I thought I would share here that I started a new discussion group on Facebook for Viking Era fibre arts. This group is a place to research, explore, and share projects pertaining to historical fiber arts, textiles, and experimental archaeology. Focus is on craft of the Vikings, but other cultures that had influence on the Vikings and their work are also welcome (Saxon, Merovingian, Finnish, etc.)
Every aspect of these arts are welcome on this forum, from the history of sheep, to fiber tools, fiber processing, spinning, weaving, dyeing, naalbinding and embroidery! Please share your thoughts, ideas, research and works-in-progress!
You can reach the page by clicking the image below. Please join us :-)
Every aspect of these arts are welcome on this forum, from the history of sheep, to fiber tools, fiber processing, spinning, weaving, dyeing, naalbinding and embroidery! Please share your thoughts, ideas, research and works-in-progress!
You can reach the page by clicking the image below. Please join us :-)
I also have a few projects that are coming along nicely. I have discovered that I very much am enjoying spinning flax. This week I finished spinning some 2-ply sewing thread from flax. It is a bit less than a millimeter in diameter and I am now using it to sewn a Dublin cap from linen fabric.
In addition to using the handspun thread for this project, I am also employing more period sewing techniques than I typically have been using. The hems are only 5mm wide, and rather than hemming with running stitches (which i can do quick, while still being very neat and even by using a very long, fine modern needle) I am using a hem stitch as was more common on these caps. I am trying to keep it to 4 stitches per 10mm and having them no more than 2mm long. I just might go blind doing this, but it seems to be working out well (even if progression is slow and the stitches are not as even as I would prefer).
In addition to using the handspun thread for this project, I am also employing more period sewing techniques than I typically have been using. The hems are only 5mm wide, and rather than hemming with running stitches (which i can do quick, while still being very neat and even by using a very long, fine modern needle) I am using a hem stitch as was more common on these caps. I am trying to keep it to 4 stitches per 10mm and having them no more than 2mm long. I just might go blind doing this, but it seems to be working out well (even if progression is slow and the stitches are not as even as I would prefer).
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