Plant Dyeing, Peg Looming, Weaving and Felting

Plant Dyeing, Peg Looming, Weaving and Felting

Day One is plant dyeing day. I supply fleece, some of which I have pre-mordanted. I will tell you about chemical and natural mordanting, then you will gather dye plants from my garden and begin the dyeing process. If the woad is ready we will do a woad bath. During the day I will also show you different fleeces and how to sort and wash one. If there is time we will begin to learn hand carding, so that you have some wool prepared for the next day. We can use the indigo and rust bath for tie dyeing fabric, usually linen, cotton or silk, which people should provide for themselves.

Day Two This is the day when you will use the wool that has been dyed the day before to weave a peg loom mat or hanging. You can hand and drum card the wool first. Peg loom weaving is a simple and effective way of using wool. You will have a choice of naturally coloured fleece to work with, and will be able to weave in many colours. I have peg looms made from different woods, and this is a chance to design and make something beautiful to take home with you. There is also time to sit and watch the river go by.

Day Three On this day I will show you how to use a Brinkley loom and also how to make a sculptural piece of felt, a bag or a bowl as well as flat felt. There will be a chance to do some spinning on a hand spindle, and I will demonstrate spinning on a spinning wheel. You should have two or three samples to take home with you, and if you do all three days you will have a very good over all knowledge of the process of using wool from the sheared fleece to the finished products.