Community Calendar and Information Hub

The WhatcomTalk Events Calendar shares things to do around Whatcom County including Bellingham, Ferndale, Lynden, Blaine and beyond. Find fun activities and adventures throughout the region on our comprehensive events calendar. Have an event that isn’t listed? Click the green “Post your Event” button and our editors will review and approve within two business days.

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Mar
1
Wed
Call to Artists: Ragfinery’s Cirque du Couture Runway Challenge @ Ragfinery
Mar 1 @ 10:00 am
Call to Artists: Ragfinery's Cirque du Couture Runway Challenge @ Ragfinery | Bellingham | Washington | United States

Ragfinery, Bellingham’s nucleus of creative textile reuse, announces its much anticipated runway “challenge” and seeks artists of all ages and skill levels to participate. This year’s theme, Cirque du Couture, offers innovative artists, designers, seamstresses and other creative types a fantastical inspiration from which to springboard designs.

Drawing ideas from the popular Cirque du Soleil performance ensemble, participants will create runway-ready creations out of anything they can find at Ragfinery! With the support of enthusiastic community members as an audience, participants will model their creations on the red carpet runway to a panel of local judges, and winners will be announced the night of the show.

The challenge will open for artist registration on Wednesday, March 1 for a $20 registration fee. Materials can then be purchased from Ragfinery. There will be a cap of 25 participants, and materials are first come first serve, so early registration is encouraged. Individuals interested in participating can sign up in person at Ragfinery (1421 N. Forest Street, Bellingham). Registration closes as soon as all spots have been filled.

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Apr
23
Sun
Vintage Style Show and Friends Annual Meeting @ WCLS Everson Library
Apr 23 @ 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Vintage Style Show and Friends Annual Meeting @ WCLS Everson Library | Everson | Washington | United States

100 years of vintage fashions are modeled at this exclusive show from the private collection of Louise Sager. Invite others to join you for this entertaining overview of our history preserved through fashion. Refreshments will be served. Program follows the Friends of the Everson Library’s brief annual meeting.

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Jun
8
Thu
Handbags for Housing @ Depot Market Square
Jun 8 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Handbags for Housing @ Depot Market Square | Bellingham | Washington | United States

Thursday June 8, from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Downtown Bellingham’s Depot Market Square, will become New York fashion week with a mission. Lydia Place, along with event partners Whatcom County Association of Realtors, The Beauty Institute-Schwarzkopf Professional, Labels Consignment and Wise Buys Thrift Store present Handbags for Housing, Downtown Bellingham’s largest ladies (gentlemen welcome) night, fashion extravaganza and handbag exchange. Hundreds of handbags, a beauty bar, cocktail and wine vendors, along with local boutiques and retailers all come together under one roof (and a 3,2000 square foot tent), to showcase the sheer power of local fashion and philanthropy. Tickets go on sale April 3rd via the event website handbagsforhousing.com, with all proceeds benefitting Lydia Place services and housing for local homeless families.

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Jul
22
Sat
Clean Out Your Closet / Sidewalk Sale @ Social Fabric
Jul 22 @ 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Clean Out Your Closet / Sidewalk Sale @ Social Fabric | Bellingham | Washington | United States

Clean Out Your Closet / Sidewalk Sale – Shop Friday and Saturday July 21 – 22! OPEN LATE for the Commercial Street Night Market

SHOP donated garments, jewelry or accessories like: hats, belts, purses, shoes, scarves and shawls; All clean and something you’d be proud to wear!

DONATE a minimum of 10 items (up to 25) and receive an “I’m Generous” button good for a 25% discount (expires 7/2018) that can be used in our store (just not at this sale). * ALSO Lydia Place and Agape House will each get 25% of the price of your items sold and so will YOU!

Donation Drop Off: During business hours Fri., 7/14th – Wed. 7/19th

Light snacks and refreshments will be provided while you’re shopping.

Unsold items should be picked up by July 29th or they’ll be donated.

CONTACT US for more info and the nitty gritty details by email at: info@socialfabricart.com or by phone at: (360) 733-1323

GET BUSY CLEANING OUT THAT CLOSET!!!

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Sep
22
Fri
Ragfinery’s Sewing Rodeo: LIVE Upcycle Sewing Challenge! @ Ragfinery
Sep 22 @ 5:30 pm
Ragfinery's Sewing Rodeo: LIVE Upcycle Sewing Challenge! @ Ragfinery | Bellingham | Washington | United States

September is National Sewing Month, and we want to celebrate! Join us for this 2-day, fun-filled, nail-biting, LIVE sewing and design upcycle challenge at Ragfinery.

In true rodeo spirit, teams of two will work in cahoots to create their version of what a modern day cowgirl might wear on the mean streets of Bellingham. Remember y’all, it’s not just about leather, fringe and boots. It’s more about the spirit of it. Our B’ham cowgirls are independent, creative and passionate with their own take on things!

On Friday afternoon our teams will meet up at the ol’ Ragfinery for the kick-off and be turned loose on a mad dash to round up their materials. They’ll head home to sketch out their ideas that evening, and then high tail it back to Ragfinery on Saturday morning and have the day to rustle up a garment that represents their funky vision. The sky’s the limit!

Our Rodeo will finish up with a saunter down the runway at Ragfinery that evening, and prizes will be awarded. Mark your calendars, grab a pardner, and head on down to see what all the ruckus is about!

Keep informed of updates via our Facebook event page and website.

Schedule:
Friday, 8/25
10:00 a.m.: Artist entry opens – register in-store at Ragfinery

Friday, 9/22
5:30 p.m.: Challengers orientation and materials dash

Saturday, 9/23
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.: LIVE sewing competition! Come see the teams in action and cheer them on.
4:30 – 5:30 p.m.: In-store runway show.
5:00 – 5:30 p.m.: Judging, awards, refreshments

Admission for the entire event is FREE!

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Sep
23
Sat
Ragfinery’s Sewing Rodeo: LIVE Upcycle Sewing Challenge! @ Ragfinery
Sep 23 @ 10:00 am
Ragfinery's Sewing Rodeo: LIVE Upcycle Sewing Challenge! @ Ragfinery | Bellingham | Washington | United States

September is National Sewing Month, and we want to celebrate! Join us for this 2-day, fun-filled, nail-biting, LIVE sewing and design upcycle challenge at Ragfinery.

In true rodeo spirit, teams of two will work in cahoots to create their version of what a modern day cowgirl might wear on the mean streets of Bellingham. Remember y’all, it’s not just about leather, fringe and boots. It’s more about the spirit of it. Our B’ham cowgirls are independent, creative and passionate with their own take on things!

On Friday afternoon our teams will meet up at the ol’ Ragfinery for the kick-off and be turned loose on a mad dash to round up their materials. They’ll head home to sketch out their ideas that evening, and then high tail it back to Ragfinery on Saturday morning and have the day to rustle up a garment that represents their funky vision. The sky’s the limit!

Our Rodeo will finish up with a saunter down the runway at Ragfinery that evening, and prizes will be awarded. Mark your calendars, grab a pardner, and head on down to see what all the ruckus is about!

Keep informed of updates via our Facebook event page and website.

Schedule:
Friday, 8/25
10:00 a.m.: Artist entry opens – register in-store at Ragfinery

Friday, 9/22
5:30 p.m.: Challengers orientation and materials dash

Saturday, 9/23
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.: LIVE sewing competition! Come see the teams in action and cheer them on.
4:30 – 5:30 p.m.: In-store runway show.
5:00 – 5:30 p.m.: Judging, awards, refreshments

Admission for the entire event is FREE!

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Oct
7
Sat
Textural Felt Hats @ Ragfinery
Oct 7 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Learn how to make a pattern resist to fit your head, and use up-cycled fabrics and wool to create a fun, textural, classy (or any style you like) felt hat. Various styles will be presented as samples for the class, including some that might be worn for Halloween! Participants will finish up by learning about shaping your damp hat. Note: There will be no set lunch break, so please bring snacks and/or lunch to eat during class. Register in store or online.

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Oct
14
Sat
Needle Felted Sweater Purse @ Ragfinery
Oct 14 @ 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Come learn how to upcycle a sweater into a beautiful purse or tote. Cashmere, merino wool and lambswool sweaters make for fashionable autumn or winter accessories. Needle felting adds a touch of wool embroidery that makes for a one-of-a-kind piece of wearable art. Materials available for purchase at Ragfinery. Shop well in advance for best selection. Register in store or online.

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Oct
18
Wed
Needle Felted Fingerless Gloves @ Ragfinery
Oct 18 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Come learn how to upcycle a sweater into a warm and beautiful pair of fingerless gloves. Cashmere, merino wool and lambswool sweaters make for cozy and fashionable autumn or winter accessory. Needle felting adds a touch of wool embroidery that makes for a one-of-a-kind piece of wearable art. Materials available for purchase at Ragfinery. Shop well in advance for best selection. Register in store or online.

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Feb
14
Wed
Call to Artists: Ragfinery’s Flora and Fauna Runway Challenge @ Ragfinery
Feb 14 @ 7:00 pm
Call to Artists: Ragfinery’s Flora and Fauna Runway Challenge @ Ragfinery | Bellingham | Washington | United States

Ragfinery, Bellingham’s community hub for creative textile reuse, announces its much anticipated 4th annual runway “challenge,” this year titled Flora and Fauna, and seeks artists to participate. In conjunction with April’s Earth Day festivities, the theme celebrates our natural world in its elegance and wonder, challenging participants to design and construct costumes, garments and accessories that embody the beauty and grace displayed in our natural world. Participants will share their creations on the runway at the Leopold Crystal Ballroom for the community to experience on Saturday, April 14, at 7:00 p.m.

The challenge will open for artist registration on Wednesday, February 14th for a $20 registration fee. Materials can then be purchased from Ragfinery. There will be a cap of 28 participants and materials are first come first serve, so early registration is encouraged. Individuals interested in participating can sign up in person at Ragfinery (1421 N. Forest Street, Bellingham) and details about the event can be found at ragfinery.com.

Participants’ entries must be submitted on Friday, April 13 for judging and dress rehearsal.

Ragfinery is a Bellingham nonprofit organization that diverts unwanted textiles from the waste stream and upcycles them in a training business that provides transitional jobs for low income clients of our partner social service agencies and schools. We collaborate with local artisans and community volunteers to repurpose unwanted garments and textiles into a variety of upcycled goods that showcase the skills and talent of our collective.

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Nov
10
Sat
Eileen Fisher Renew Pop-up Sale @ Ragfinery
Nov 10 @ 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Eileen Fisher Renew Pop-up Sale @ Ragfinery | Bellingham | Washington | United States

Wear Your Flaws On Your Sleeve.

Join Seattle’s Eileen Fisher Renew and Ragfinery for Bellingham’s Not-Quite Perfect Sale! Shop gently worn, slightly flawed Eileen Fisher pieces at $10 and up! Every purchase of a Not-Quite Perfect item extends the life of the clothes we love, and helps to reduce fashion’s footprint, one garment at a time. Please BYOB (bring your own bag).

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Mar
14
Thu
Ladies Night Out @ Floyd Norgaard Cultural Center
Mar 14 @ 5:30 pm

Ladies, join us for a night of fun while giving back to your community! Enjoy a live auction, raffle, vendors, fashion show and fantastic hors-d’oeuvres.
All proceeds benefit Warm Beach Camp’s Special Friends Camps, camps for adults with disabilities!

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May
4
Sat
Hatstravaganza @ Social Fabric
May 4 all-day
Hatstravaganza @ Social Fabric

Social Fabric is thrilled to welcome Northwest milliners Daria Wheatley, Laura Clampitt, and Deb Waters to our downtown Bellingham boutique on Saturday, May 4th for the Millinery Artisan Guild of the Pacific Northwest‘s “Hatstravaganza” event!

Visit with the designers from 11am – 6pm, admire their work and let them help you find YOUR perfect hat!

Attending a Kentucky Derby party and need a special hat? Come see some of the beauties we’ll have during the Hatstravaganza trunk show and sale.

Questions? Call (360) 733-1323

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Oct
19
Sat
Ragfinery Upcyle Runway Challenge @ Bellingham Technical College, Settlemeyer Hall
Oct 19 all-day
Ragfinery Upcyle Runway Challenge @ Bellingham Technical College, Settlemeyer Hall

Fanciful fashions inspired by Fables & Tales and designed by local artists will strut down the runway at BTC’s Settlemeyer Hall for the Ragfinery Upcyle Runway Challenge. Join the Ragfinery as we celebrate creativity and garment reuse with the runway show, silent auction and pop-up show. Ticket price includes appetizers; VIP tickets include 2 drink tickets, goodie bag and special seating. 6-9 p.m.

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