creates super fun textiles with her vintage punch card knitting machines, which she will have with her on Friday. It will be a great opportunity to see her process first hand!”
Marshall is an independent textile designer and fiber artist who creates knitwear made of 100% wool in her home studio in Parkersburg. Her brand, Dopeface Knitwear, is a sustainable, earth-friendly brand that uses only cruelty- and Mulesing-free wools and selects natural sustainable or recycled fibers as often as possible.
She purchased her first sewing machine in her early 20s and began making clothing for herself. Her love for sewing grew to encompass all fiber art and she found a second-hand knitting machine online and taught herself how to use it.
Heather Marshall of Dopeface Knits in Parkersburg and her punch card knitting machine will participate in a First Friday event at Cutch Collective in Marietta from 5-9 p.m. at the store at 152 Front St. (Photo Provided)
“I enjoy working with vintage punchcard machines because of the connection they offer to an era of craftsmanship I deeply respect,” Marshall said. “The meticulous process and ability to be so free in my creativity are things I really enjoy. It’s all about appreciating the history behind each machine and embracing tradition while creating something new and innovative.”
Marshall will be set up outside the store with her knitting machine and will have pieces from her spring collection available for purchase.
“My spring and summer collection is all about embracing the warm weather of the season,” she said. “It features bikinis, bathing suit covers, halter tops, skinny scarves, and hair accessories. I chose soft colors, classic patterns, and, as always, am using natural fibers that will last for years to come.”
Outside of Wit & Whimzy, Flood will display her collection of hand-sewn crowns and hairbows and crocheted purses and plushies for children.
“My collection is focused on the littles,” Flood said.“I offer modern keepsakes and heirloom quality gifts for babies and toddlers. New to my collection this spring are crocheted plushies and loveys made with the softest blanket yarns.”
Hand-sewn crowns by Sara Flood of Sara and Sybill of Belle Valley will be on display at Wit & Whimzy on Front Street from 5-9 p.m. Friday during First Friday activities in Marietta. (Photo Provided)
Flood uses cotton fabrics to make her dress-up crowns and hair accessories, which can be found in Wit & Whimzy’s children’s boutique.
“I’m excited to host Sara as an artist, because I’ve watched her grow her business while she also works as a retail associate for Wit & Whimzy,” Whit and Whimsy owner Laura Pytlik said. “Sara & Sybil has gained a loyal following as more people discover the lovely products on Etsy and at pop-up market events.”
Flood said she’s always felt a strong sense of family heritage tied to handicrafts like sewing, knitting and crocheting.
“It’s been a big part of my daily life since childhood. As a mom of young kiddos, my schedule has become more hectic which led me to crave a craft that is portable,” she said. “Every day I pack a yarn bag and wait for a quiet moment to crochet a few rounds, usually in the school pick-up line.”
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