Last Sunday I taught a spinning class at The Fiber Loft. Usually I have a 3- person minimum, but I had made an exception, and I’m so glad I did! Chris and Meredith and I had a delightful afternoon. Chris is a fiber artist, focusing on knitting, dyeing and quilting, and was looking to expand his repertoire to spinning. Meredith was looking to learn about the meditative benefits of spinning. With just 2 students, I was able to tailor the class to their interests. We used an Ashford wheel and a Schacht, and tried out the new Majacraft wheel at the shop. The Ashford and Majacraft were ones I had tried out on my January trip to New Zealand, and I was eager to have students use them. It was enriching afternoon for all of us!
A couple weeks ago, I gave a talk for the Reading Antiquarian Society, which owns and manages the Parker Tavern in Reading, Mass. Thanks to my good friend Eric Workman for taking the pictures!
In preparation for the talk, I researched various textile tools in their collections and put together a presentation that would be interesting to the general public and helpful to volunteers at the historic house when they are giving tours.
Explaining how a niddy-noddy is used. Photo by Eric Workman
The talk covered a great wheel, a flax wheel, niddy-noddies, wool cards, a hetchel and a couple of textiles as well. I was able to find information on the origins of some of the tools and some of the people involved. In addition, I was able to show them how many of the tools are used, to give volunteer docents a better idea of how to interpret the objects for visitors.
This is one of the textiles in the collection. It’s a needlepoint sampler made by Sarah Ewer Burleigh. The words read, “Surviveing friends when this you see; Mourn for your sins and not for me.” And, “In the midst of mirth, Remember death.” Through some online research, I was able to find out that despite Sarah’s dark view of the world, she grew up, married, had 6 children, and lived to the age of 78. Was it simply customs of the period that compelled her to use these sayings?
Sarah Burleigh sampler
The 12-15 hours I spent preparing for this talk were well spent and very interesting to me. Attendees were engaged and asked some excellent questions. The room at the Reading senior center was well-equipped, with a TV with an HDMI port that we could connect to a computer with my presentation. I hope to be able to more presentations like this in the future!
Tomorrow (Sunday 3/3) is the drop spindle workshop at the Wayland Farmers Market Fiber Day. It runs 1-3. Details and signup are here.
Next Sunday 3/10, we’re adding a drop spindle class at the Fiber Loft, 12-3. Call the shop at 978-456-8669 to sign up.
Also, we’re adding another Beginning Weaving class at the Fiber Loft the first 2 Wednesdays of April. Details are here. This is a “being-a- friend” class! The first person plays full price and can bring a friend along for $20 more. You work together to make a sampler.
Here’s what I worked on this weekend, relaxing in an armchair at a friend’s house in Maine. (There was also some snow shoeing!) I spun the yarn from the BASD (Boston Area Spinners & Dyers) challenge fiber. The pattern is Strikeleik by Marianne Nesse on Ravelry. They are supposed to be knit in the round, but not having the right needles on hand, I adapted it to flat knitting. It’s a challenge to keep the tension even on the 2 yarns when knitting and purling.
We already have some interest in a great wheel class. If you want to be included, contact the Fiber Loft to get on the list. It will be scheduled at the convenience of all.
Hello! Penoix’s Weave Studio is officially my “day job” now! I’m spending time in my studio creating things, running classes at The Fiber Loft, and freelance consulting on all things weaving and spinning. And creating my website.
