Due to COVID-19, FTWG cancelled its 2020 Conference one week before it was scheduled to start. As a result, this workshop was not taught in 2020.

18th Century Linens

Skill Level

Intermediate

Required Skills:

  • Must be able to bring a warped loom to class.

Class Length

  • 2.5 Days
  • Friday: 9 am to 12 pm, 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
  • Saturday: 9 am to 12 pm, 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
  • Sunday: 9 am to 12 pm

Description

There are many beautiful linen patterns from the 18th and 19th century that were woven by professional and home weavers alike. Every weaver with an interest in historical weaving should try linen! In this class you will sample Bronson, Huck, M’s & O’s, Dimity, and three kinds of Twill in linen and in cotton. You will learn about linen finishing and distressing, and discuss efficient 18th century warping & beaming techniques. Most drafts are four-harness, but some eight-harness drafts are available. This workshop will be a round robin, which means that students rotate from one loom to another in order to weave on a variety of drafts.

Fees

Registration Fee $260 for FTWG members and $295 for all others.
Materials Fee $30

Materials Fee includes: includes yarn kit, postage, and handouts

Students to Bring

  • A warped loom
  • Two or three shuttles
  • Bobbins
  • Tape measure
  • Scissors
  • Note-taking tools

Instructor Bio

Melissa Weaver Dunning

Headshot of speaker Melissa Weaver Dunning

Melissa Weaver Dunning is a hand-weaver, spinner, and knitter with over 40 years of experience working on antique equipment to recreate 18th- and 19th-century home-produced textiles. She began her textile study with Scottish master weaver Norman Kennedy in 1980, and carries on this rich tradition in her own teaching. Melissa is an avid tartan and linen weaver, a compulsive knitter, and a lover of wool who enjoys sharing her passion for weaving and spinning with students. She is also a ballad singer, specializing in the ballads and songs of Ireland, Scotland and England from before Napoleon’s time.

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