display of fibre arts tools

Medieval Threads

A celebration of the Fibre Arts and Textiles!

August 24, 2024

Please contact our Classes Coordinator - Mistress Fionna Goodburne MacNicol - if you would like to teach a class.

Last year, we had a fiber petting zoo, a display with many kinds of fiber both processed and not, for you to examine. This year we will have a fiber tools petting zoo with a number of fiber tools for you to examine and admire.

Also returning this year is our craft supply swap meet. Bring the extra craft supplies that have been taking up valuable room in your craft area. Don't need that extra yarn from that sweater? Decided you really aren't cut out to be a bobbin lace maker? Never even opened that book on Victorian Needlepoint that your Aunt Joan gave you for Christmas 25 years ago? Bring with you! You never know who might need it. And you might find some treasures to take home with you.

Gate opens: 9am

Classes begin: 10am

Lunch Tavern opens: Noon

Classes end: 4pm

Tea: 4:30pm

Site closes: 6pm

401 W Grand River Ave, Howell MI 48843

The entire campus (including parking lot) is Bone Dry - no alcohol allowed on the premises.
The entire campus (including parking lot) is drug and tobacco-free. This includes (but is not limited to): e-Cigs, Vaping, Chaw, Hookas, etc.

Adult: $25

Adult SCA Member Discount: $15

Youth (10-17 yrs): $10

Child (0 - 9 years): Free

Following our practice of bringing to Pentamere events new to the area (or SCA like It Takes My Child To Raze A Village,) we invite you to Medieval Threads! As many of our members are active in the fibre arts/textiles with making decorated veils and garb for events (or as an award scroll see Baron Óláfr Ígulbjarnarson's apron,) we are looking for those willing to teach us to make better/prettier medieval garments for our events (even if it is just your basic t-tunic.)
We are also looking for fellow students to join us in learning more about the fibre arts and textiles from the Medieval period. Advanced or beginner - All are welcome!

Cost: $10.00

Menu:
Beef stew (England)
Vegetable stew (Netherlands)
Artisans breads with butter and honey
Hyprocras
Citrus water

Following Wealdlake tradition - bottomless Coffee and Tea will be available all day
with your cup $1, with our cup - $2

Before you head home - we invite you to join us for tea. So far we know tea (and coffee) will be provided.
Contributions to the tea are welcome but not required.

2024 schedule of classes

Please contact our Classes Coordinator - Mistress Fionna Goodburne MacNicol - if you would like to teach a class.
The schedule is filling up quickly so contact her soon!

The first classes will begin at 10am, with 4 classes going on at a time. Materials payments will be made to the instructors.

We have skills classes and project classes. Open the next panel for the class descriptions.

Start Time	Table 1	Table 2	Table 3	Table 4
10:00 am	Band Boxes	Making a Birgitta's Cap	Beginning Netting
11:00 am	Band Boxes continues	Birgitta's Cap continues	Shinrone Gown	Dorset Buttons
Noon	Band Boxes continues	Birgitta's Cap continues
12:30 pm	Lunch
1:00 pm	Rigid Heddle Weaving for Absolute Beginners	Slate Frame Embroidery	Twining - String from Plants
2:00 pm	Rigid Heddle Weaving continues	Slate Frame Embroidery continues	Twining continues	All Thumbs Guide to Beginner Hand Sewing
3:00 pm	Rigid Heddle Weaving continues	Slate Frame Embroidery continues	Intro to Drop Spinning	Sumptuary Laws of 16th Century England
4:00 pm	Classes End

Project classes

3+ hour classes where the student will have time to work on a project under the tutelage of the instructor.

Band Boxes

Description of Class: Make a paper band box for storing small items.
Length of Class: 3 hours
Instructor's SCA Name:
Instructor's Mundane Name:Donna McMullen Burns
Maximum Number of Students:6
Expected Skill Level of Student: Beginner
Student Cost of Materials: $10
Student Expected to Provide:Paper Scissors, ruler, if available
Instructor to Provide:Paper, poster board, glue, tape, handout

Slate Frame Embroidery

Description of Class: In class, you will set up a slate frame for embroidery (attach the fabric in the frame), prick and pounce a design on your fabric, and start embroidery.
Length of Class: 3 hours
Instructor's SCA Name:Anthoinette de Martel
Instructor's Mundane Name:Antoinette Martell
Maximum Number of Students:6
Expected Skill Level of Student:Any, the ability to sew with a needle and thread will be handy
Student Cost of Materials: $10
Student Expected to Provide:Enthusiasm
Instructor to Provide:Slate frame, small embroidery kit, ground fabric, prick and pounce materials, all for students to keep.

Rigid Heddle Weaving for Absolute Beginners

Description of Class:Learn the ins and outs of rigid heddle weaving This class is designed for complete beginners who want to learn the basics of using a rigid heddle.
Length of Class: 3 Hour
Instructor's SCA Name: Alys of Alnwick
Instructor's Mundane Name:Jayme Lipscomb
Maximum Number of Students:10
Expected Skill Level of Student: Beginner
Student Cost of Materials:$10
Student Expected to Provide:A willingness to explore weaving using a rigid heddle
Instructor to Provide:Everything else (rigid heddle basic loom, yarn, pattern)

Making a Birgitta's Cap

Description of Class:We will spend the class hand sewing your own linen Brigetta cap. You will leave with a pattern you can use for making more of these practical, easy to wear, and comfortable caps.
Length of Class: 3 Hour
Instructor’s SCA Name: Artemisia Lacebrayder and Catherine Aimée Le Moynel
Instructor’s Mundane Name:Artie Martin and Aimée Moran
Maximum Number of Students:10
Expected Skill Level of Student:Knowledge of how to thread a needle, running stitch, back stitch. We will demo assembly stitches used on the caps.
Student Cost of Materials: $0
Student Expected to Provide: Nothing
Instructor to Provide:Kit with pattern, precut fabric, pins, needle, thread, thread clips

1 Hour Classes

Dorset Buttons

Description of Class: Learn how to make Dorset buttons, a thread button dating to the late Elizabethan era.
Length of Class: 1 Hour
Instructor's SCA Name:Fionna Goodburne MacNichol
Instructor's Mundane Name:Karen Goodburnea
Maximum Number of Students:8
Expected Skill Level of Student: Beginner
Student Cost of Materials: $5
Student Expected to Provide:Scissors
Instructor to Provide:Rings, thread, handouts

Sumptuary Laws of 16th Century England

Description of Class:A look at who was allowed to wear what, from furs to velvet, and consequences of breaking the laws
Length of Class: 1 Hour
Instructor's SCA Name: Laurensa Silverlock
Instructor's Mundane Name:Dianne Read Stuckey
Maximum Number of Students: 10
Expected Skill Level of Student:All welcome
Student Cost of Materials: $0
Student Expected to Provide:
Instructor to Provide: Information

Shinrone Gown

Description of Class:In 1843 a gown was extracted from a bog near the town of Shinrone, in the County Tipperary, Ireland. This dress is believed to date near the early 1600s. This dress has brought many speculations about its use and design. This class will look at the various speculations, including some of my own, and talk in detail about the dress's construction.
Length of Class: 1 Hour
Instructor's SCA Name:Morgaine nicFhrannsaidh
Instructor's Mundane Name:Theresa Catalano-Reinhardt
Maximum Number of Students: 10
Expected Skill Level of Student:
Student Cost of Materials: $0
Student Expected to Provide:
Instructor to Provide:Handout

Beginning Netting

Description of Class:101 level class on netting, providing the skill and supplies to finish a netted bag.
Length of Class: 1 Hour
Instructor's SCA Name: Morwen Spinner
Instructor's Mundane Name: Josie Dykstra
Maximum Number of Students: 5
Expected Skill Level of Student: Beginner
Student Cost of Materials:$5
Student Expected to Provide:Scissors
Instructor to Provide:String, gauge, netting shuttle, handouts

Intro to Drop Spinning

Description of Class:Students will learn how to spin using a high whorl drop spindle. Time permitting there will be a small variety of wools to try.
Length of Class: 1 Hour
Instructor's SCA Name:Artemisia Lacebrayder and Catherine of Deva
Instructor's Mundane Name: Artie Martin and Cathy Haynes
Maximum Number of Students: 12
Expected Skill Level of Student: Beginner
Student Cost of Materials: $0
Student Expected to Provide:
Instructor to Provide:Drop spindle, wool

Twining- String from Plants

Description of Class:101 level class on making string/ cordage from common plants, along with a discussion on what to look for in fiber plants.
Length of Class: 1 Hour
Instructor's SCA Name:Morwen Spinner
Instructor's Mundane Name:Josie Dykstra
Maximum Number of Students:10
Expected Skill Level of Student: Beginner
Student Cost of Materials : $0
Student Expected to Provide:
Instructor to Provide:Daylily leaves, handouts

All Thumbs Guide to Beginner Hand Sewing

Description of Class:Even if you’ve never held a needle before, this class will show you the basics of hand sewing. From needles to thread to five stitches to sewing on buttons you will get the basics you need to start sewing. Includes materials for the class and a link to an 18 page, step-by-step handout, and video.
Length of Class: 1 Hour
Instructor's SCA Name:Gwynnyd of York
Instructor's Mundane Name: Carol Lynn
Maximum Number of Students: 6
Expected Skill Level of Student: Beginner
Student Cost of Materials: $0
Student Expected to Provide:
Instructor to Provide: Handout/video link, cloth, needles, thread, scissors, wax, needle threaders. Some stuff you can take home. Some stuff I’ll take back.