COTTON and the BAST FIBERS - Spinning, Dyeing and Finishing
Most new spinners start with wool as their first spinning fiber. While spinning different types of wool can present their own specific challenges and techniques, spinning cotton can be altogether different, challenging and very rewarding! The bast fibers, such as flax and ramie, can't be beat for gorgeous table dressings, and are again, very different fibers to spin. They are also some of our oldest spinning fibers. In this workshop, we will spend a full day, spinning all the various forms of cotton and flax, learn how to wet-finish and dye them.
Skills you will need to bring to the class:
1. Be able to spin a somewhat consistent medium and smaller ply effortlessly, with adequate twist, making consistent joins as needed. Treadling and spinning should be consistent. You should have had some experience working with your smallest whorl.
2. Know the basics of 2-ply plying.
3. Be comfortable changing your bobbins, tying on a leader and tensioning your wheel.
Supplies to bring to class:
Sample sized niddy-noddy, a distaff**, towel for your lap, small water bowl that can sit comfortably into your lap or tie to your wheel, index cards, notebook, pen, a pair of cotton hand cards.
** You can make a distaff quickly and inexpensively. Click on this LINK and download the .pdf file. You will need Adobe Reader to view it. If you do not have it, contact me and I will mail you the instructions for the class.
This is a FULL DAY class
COST - $60.00 plus a $10.00 supply fee for fibers
CLASS TOPICS
WORKING WITH YOUR WHEEL
1. Double drive wheel adjustments
2. Scotch tension (single-drive flyer lead) wheel adjustments
3. Irish tension (single-drive bobbin lead) wheel adjustments and pointers
CONSIDERATIONS OF TWIST
Spinning for crochet
SPINNING THE DIFFERENT COTTON FORMS
1. Unginned, seed cotton
2. Ginned cotton, lint
3. Hand carding and spinning perfect punis
4. Using a spindle or charka
5. Cotton rovings: carded slivers and top - woolen and worsted techniques
6. Proper yarn wet finishing
RAMIE
Properties, spinning techniques and wet finishing
FLAX FORMS
1. Flax top and carded roving
2. Strick
A. How to dress a distaff
B. Wet-spinning
C. Tow
3. Plying, the nap
4. Wet finishing and hammering or lustering
DYEING PLANT FIBERS
1. The dyes
2. Immersion
3. Painting
4. Setting