AUGUSTA — The glint of quilters’ needles and whir of spinners’ wheels will be just a few of the sights and sounds at the Maine State Museum during “Threads of Labor,” a free event on Saturday, Sept. 5.

This free family festival, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., celebrates the International Year of Natural Fiber and includes activities for all ages, such as hand carding and spinning, as well as demonstrations by quilters, spinners, knitters and rug hookers.

Tours spotlighting Maine’s heritage of fiber production will include the museum’s award-winning “Made in Maine” exhibit and its newest exhibit, “Uncommon Threads: Wabanaki Textiles, Clothing, and Costume.”

“The Maine State Museum is uniquely positioned to showcase fiber production,” said chief educator Joanna Torow. “We feature home and factory settings that were centered on the hard, slow work of turning raw materials into clothing and blankets. In our new ‘Uncommon Threads’ exhibit, the story of textile production takes on a new dimension, with a look at Native peoples’ creation of cordage, baskets, mats and all types of attire.”