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A range of classes are planned for this weekend’s Fiber, Fabric & Fighting.

See the full event announcement here.

Embroidery

“Waste of Time” Russian Gold Cording

THL Cristina inghean Ghriogair

Learn how to make inexpensive cording of various thickness and lengths to match your project. Gold twist cording is used in all kinds of embroidery as early as the 15 century. 1 hour. No limit.

Russian Gold Work Embroidery

THL Cristina inghean Ghriogair

We will be learning the basics of how to apply pearls, beads, padding and waste of time (cording) to Russian style embroidery. Kits will contain materials to finish a bag. Kits include: handout, waste of time (cording), pearls, seed beads, padding, cotton cording, needles, 6” hoop, brocade, linen or cotton for backing, lining, bees wax, threads and draw cords. 3 hours. Limit TBA. $20 for kits.

 How to Train Your Slate Frame

Lady Cele OM

How to set up a slate frame for embroidery. Knowing which end of a needle is pointy would be useful. Limited number of kits to go from pile of sticks to set up frame available. Unlimited observers. Students will start with the unassembled frame, sew up the embroidery ground cloth, and sew to frame. See why this method was the way to embroider until the 20th Century: the tension is even and holds like the Hoover Dam. Email if you have a frame that you want to get set up. 1 hour. $20 for kits, 5 available. Free to audit. Contact me if you want to use your own frame for special set up kit. (Contact Phiala for email info.)

Couching: The Medieval-est Embroidery Stitch of All!

Mistress Jaqueline de Molieres

An overview of six variations on couching, when and where they were used, pictures, examples, demos.  No actual stitching by students, so no supplies required.  Students will go away with an understanding of different types of couching and how it might apply to them and their embroidery projects. I will have examples and photos of each stitch and will demo how they are done. Please bring paper and pencil. 1 hour.

Spinning

Support Spindling

Lady Glenna Cholmondeley

This class will explore the history and techniques used to create yarn using a supported spindle.  Supported spindles are ideal to use for fine yarns or more delicate fibers that might not stand the weight of a drop spindle (such as cotton or cashmere).  Supported spindles and fibers will be provided in the materials, but students are encouraged to bring their own fibers or spindles they would like help with. 1 to 2 hours. $5 for materials.

Fiber Prep for Handspinners

Lady Glenna Cholmondeley

This class will explore different fibers and fiber preparations and strategies for spinning or felting fibers that may be new to the students as well as recognizing which fiber preparations may be best suited for the skill level and desired outcome by the student.  Wools, silks, cottons, and other natural fibers will be explored.  This class is suitable for all skill levels.  Fibers will be provided in the class materials, but students are encouraged to bring their own fiber samples and fiber prep tools to have questions answered and/or suggestions for dealing with problematic fiber preparations and tools. 1 to 2 hours. $2 for materials

Braiding

Skjoldehamn Belt Deconstructed

Mistress Elska á Fjárfelli

Learn to make the 24-yarn, 12-strand braided Skjoldehamn belt, with demos on the braid and plausible ways of wrapping the cord and making the tassels. Includes detailed DIY handout. This is a show and tell class, but if you want to start a braided belt and work on it the weekend, bring 12 bobbins, each of two yarns, of twice the length needed (either kumihimo bobbins or pieces of cardboard – check my blog for more info) and I can get you started: http://bookeofsecretes.blogspot.com/2017/10/how-to-make-12-strand-skjoldehamn-belt.html Class length, limits, materials, and special needs (if any). 1 hour. Limit 5 active braiders, auditors welcome.

Weaving

The Rules of Brocaded Tablet Weaving

Silvester Burchardt

TBA

Tablet-Woven Structures

Silvester Burchardt

TBA

Hair of the Naga: How to Weave Fake Fur.

Lady Cele OM

Early Period fake fur was a way to make a shaggy cloth AND still have a sheep for milking, making more sheep and wool. Knowing what a loom is would be very useful. Students will have a small 2 harness loom to work on during the day. They will go home with a woven sample of cloth and other samples. Samples of cloaks and cloth will be available to examine. Students will have a warped (with hand spun) loom to work with, soft spun yarn for weft and separated locks to insert for the fringe. Another method of making a shaggy cloth will be presented as research in process. 1 hour; can be finished during the day. Limit TBA. Fee for kits TBA.

Hands-on Tablet Woven Brocade

THL Hrólfr á Fjárfelli

Intermediate brocading TBA. 1 hour. Limit 4. Auditors welcome.

Clothing

Inventorying the Inventories: A Quantitative Analysis of Garments and Materials in the Inventories of Isabel of Portugal, Empress of Spain

Baroness Elena de la Palma

Recent publication of the full, unabridged inventories of Isabel of Portugal have allowed unprecedented access to information about what she wore, what it was made from, and what adornments it bore. This class will present the instructor’s work to quantify the garments in the inventories: how many of each garment was owned, how often various materials are used for each, etc. Through this class, the student will gain an understanding of what conclusions can be drawn from these inventories to assist in the construction of clothing from Spain, what this information might mean in the context of broader European clothing context, and the limitations and drawbacks of inventories as source material. Access to a sortable, searchable digital spreadsheet will be provided at the end of class and available to students in perpetuity. 1 hour. No limit. Donation for handout welcome.

Luxury Velvets of the Late Fifteenth Century

Marguerite d’Honfleur

TBA

Hat Foundations

Baroness Therasa du Domrémy

Students will learn about different types of hat construction and specific techniques of the flat pattern method. You will practice the different basic stitches used in millinery work. Then you will use those stitches to sew millinery wire on buckram three ways and sew on trim. You will learn and practice how to sew on pearls so they stay tight and in place for the next 30 years. Students need to bring: A Thimble that fits well, Embroidery Shears. If you have, please also bring: Sewing Wax, Small needle nose pliers, and 4” or 6” embroidery hoop. The Instructor will provide all other items needed. 2 hours. Limit 7. $2 for supplies.

Intro to Knitting: Make a Monmouth Cap

Mistress Irene von Schmetterling

You will learn to cast on, knit, purl, and other essential knitting tasks. Students should bring a skein of worsted or bulky yarn, preferably wool and Double point or 16 inch circular needle in size 10, 11 or 13. Some needles will be available for use during the class. 1.5 hours. Limit 12.

Miscellaneous

A Mary Rose ruler for your period sewing kit

Master Bedwyr Danwyn

This is a make & take class where each student can make a 6 inch ruler for their period sewing kit based on Mary Rose recoveries. Great for public demos as well as actual use. 1 hour. No limit. No fee.

Getting Knotty with Posament, the other other form of Viking Era wire work

Lady Mar’itsa Sumnikova

In this class you will learn the origins of tenntrad, the core spun material whose origins potentially lie with the Saami peoples, explore how it got into Viking hands, and learn the knotting techniques used to create one of the pieces found in Grave 944 at Birka. Open discussion is encouraged during this class, as are questions! Experience with macramé or knotting is helpful but not necessary to attend. Handout, materials provided. 1.5 hours. Limit 12. No fee, but donations welcome if you enjoyed the class.

Natural Dyeing

Mistress Irene von Schmetterling

TBA

See the full event announcement here.