Fleece to Fabric (4-session workshop)
Have you ever wondered how the Elizabethans would have turned wool into cloth? Explore four heritage crafts on this journey of taking a raw fleece and transforming it into a woven item.
Transform a raw fleece into a new woven piece in this four-part workshop led by spinning and craft experts at Hardwick Hall. To take part in this workshop, participants must be able to make the allocated workshop times listed below.
Session 1 | Saturday 25 July | Fleece Preparation:
Learn how to wash, soak and rinse a raw fleece as part of the pre-preparation process. Participants will be shown how to tease fleece by hand and to use hand carders to produce rolags and flick carders to prepare wool locks for spinning. There will also be an opportunity to make batts on a drum carder and blend different colours.
Session 2 | Saturday 1 August | Spinning:
Get a feel for treadling on a treadle spinning wheel! Drop spindles will also be available for people to try throughout the session. We hope after this second session you will be able to take home one (or maybe two) skein/s of your own hand spun yarn!
Session 3| Saturday 8 August | Natural Dyeing:
Prepare a dye bath using both the flowers and woad leaves. Learn how to prepare a mordent bath and the yarn for dyeing. Participants should have at least 30 x 10 g samples of dyed yarn (plus your own yarn from previous session).
Session 4| Saturday 15 August | Weaving:
Delve into the history of weaving and learn how to set up and bind-off a mini-loom. Try using the weaving sticks to create a coaster. You’ll be able to take home everything you have made today will enough skills to try these techniques at home!
Image credit: Laurence Perry
Please note:
- All sessions, apart from the dye, are at the Park Centre, use What 3 Words for parking: (post.water.dustbin). The dye session will take place in the East Stables where parking is at the main car park.
- Please wear suitable clothing as the workshop can get messy. Please bring your own lunch.
- There is an accessible toilet and parking close to the Park Centre and in the Stableyard. This workshop take place on the ground floor with a small step to get into the workshop room at park centre and level access for the workshop room in the Stableyard.
- Suitable for over 16s.
Ticket options
Have you ever wondered how the Elizabethans would have turned wool into cloth? Explore four heritage crafts on this journey of taking a raw fleece and transforming it into a woven item.
Transform a raw fleece into a new woven piece in this four-part workshop led by spinning and craft experts at Hardwick Hall. To take part in this workshop, participants must be able to make the allocated workshop times listed below.
Session 1 | Saturday 25 July | Fleece Preparation:
Learn how to wash, soak and rinse a raw fleece as part of the pre-preparation process. Participants will be shown how to tease fleece by hand and to use hand carders to produce rolags and flick carders to prepare wool locks for spinning. There will also be an opportunity to make batts on a drum carder and blend different colours.
Session 2 | Saturday 1 August | Spinning:
Get a feel for treadling on a treadle spinning wheel! Drop spindles will also be available for people to try throughout the session. We hope after this second session you will be able to take home one (or maybe two) skein/s of your own hand spun yarn!
Session 3| Saturday 8 August | Natural Dyeing:
Prepare a dye bath using both the flowers and woad leaves. Learn how to prepare a mordent bath and the yarn for dyeing. Participants should have at least 30 x 10 g samples of dyed yarn (plus your own yarn from previous session).
Session 4| Saturday 15 August | Weaving:
Delve into the history of weaving and learn how to set up and bind-off a mini-loom. Try using the weaving sticks to create a coaster. You’ll be able to take home everything you have made today will enough skills to try these techniques at home!
Image credit: Laurence Perry
Please note:
- All sessions, apart from the dye, are at the Park Centre, use What 3 Words for parking: (post.water.dustbin). The dye session will take place in the East Stables where parking is at the main car park.
- Please wear suitable clothing as the workshop can get messy. Please bring your own lunch.
- There is an accessible toilet and parking close to the Park Centre and in the Stableyard. This workshop take place on the ground floor with a small step to get into the workshop room at park centre and level access for the workshop room in the Stableyard.
- Suitable for over 16s.
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