About
Alabama Fiber Festival
Welcome to the Alabama Fiber Festival (AFF), a vibrant celebration of fiber arts, creativity, and community! Held annually in the heart of Alabama, our festival brings together fiber enthusiasts, artisans, and small businesses from across the region. Whether you knit, crochet, weave, spin, or simply love handmade goods, AFF has something for everyone.
Our mission is to foster a welcoming environment where the fiber arts can thrive. From engaging workshops led by expert instructors to a diverse marketplace featuring local vendors, AFF is a place to learn, connect, and be inspired. With interactive demonstrations, live music, delicious food, and activities for all ages, the festival is a perfect outing for crafters and families alike.
AFF is more than an event—it’s a community. We are passionate about making the fiber arts accessible to everyone, supporting small businesses, and building connections that last well beyond festival day. Join us as we celebrate the creativity and craftsmanship that make the fiber arts so special.
Mark your calendar! The 2025 Alabama Fiber Festival will take place on November 14th & 15th at Cahaba Brewing in Birmingham, AL. With an expanded two-day format, we’re excited to welcome even more workshops, vendors, and attendees to this growing tradition.
Stay in the loop by following us on social media or signing up for our newsletter, and we’ll see you at the festival!
The Committee
The Alabama Fiber Festival is run by a committee of fiber artisans and allies. We are so excited to get to work together on this event and bring the fiber community together. Below you will find information about some of our committee members - feel free to reach out and say hi!
Kara Dupre
Executive Director
I love spending time with my partner & dogs, reading, spending time outdoors, and of coure - knitting! My mom taught me how to knit when I was about 5 years old, and I've been going ever since. Knitting socks is my go to - but I am starting to experiment with colorwork.
Q Wirtz
Outreach and Workshop Coordinator
Liza Q. Wirtz, better known as Q (or the Chief Feline :-)), weaves freestyle on two-harness floor looms, cards, and spins at her fiber-arts studio, the Foldout Cat. Q also teaches freespirited weaving, art-batt carding on tools from dog combs to drum carders, and basic spinning on her herd of wheels from lots of different wheelmakers. And she sells unique and custom-made art batts, finished woven items, and weaving, spinning, and carding tools, equipment, and supplies. Q’s other creative hats include those of sourdough baker, musician, and - yes, really - estate-planning attorney. She believes that everyone is an artist, and she teaches fiber arts to prove it to them. Come make with us!
DeLee Benton
Venue Coordinator
Bio coming soon
Bea Cross
Director of Vendor and Venue Ops
Hey there! I'm a mom of three and I've been exploring the wonderful world of fiber for the past seven years. I've tried my hand at a lot of different fiber elements, but right now I'm really enjoying knitting and crocheting cozy clothing items. I'm even learning how to spin - it's so much fun! In my professional life, I have experience with event planning and organizing craft fairs. I'm super excited to bring this knowledge to the table and help plan the Alabama Fiber Festival. Can't wait to see you there!
Katy Turbeville
Workshop Specialist
Katy grew up in rural Arkansas. She started knitting in 2010 and dove headfirst into the fiber community very quickly: starting with visiting yarn shops on road trips, then teaching knitting classes, and eventually a brick and mortar yarn shop. Having an everyday shop taught her two things; that she loved fiber arts, and loved traveling with her husband, Dean. In 2017, she moved back to Arkansas and got out of the brick and mortar yarn business, ramping up her fiber arts teaching business. By the time 2021 rolled around, the ideas for a mobile yarn shop, Yarn Adventure, were taking shape. She and Dean now travel the country in a converted RV, selling hand-dyed yarns, notions, and accessories from dozens of small-batch dyers and makers across the US. She continues to teach a variety of fiber arts classes at festivals and local yarn shops across the US.
Christina Gabmle
Project Manager
I started crocheting in 2020 as a pandemic hobby, and I caught the bug—I’ve been crocheting ever since! I enjoy making all kinds of projects, from blankets to shawls to hats, but my favorites are amigurumi. There's just something special about creating something with a face. :)
I live in Pelham, Alabama, with my husband and our two dogs, Penny Lane and Luna. With over a decade of experience in project management, I’m excited to lend my skills to the Alabama Fiber Festival and help share in the joy of fiber arts across our community and beyond!