Scenic Stitches is a local fiber arts event company dedicated to sharing the many forms of fiber arts, including crochet, cross-stitch, bobbin weaving, and beyond! Partnering with local organizations, Scenic Stitches showcases the creativity and community spirit that bloom in Chattanooga all year long. Every spring they bring us the Scenic Stitches Fiber Festival. Visitors of all ages are invited to gather for live demonstrations and interactive art installations. It’s a chance to celebrate Chattanooga’s talented textile artists and get hands-on with fiber arts yourself.

Fiber Artists

Local artists like Grace McDonald display handmade items to admire and purchase. The image below features her cup sleeves and coaster designs that highlight her vibrant woven textiles. Her booth, along with many others, offers something for everyone to enjoy.

Visitors can also pick up a skein of hand-dyed yarn from Night Bright Yarn Co., a women-owned business whose stunning collections are inspired by paintings and natural landscapes Several of her sock yarn designs are featured in the image below. 

Beyond the work itself, local fiber artists share the stories behind each creation. Dianne Williams, founder of Lemon Peel Ceramics, blends fiber arts and ceramics by using handmade textiles to imprint clay, giving her collection a beautifully distinct texture. The ornaments and plates in the third image below showcase these unique designs.

Interactive Art

Interactive art installations spread throughout the festival offer the perfect opportunity to try your hand at fiber arts. These hands-on activities encourage guests to explore their creativity while learning new techniques in weaving, embroidery and more.

The image below captures a heartwarming family moment as they stitch together. It perfectly reflects the community spirit Scenic Stitches strives to create and serves as a reminder of how art can connect generations.

Presentations

Artists share their craft through live demonstrations, answering questions and engaging others.

In the photos below, Marcy Johnson demonstrates the magic of embroidery and needle felting! Marcy and her sister, Danielle Landrum, founded The Knot & Needle, a local fiber arts studio and retail shop located in the Hixson area. They offer both group and individual classes for anyone interested in discovering their own creativity.

James McKissic’s mission is to build a stronger, more inclusive community by sharing culturally rich stories through the arts. McKissic, President of ArtsBuild and Chair of Humanities Tennessee, is a beloved figure in the Chattanooga community. He invites everyone to try basket weaving for themselves. His interactive style reminds others that creativity weaves people together, much like the fibers in his art. He demonstrates his basket weaving process in the image below.

Family Fun

Looking for a way to entertain the whole family? Head to Coolidge Park to enjoy open lawns and a family-friendly atmosphere. Chattanooga’s famous riverside park provides open lawns, shady trees and a splash pad for kids to cool off.

The park often features amenities like the pop-up playground shown below, giving visitors of all ages even more ways to play. Coolidge Park is a welcoming space for everyone, making it a perfect place for a day of creativity and fun.

Meanwhile, Chattanooga Fire Cabaret’s thrilling performances are sure to impress. Her dazzling movements, bursts of color, and floating bubbles are always a big hit with both kids and adults.

The next Scenic Stitches Fiber Festival will be held at the Chattanooga Convention Center from February 28th - March 1st, 2026.

To find more information and year-round fiber arts fun, visit scenicstitches.com. 

A 🎶 Note about the author and Visit Chattanooga's partnership with UTC

This blog was written by a student in Exploring Chattanooga, a Communication class at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. These students are helping document, define, and share the diverse cultural experiences scene that can be found in the Scenic City. Find more student-written blogs about local cultural experiences here.