Greetings to all weavers, dyers, tailors, spinners, and textile workers of all persuasions!
FFF XXII will be in-person, at a new site but back to our traditional weekend. We will be gathering at the Seven Mountain Scout Camp, Spring Mills, PA, on the weekend of November 15-17, 2024. This site has bunk space for travelers, and we will have the library, the silent auction, and all of the activities we love. There's more room, better lighting, and all sorts of cozy places for chatting and project time.
Please note that preregistration is required for bunk space and for the dayboard. The full event announcement has all the details. Submitting a class proposal does NOT secure you a place; please also pre-register.
We look forward to seeing you in November!
Magnifica Fede di Fiore, Autocrat
Mistress Elyse la Bref, Co-Autocrat
Mistress Phiala O'Ceallaigh, Chancellor
Katazome: Paste resist dyeing Morikawa Rei, AEthelmearc Learn katazome, Japanese rice paste resisted dyeing of fabric. This process produces patterned fabric that allows for extremely fine patterns and shaded colors. Class covers the full process, including paste making, paste laying, dyeing, and finishing. Students will dye two hemp handkerchiefs in historical motifs with natural plant dyes that they will take home. Limit 10. 2 hours. $15 - Dye and Fabric. Wear something you don't mind staining.
Kachinzome: Ink painting on silk Mistress Oribe Tsukime, AEthelmearc Learn about ink painting as a method for clothing decoration in Japan, and make your own silk wrapping cloth (furoshiki) using a combination of stenciling and hand-painting. 2 hours. $5 for the silk cloth. All materials are provided.
Aisurizome: Indigo stencil rubbing Morikawa Rei, AEthelmearc Learn surizome, a Japanese technique for patterning fabric through surface dyeing with stencils. In this class, we will use traditional indigo and kakishibu powder to ""rub dye"" traditional motifs on hemp handkerchiefs that students will keep. 1 hour. $15 - Handkerchief and Dye. Wear something you don't mind staining.
The other bast fibers (and flax) Mistress Fiadnata o Gleann Alainn, Midrealm Let's get some hands-on exposure to plant fibers besides flax: hemp, ramie, nettle and jute. (Oh, and we'll have some flax, as well, just so you can compare the fibers.) If we have time, we'll even do some drop-spinning with each of them -- bring along your favorite drop spindle, or use one of mine. 1 hour No fee. Bring a drop spindle, if you have one.
Cordage: The long and short of it Master Bedwyr Danwyn, AEthelmearc Taking short, weak fibers and twisting them together to make long, strong fibers is one of the most basic fiber skills. Once learned, it is possible to keep increasing the length and strength of a cord until one can literally moor a ship with it. Learn how to make drawstrings for trousers, sacks, purses, satchels, medallions, garment trim and lots more. This class will teach you how astonishingly fast, easy and inexpensive it is to make both utilitarian and fancy cords; and no spindle or wheel is involved. 1 hour. No fee.
Introduction to drop spindle THL Glenna Cholmondeley, AEthelmearc This class teaches how to spin on a drop spindle, which is the primary spinning tool for most of history in almost every culture. 1 hour. $5 for tools and fibers
Spinning silk THL Glenna Cholmondeley, AEthelmearc This class will teach students about spinning silk. We will explore Mawata silk (a late period japanese preparation of fiber) and silk roving. 1 hour. $5 for materials, handouts and spindles
Latvian bow looms: Warp and wear Mistress Rhiannon y bwa, AEthelmearc The Latvian bow loom is a single spring-tensioned wooden branch which acts as both warp beam and cloth beam. The ancient Latvians buried their dead and included tablet-woven narrow bands that can be made on these looms- even while chasing sheep and cows. Students will try looms on and practice walking while weaving. Please wear a belt that fits under swell of chest. 1 hour. No fee. Optional: Bring a camera or cell phone for pictures.
Introduction to naalbinding Mistress Phiala O'Ceallaigh, AEthelmearc Come learn a very old method for creating cozy items with a single needle and some yarn. We will cover basic techniques and start a tiny pouch that you can finish later. 1 hour. No fee.
Basics of hand-loop braiding Mistress Phiala O'Ceallaigh, AEthelmearc Learn the basics of Japanese hand-loop braiding, kute-uchi. It’s like fingerloop braiding, but the loops are held on the hands instead of the fingers. I learned a method from Jacqui Carey for making it much easier to keep the loops in order. 1 hour. No fee.
Russian garb math THL Zoya Dragomirova, AEthelmearc Using your measurements we will calculate the pattern pieces for a dress. Then we will cut a single dress with a set of measurements to illustrate the layout of the pieces and my method of cutting. This will be followed by an explaination of my steps for assembly. Each of these can be used as you need. 2 hours. No fee.
Hand sewing 201: History of sewing tools and where to find them currently Lady Ethne an Locha, AEthelmearc This is an intermediate class for those who are already familiar with basic tools and techniques of hand-finishing garments. We will cover choosing threads, using period tools, and making your stitches look "museum quality". 1 hour. No fee.
Fur sewing THL Agnella Iacopi, AEthelmearc Learn basic techniques for sewing with fur. 2 hours. No fee.
Ersatz ermine for the eager elite Mairghread ui Stilbheard uu Coinn, AEthelmearc Faux ermine was a period thing. Who knew??? This course will demonstrate how to construct faux or ersatz ermine from white and black rabbit furs, linen scraps, glue using scissors/razor or sharp knife. Background is included in the class handout. 1 hour. No fee.
Best buttons with Bess THLady Lisabetta de Rossi, AEthelmearc Learn some background on buttons observed in late-period European clothing & practice two styles of button construction using methods tested by Bess. 1 hour. $2 for kit.
Fabric stamping basics and measurements Lord Arne Burdensen, AEthelmearc Basic fabric stamping methods, materials, and measurement concepts. We will set up a stamping table, measure and plan the garment, learn good stamping techniques. This is a working session. 2 hours.
There's an app for that Anastasie deLamoure, AEthelmearc Historical applique, the history and a make and take project. 1 hour. $5 for sewing kit, needles, pins, scissors and a hoop.
Beading for Byzantines Lady Eudoxia Antonina, AEthelmearc The Byzantines loved adornments! From trim to beads to jewelry, even their plain garments had drip. This class will cover the basics of Byzantine dress and how and where trim and beads could be used and applied. Attendees will leave with a sample beaded Byzantine project. 2 hours. Bring an embroidery hoop if you have one.
Tent stitch 101 Baroness Antoinette Delorraine, AEthelmearc In this class you will learn tent stitch and basket weave tent stitch to complete a mini sampler. 1 hour. $5 donation is requested for needle, DMC floss, mini sampler and handout.
Embroidery thread survey HL Jerusha a'Laon, Caid A discussion of the various types of thread available commercially and resources on how to acquire them. 1 hour. $1 for optional handout.