Silk Spinning with Sue Hiley Harris

We had an amazing day yesterday with Sue Hiley Harris, weaver-sculptor extraordinaire and an excellent teacher. ( http://www.suehileyharris.co.uk )Patiently and clearly she explained the entire process of silk yarn manufacture from silkworm to the finished product.  Now we all understand the differences between reeled, thrown and spun silk, and know why tussah silk is coloured (it's the oak leaves the caterpillars feed on, rather than the white mulberry leaves eaten by Bombyx caterpillars) and understand why noil silk is full of bits (the last shed skin of the caterpillar).
Sue showed us how to spin silk fibre in all its' variety - and she even examined our spinning wheels, and advised on how to optimise their performance for fine spinning.  Although there were no real beginners in the group, I think we all valued the chance to get back to basics and revisit the mechanics of "double drive", "Scotch tension", bobbin or flyer brakes.
And then spinning the silk itself!  Sue taught us how to produce a smooth yarn, analagous to the worsted woolen yarn, slub yarns, and the wonderful noil yarn spun by the long draw technique.  She also taught us how to use carders properly, and produce beautiful silk rolags.  A world of spinning in one day.
Our very grateful thanks to Sue for a wonderful day - we learnt such a lot and are determined to practise until we get it right and can produce perfectly spun silk yarn.

Bombyx mori cocoons

Poised for the long draw.....

Beautiful rolags!

Even the rubbishy bits look great!

We were also very pleased to welcome members of the Cheshire and North Cheshire Guilds, and hope to see them again in the future.

Textiles at Trefriw

A reminder to everyone about the forthcoming Textile Market at Trefriw Woollen Mills on the weekend of December 4th. & 5th. - see also Elaine's post on August 31st.

TEXTILE MARKET

Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th December, 2010 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Hand made Christmas gifts, plus materials and equipment for textile makers.

Demonstrations on Sunday morning.

Exhibitors include:- Anne Campbell, Wendolyn Docksey, Helen Melvin, Ann Hughes, Serentex, Crafty Ladies, Mandy Coates, Christine Birch, Maggie Oliver.

Trefriw Woollen Mills, Main Road, Trefriw, Conwy Valley, LL27 0NQ.

Tel: 01492 640462 www.t-w-m.co.uk

in the centre of Trefriw on the B5106 between Conwy and Betws-y-Coed

MARCHNAD TECSTILIAU

Dydd Sadwrn y 4ydd a Dydd Sul y 5ed o Rhagfyr, 2010

Anrhegion Nadolig wedi eu gwneud a llaw, a defnyddiau a chyfarpar ar gyfer gwneud tecstiliau.

Arddangosfeydd ar fore dydd Sul.

Gwaith gan:  Anne Campbell, Wendolyn Docksey, Helen Melvin, Ann Hughes, Serentex, Crafty Ladies, Mandy Coates, Christine Birch, Maggie Oliver.

Melinau Wlan Trefriw, Prif Ffordd, Trefriw, Dyffryn Conwy, LL27 0NQ

Ffon 01492 640462 www.t-w-m.co.uk

Yng nghanol Trefriw ar y B5106 rhwng Conwy a Betws-y-Coed

Tel: 01492 640462 Email: info@t-w-m.co.uk Web: t-w-m.co.ukTrefriw Woollen Mills Ltd, Main Road, Trefriw, Conwy Valley, North Wales, LL27 0NQ

Crafts at Trefriw Woollen Mills 2010

Hand spinning demonstations:-

Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m until end September

Sunday 19th September and Saturday 25th September (http://www.helfagelf.co.uk/)

Wednesdays (Wendy Docksey) throughout October 10 a.m . 5 p.m.

Felt making demonstrations with Anne Campbell:-

Tuesdays throughout October 10 a.m .- 4.30 p.m.

Rag Rug making demonstrations with Christine Birch:-

Thursdays throughout October 10 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.

Textile Market Saturday 4th December and Sunday 5th December 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.:-

Handmade Christmas gifts plus materials and equipment for textile makers.

Demonstrations on Sunday morning:- hand spinning with hand spindle and spinning wheel, rag rug making, peg loom weaving, weaving on triangular loom, aran knitting, basket making, felt making,

Exhibitors:- Anne Campbell, Gwendolyn Docksey, Helen Melvin, Christine Birch, Mandy Coates, Maggie Oliver, Ann Hughes, Serentex, Gwen Owen, Margaret Hiorns, The Crafty Ladies

Fancy Spinning Workshop with Alison Daykin

Very many thanks to Alison, who travelled all the way from South Derbyshire to teach us how to spin a great range of fancy yarns.  We were blessed with fine weather, and the countryside was looking particularly picturesque.  We had a good turnout, and were pleased to welcome visitors from several other guilds (and intrigued to see what a variety of spinning wheels they brought!).
Alison proved to be a warm and generous teacher, with infinite patience.  She taught us to spin slub yarn; spiral, knarl and knot yarn; bouclé, tuft, nep and wrapped yarn.  She also demonstrated the making of coloured, mixed rovings using a hackle - a fearsome row of spikes usually employed in the production of flax.  And if that wasn't enough, she also brought a delicious & tempting selection of dyed fibres, and copies of her book "Creative Spinning" (co-authored with Jane Deane) http://spinningandweaving.weebly.com/creative-spinning.html
We were well supplied with tea, coffee and cake, and had a most enjoyable and productive day.  Thank you very much to Bryn for all her hard work in organising the Workshop.