Aug. 25, 2022

Elizabeth Davelaar came home to Sioux Falls four years ago with a degree in sustainable fashion and a mission.

Davelaar was determined to start her own business, supporting local producers and following sustainable practices. But she couldn’t find local sources for yarn.

There are only about 200 mills that process raw fleece into yarn and other fabric across the country, Davelaar said. The closest ones to Sioux Falls when she was searching were in Fargo and a couple in rural South Dakota.

So she decided she’d start a mill in Sioux Falls.

After training, purchasing equipment and recruiting her sister and mom to her team, the Maker’s Way Fiber Mill is keeping busy and showing off its product at the 605 Made Night Market on Saturday.

The business sells locally sourced and naturally dyed yarn and products for weaving, quilting and crafting.

The women also produce several other products, including rugs, headbands, dryer balls and play mats for children.

“There aren’t a lot of avenues with fashion degrees for someone to get a job in the industry that’s not retail,” said Davelaar, who moved back to Sioux Falls from St. Louis. “I knew there had to be a way to incorporate farmers in the state and get that fiber into actual products for people to use in their day-to-day life.”

While Davelaar has a background in sustainable fashion design, her sister Erin Van Nieuwenhuyzen has a background in animal science, providing an understanding to both the producer and end-product market. Van Nieuwenhuyzen also grows plants such as marigolds, purple carrots and Hopi sunflowers to naturally dye the product. Their mother, Kari Davelaar, is a former nurse and helps wash the fiber and create products.

“It’s definitely a labor of love, but we see a great value and importance in it,” Davelaar said.

Most of the state’s sheep producers send their fiber four to five hours away to eventually get shipped overseas or throw their fiber away. Alpaca producers had nowhere to ship their fiber before Maker’s Way, Devalaar added.

Now, the business is trying to keep up with demand. It’s three to four months out on projects. Most mills are a year out, she added.

“We are involved in the process from start to finish,” Develaar said. “We know what goes in the fiber, and that’s the biggest thing for us.”

The 605 Made Night Market will be from 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday on the southeast corner of Sixth Street and Phillips Avenue. It’s co-organized by Knotty Gnome Variety & Salvage and SiouxFalls.Business and is sponsored by The First National Bank in Sioux Falls and Dow Rummel Village.

Here’s your guide to shopping, food, entertainment at Saturday’s 605 Made Night Market