Fabric, Fiber, and Fighting XIX

Greetings to all weavers, dyers, tailors, spinners, and textile workers of all persuasions!


For a brief shining moment, we thought we could gather in person, but we have returned to the online format, much like last year. The nineteenth annual FFF will be held online on November 20, 2021. We plan to return to our beloved Sieg Center on October 29, 2022.


We are seeking Zoom-ready classes on all aspects of textiles and clothing, from spinning the fiber to weaving the cloth, to embellishing the fabric, and constructing the garments (bonus points for things I've never even thought of).


If you are interested in teaching, please fill out this google form for each class you’d like to offer. Note: the form is now closed, but there are still a few slots left. Contact Phiala if you'd like to add a class.



Registration is open now. All registrants will receive the Zoom links and access to the unofficial Discord server.


Classes will be scheduled on Eastern Standard Time (America/New_York), probably 10am-5pm. When instructors are willing to have their classes recorded, those recordings will be made available to registrants, so it may be worth registering (it's free!) to get access later.


Draft class schedule

Class Listing

Spinning and Fiber

Flax and linen through the millennia
Baroness Fiadnata ó Gleann Àlainn, OP (Midrealm)
This class will be an overview of the domestication of flax and linen through the millennia, and the evidence we have for their existence in various times and places. We will track the movement of flax across the continents and through time, showing where evidence of the existence of flax is found, and what was being left behind for us to find it.


A discussion of spinning tools
Glenna Cholmondeley (AEthelmearc)
This class will look at period spinning tools including hooked sticks, drop spindles and support spindles, when and how they were used and techniques to incorporate them in your spinning arsenal. Suitable for all levels of hand spinners, from beginners to experts. Please bring your own tools and questions.


The sheep in the meadow
Mistress Abigail Kelhoge (AEthelmearc)
Sheep breeds from the middle ages that are still around today.


Recreating threads, yarns and textiles
THL Caera Fitzpatrick (AEthelmearc)
A primer in looking at textiles from the standpoint of experimental archaeology. We'll look in detail at an example of recreating an extant piece of thread from the 15th C. We will then walk through how that general process can be applied to recreating other threads, yarns, and fabrics of all construction types.


Weaving and related arts

Getting a little bit warped
Jhone Woodcote, Goodwife & Mistriss (Ealdormere)
Round table discussion of hints and tips for designing and winding a warp for any project on any loom. Let's chat while we work. Set your camera to see your warping board and your hands working. Bring your ideas and your questions, and whatever yarns you are thinking of using for your next project.


Bands, bands, bands
Mistress Phiala O'Ceallaigh (AEthelmearc)
What evidence is there for band-weaving in SCA period, besides tablet weaving? Not as much as we'd like, but let's take a look. I'll share what I've found in art and archaeology, along with a brief overview of technology and technique. Please bring your own favorite finds and references to share.


Passementerie
HL AElfswyth the Gyldenfeax (An Tir)
What exactly is passementerie? The term encompasses many different decorative techniques, including fringe and tassels. Join me for an introduction and overview of some of them. We will conclude with a brief demo of several that can be made on an inkle loom.


Embellishments

Back stitch-left handed style
Baroness Antoinette DeLorraine (AEthelmearc)
Left handed or interested in how to teach someone left handed how to do a back stitch embroidery stitch? This is the class for you.


Fringed and patterned: Decorative elements in Romano-Coptic nalbound socks
Magistra Sigrid Briansdotter
Decorative elements in Romano-Coptic nalbound socks.


Let's talk about pretty colours!
Baroness Lucia de Moranza (Ealdormere)
A round table conversation about natural dyes. Bring your current projects, your questions, your thoughts, your potential projects. Pigment folks also welcome!


Period Texts: How to make our scrolls more gooder
Caleb Reynolds
How to use period texts to improve our scrolls.


Application of metallic leaf to fabric: History and how-to
THL Oribe Tsukime (AEthelmearc)
The oldest collection of extant textiles in Japan includes examples of fabric decorated with metallic leaf dating from the 700s. See multiple historical examples and learn how to apply metallic leaf to fabric yourself using either authentic methods and materials or inexpensive but convincing modern substitutes.


Introduction to natural dyeing
THL Oribe Tsukime (AEthelmearc)
An introduction to natural dyeing for beginners. If you have some dye stuff on hand (like turmeric or tea), you can follow along and dye fabric at home during the workshop


History and Research

Research method and theory in the SCA
Lord Cassiano da Castello (AEthelmearc)
This class aims to help both new and experienced researchers by demonstrating different perspectives to use when fleshing out background research and evaluating new projects.


The history of dolls
THL Marrin O'Cadhla (AEthelmearc)
A presentation of dolls from ancient times though the 16th century.


Bonus!

Sprang

The Historic Textiles FB group is sponsoring a talk on sprang:
"This week we are going to have a talk with the talented Linnea Skog. She will give us a talk about sprang, this mysterious and beautiful textile technique."

If all goes well, we will stream this at noon.