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. Due to equipment constraints, I am limited to ten students. 2 hours $15 - Dye and Fabric. Wear something you don't mind staining.
Kachin-zome: 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.
Indigo Stencil Rubbing (Surizome) 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.
Premodern Japanese Textiles & Textile Patterns Solveig Thrandardottir, AEthelmearc An historical introduction to fabrics, colors, and textile patterns in premodern Japan. Including an overview of how fabrics reflected kinship, rank, office, and other socio-political attributes of the wearer. 1 hour No materials. There may be a handout which may cost as much as $2.00.
Rank, Title, Office, and Costume in Premodern Japan Solveig Thrandardottir, AEthelmearc A brief introduction to the historical interrelation of socio-political factors with court and leisure dress in premodern Japan. 1 hour There may be a handout which may cost as much as $2.00.
Textiles from Trees THL Caera Fitzpatrick, AEthelmearc Yes, you read that right - trees. I'll be sharing my journey of harvesting, processing and using tree fiber to replicate a Bronze Age textile scrap. There's been a lot of experimenting and learning along the way with plenty more to come! Free. Bring yourself.
Flax to Linen workshop THL Caera Fitzpatrick, AEthelmearc Open time to learn/play with antique flax-processing tools and dew-retted flax to create linen ready for spinning. I will offer what knowledge I have and others are welcome to share as well. SAFETY NOTE: This involves lots and lots of very sharp iron spikes. An abundance of caution must be used at all times. Nothing, but your own tools/materials are welcome.
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 class 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 class 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
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
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 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 While no one will ever be turned away from learning, a $5 supply 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.