fabulous fiber fest

Our Fiber Fest was Fabulous!  Everyone had such a great time that we have decided to have another, and we scheduled it for October 1st. There should be beautiful little Hatton Finnsheep lambies by that time! 

 

Here is a picture of the big tent that we put up the night before. It doubled as a classroom and lunchroom...the weather was very enjoyable early in the morning...

We held the spinning workshop down in the barn, where there were several antique wheels that everyone could test drive. This first one belong to our hostess, Grace Hatton. It is the Londonderry, NH wheel made by Benjamin Gregg about 1800...and it was the first wheel her husband Fred, who is a master wood turner, restored.

This next wheel is Scandinavian - and Fred made a new bobbin flyer for it. He restored the finials on the wheel supports. He also made two bobbins for it.  Isn't it just beautiful?

The great wheel is very similar to one that is documented Berks County, PA. With its wide rim and distinctive turnings it has a commanding presence - and spins like a dream. Both the Scandinavian and the Great Wheel are for sale.  Spinning on these old wheels always makes me feel a connection to the past...and makes me wonder about the people who spun on them. 

I had a very fun time with my needle felting students. What a great group of women. I really enjoyed meeting them, and teaching them what they needed to get started with a new skill. There was a workshop for the triloom and the square loom that Judy taught. All of her students enjoyed learning this new skill, some even electing to stay behind and forfeit some of the lunch hour just to keep working on the project! This is common for trilooming...it is highly addictive, especially to newbies!

Louise taught a workshop all about Alpacas and fiber preparation.  She brought some of her luscious alpaca fiber along and lectured about the process and handling of the fiber. (this is a workshop I wish I had time to sit in on myself!)

Lunchtime provided a chance to sit and chat--make new friends
---and exchange project ideas.  It also gave time to take a walk and visit the animals, or tour the gardens.

 

At the end of the day, the local press showed up, and filmed a short segment of us spinning away.  One of the women who came to the workshop was spinning on the Great Wheel (and was kind enough to share some tips with me).  She was filmed speaking about the olden days, and how much wealth a spinster could bring to a family.  She said that the spinsters were often given a position of great honor within the household, receiving the best of the food, and the best bed etc..because they could provide the family with clothing.  Quite a contrast to the derogatory way we use the word today.

 

All in all it was a lovely day of learning! Fiber people make for good company. I look forward to October and the next series of workshops.  Now I turn my thoughts to Dorflinger Days, The Endless Mountain Fiber Fest, and The Northeast Small Farm Expo (see the sidebar listing). Schweew!  Better get spinning!