Spinning and Weaving
in New Zealand.

Sheep breeds and
their uses.

Contemporary Maori
Textile Art.

Design and Colour.

Collapse Weave

Dévoré

Yarn Order

The following are details of lectures and seminars that I present.
1½ - 2 hours each

Spinning and weaving in New Zealand.

Brief history of New Zealand weaving and spinning, including traditional and contemporary Maori weaving. Covers the development of these crafts in New Zealand, with slides of contemporary work. (slide projector and carousel required)

Sheep breeds and their uses for weavers and spinners.

Covers the main breeds of sheep, from Merino to Drysdale, with the characteristics of each breed, and suggested end uses. Different spinning methods (worsted-woollen), and size and twist count of yarns relative to each breed, will be discussed. Samples of work demonstrating the different uses of each breed will be shown and discussed. (overhead projector required).

Contemporary Maori Textile Art.

New Zealand Maori textile art is an exciting field which has developed from traditional skills. This lecture will look at these developments from the viewpoint of a New Zealand weaver and spinner. New Zealand flax is the fibre that is the mainstay of Maori textiles, which range from the practical to the sculptural. (slide projector required)

Collapse Weave. (Power Point Presentation

A brief summary of what makes pleated and puckered fabrics, on 4 and 8 shaft looms, with samples to handle and discuss. Various yarns will be analyzed for the effect they would have in such weaves, and finishing methods that achieve the best results will be covered. (Electric kettle for steaming samples yarns, extension cord and power source, Laptop, data projector and screen, all required)

Dévoré for Weavers and knitters (Power Point presentation)

Dévoré is a technique we are familiar with when it is applied to velvet cloth. With handwoven and machine or hand knitted cloth made of both cellulose and other yarns, the cellulose content is dissolved in places leaving some transparent areas. Designs are made by stencils. Finished articles will be handled and discussed. Handouts describing the process will be given out. Laptop, data projector and screen all required.

For a three hour seminar, an actual sample will be made. For this I would require an iron, access to power, (perhaps an extension cord), and ironing board, bucket of cold water and an old towel.

Fee: Negotiable

No limit in numbers attending.