Fiber Arts Equipment Auction
Updated for 2026
The Fiber Arts Equipment Auction at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival has been a favorite of buyers and sellers for more than 30 years. During this entertaining and educational spectacle, around 200 lots are auctioned off in the course of three hours. Whether you are looking to buy your first piece of fiber equipment, sell the loom that you never quite took to, or bring home a lovely antique spinning wheel, this auction is for you!
**New for 2026** The auction will be starting at noon. The preview and buy-it-now period will be from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
The commission on sales is 20%. If you put a reserve price on an item, and the item is not sold, you will be charged 10% of the reserve. There is NO “buyer’s premium” (a surcharge added to the sale price, a common practice in professional auctions). Sellers will be paid within forty-five days.
To make it easier for buyers and sellers to estimate when a particular item will come up for sale, lots are auctioned in pre-assigned numerical order. Sellers will have the option of marking items with a “buy-it-now” price, permitting buyers to make purchases during the auction preview. Last year, about a third of the items consigned to the auction sold during the buy-it-now period. Sellers offered fair prices, and buyers recognized this. Please see this downloadable PDF for details about buy-it-now.
After the online consignment system is activated on March 15, you will be able to view the growing auction catalog as sellers submit their online consignment forms.
Sellers, please take note:
The Saturday auction accepts all fiber tools. Fiber supplies (yarn, roving, fabric); books, magazines, and patterns; and household items are accepted ONLY if they are part of a well-thought-out fiber-equipment package. The auction committee reserves the right to refuse any item for any reason.
This is historically a “fun” auction with a strong sense of community. As a seller, you can prepare items in ways that facilitate their sale. This keeps the auction lively and may put more money in your pocket! Take a few minutes to wipe off dust and dirt. Bundle small items into one lot to make a more attractive package. Label your lots to help buyers and the auctioneer. Please consult the Tips for Sellers for more information.
If you’re cleaning out the attic or a family member’s old work room and are not sure what you have, don’t worry. Volunteers will be available via email and at intake to assist you in identifying what you have and labeling it appropriately. We do ask that all consignments be complete and in working condition.
Consignments will be accepted at the auction tent (just west of the intersection of Midway Blvd and Fairgrounds Rd) on Friday, May 1, 2026 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Click here for a map: Festival Map | Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival
In order to streamline and modernize the auction, and because of insurmountable traffic issues, consignments can no longer be accepted outside of these hours unless special arrangements have been made with the Auction Committee (moc.liamg@fwsm.noitcua) before April 15, 2026.
Please note:
- Consignments are available for preview at any time up until the start of the auction. Some items may have a “buy-it-now” price so that you can make them yours right away. Click here for Tips for Buyers. You can register as a bidder online or in person.
- Buyers will need to take their entire purchase at checkout—parts cannot be left behind if only part of the item was wanted.
- Sellers must pick up any unsold items by the conclusion of the festival (5 p.m. on Sunday, May 3, 2026). They will be available for pickup at the tables in the auction tent. Any items left unclaimed will either be thrown away or recycled, or will become the property of Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival.
- Payment methods accepted include cash, checks, and most major credit cards.
Tips for Sellers
Please download and read the Tips for Sellers for some things you can do to help keep the auction running smoothly and enable your item to command its best price during its brief moment in the spotlight. You will also learn about a special gift for sellers who consign items online before April 15.
Tips for Buyers
- Pre-register online. Fill out the online Bidder Registration Form so you can pick up your bidder’s card in the express lane. You can also register for a bidder’s card at the desk in the Auction Tent at any time during the preview or even during the auction itself. You DO need to register in order to shop during the buy-it-now period (8:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.) or place a bid.
- Preview. Before the auction, walk through the auction tent. There isn’t time to examine an item while it’s being auctioned. In addition, some sellers may opt to mark their items with a buy-it-now price. For these items, you can simply pay the buy-it-now price, and the item is yours.
- Be prepared. Bring a tape measure, string suitable for a test drive band on a spinning wheel, reading glasses, and whatever else you think you may need to assess the items for sale. Have tools and moving blankets in your car so you can dismantle your purchases if necessary and bring them home.
- For more tips and information, download the Tips for Buyers and Buy It Now Instructions.
Still have questions?
Email moc.liamg@fwsm.noitcua.
