In Part 1 of our series on Quebec’s fiber community, you met two talented fiber artists who are making beautiful things in Quebec. Meet two more of Quebec’s masterful fiber artists in Part 2 of our series on Quebec’s thriving fiber community!
Marie-Pierre Chabot
Owner, Mapi Créations
Marie-Pierre Chabot with one of her hand-dyed batts. Photos courtesy of Marie-Pierre Chabot
What is your favorite part of creating spinning fibers and handspun yarns?
I enjoy every step of the process, but it’s dyeing that drives me the most. When the time comes to select colors, it’s all my creativity that’s put to work. I channel my intuition and that always serves me well. I’m inspired by the nature that surrounds me—always so generous with me. My Bolivian roots are probably responsible for the passion that guides my craft. I highly believe that it connects me to my ancestors, and I hope my dyeworks will bring joy into my customers’ lives.
Marie-Pierre's handspun yarn, inspired by nature.
What would you like customers to know about your work?
Here are some little-known facts about my work. For starters, I put a lot of care into how I source my fibers. I prioritize small family farms where the animals are well loved, and I place a lot of importance on sourcing my fibers locally. The transformation process is done at my studio in a true artisan way: the products you get in your hands have been touched by mine throughout the process—washing fleeces, dyeing, carding, or handspinning art yarns for your knitting or crochet projects.
Visit https://mapicreations.ca to learn more about Marie-Pierre and her fiber.
Melanie Allaire
Owner, A Lair Artifacts
Melanie Allaire with some of her hand-dyed tops. Photos by Melanie Allaire
How did you get into your craft?
From the early days of getting my hands messy with all sorts of crafts to this very moment, I’ve always been driven by curiosity, eager to experiment and dive into anything remotely creative. What began as a childhood curiosity grew into a love for design, textiles, and fashion that ultimately blossomed into a fulfilling career. I found myself not just creating beautiful pieces but also delving into the scientific aspects of fiber arts. The interplay between the technical and artistic aspects became my playground, where I could merge my love for science with the creativity of design. A Lair Artifacts was born from a simple desire: sharing my love and curiosity for the incredible variety of sheep breeds and fibers with fellow spinners in Quebec, sprinkled with a touch of creativity and a flair for mystery.
What is your favorite part of the process?
Every step—even the ones that might seem mundane to others—fills me with gratitude for doing what I absolutely love. Each moment in this process is a unique thread in the rich tapestry of my craft, and I consider myself incredibly fortunate to savor every single one. But if I had to narrow it down, curating vibrant colorways with moody vibes and stumbling upon new breeds/blends to introduce to our fantastic spinning community would be at the top of the list. And, of course, creating handcarded batt blends that make your fingers tingle with excitement.
What would you like us to know about your work?
Experimenting with over 40 different blends and breeds, I’ve practically become a matchmaker between fibers and dyes. Each breed has its own quirks, and understanding their personalities well enough to get the perfect hand-dyed result has been quite the journey. It’s like having a conversation with each batch—they all have their unique tales to tell.
Visit alairartifacts.com and find Melanie on Instagram @allaire.melanie to learn more.
Is there a dyer, toolmaker, fiber producer, or mill we should feature? Tell us about your favorite makers—large or small—at [email protected].