Textiles are woven into every aspect of our lives, from the clothes we wear to our bedding, carpets, and towels. Humans depend on their warmth and comfort as well as their use in decorative self-expression. As early as the 1740s, farmers in the Greenbrier Valley would raise sheep for wool and sow flax for linens. People were much more dependent on spinning and weaving their own cloth, and children were taught these skills from an early age. At the Greenbrier Historical Society we appreciate and value the processes of historic textile production and want to share them with classes this spring. Teachers of any grade can sign up to receive a box filled with weaving and spinning kits. Teachers and students can follow along to videos of former GHS Education Director, Toni Ogden, demonstrating different fiber arts skills below.
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A Note from Program Leader - Toni Ogden
Thank you for sharing our From Thread to Cloth educational program with your students. In addition to the tutorial videos and resources on our website, I am available at your convenience to go over any parts of these two fiber arts projects. We can schedule a Zoom call or Google chat virtually, or you are always welcome to schedule a visit to the North House Museum.
Students can keep all of the materials they receive in their spinning and weaving kits. Spinning sticks, warps and weaving materials can be re-used for future creations! We would love for you to share your students creations with us on our Facebook and Instagram pages using the #GHSFromThreadToCloth!
Students can keep all of the materials they receive in their spinning and weaving kits. Spinning sticks, warps and weaving materials can be re-used for future creations! We would love for you to share your students creations with us on our Facebook and Instagram pages using the #GHSFromThreadToCloth!
Introduction to Textiles
In this video students will get an introduction about fibers, textiles, and textile production from former GHS Education Director, Toni Ogden.
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A Brief History of Regional Textile Production and Examining Fibers
In this video students will get an overview of regional textile production, including what textiles were being created, who helped create them, and what fibers they were being made out of.
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Preparing and Carding Wool
In this video, students will learn about processing and carding wool, a common fiber used historically in the Greenbrier Valley. Toni Ogden will demonstrate the process of carding wool manually.
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Spinning
Hand Spindle
In this video, students will learn about the first spinning devices, hand or drop spindles. Toni Ogden will demonstrate how to spin with a hand spindle.
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Great Wheel
In this video, students will learn about the next innovation in spinning, the spinning wheel. Toni Ogden will demonstrate how to spin with this Great Wheel or Walking Wheel.
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Flax Wheel
In this video, students will learn about another type of spinning wheel, the Flax Wheel. Toni Ogden will demonstrate how to spin with the Flax Wheel.
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Spinning Kit
The spinning kit includes spinning sticks and multi-colored fleece that students can spin into their own two-colored yarn. Students will create their own yarn that can be used for projects, crafts, bookmarks, and more.
Weaving on the Floor Loom
In this video, students will learn about the Floor Loom. Toni Ogden will demonstrate how to weave on a Floor Loom.
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Weaving Kit
The weaving kit includes pre-warped cardboard looms that allow students to weave with colorful wool yarns. Students will create a textile to be proud of while developing hand/eye coordination and reasoning skills.
Resources
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The Greenbrier Historical Society offers links to a variety of sites maintained by third parties. In accessing these sites, you are leaving the Greenbrier Historical Society's website. These links are offered only for use at your own discretion.
