The Textile History Forum was an amazing event.
This year’s Forum surpassed our greatest expectations. I know that that sounds very cliche but there are no better ways to express how grateful we feel for the time well spent. Seventy five people, all with an interest in textiles came together to network with each other; sharing knowledge, good food and a waulking of woolen cloth in a joyously beautiful Vermont setting.
And from this we have forged ahead with plans for the future.
When I began the Textile History Forum in 1998, I did it with the hope that we could present academic papers in a relaxed and sharing way. It has always been the goal to have the Proceedings published and available the day of the Forum and that each Textile History Forum would include diverse current research in all aspects of Textile History.
Now it’s time to expand on the Forum’s mission to include academic papers one year, and hands-on textile technology sessions on alternate years.
2019 July 26th, 27th and 28th Textile Technology: Coverlets. Carpets and Weavers’ Drafts
The evaluation forms indicated that folks would love a truly hands-on set of sessions next July and to that end we are planning on a Forum of activity without formal papers. Textile technology is a very broad field and we are planning to have sessions that involve demonstrations and hands-on workshops on several aspects of weaving and spinning technology.
We are putting out a call for presenters who are involved with any aspect of textile technology and who want to share their knowledge in a hands-on session.
One of the sessions will be on figuring technology for coverlets. I have an ingrain carpet head and Kate has a hand Grosse Jacquard head that we can use to explore the development of figuring technology side by side with our extensive collections of coverlets.
19th century spinning technology, especially the development of patent heads and multiple spindle equipment will also be a part of the Forum’s technology sessions next July.
Proceedings of the Textile History Forum For Sale
The Proceedings are available for those who didn’t attend or for anyone who would like additional copies. $35.00 includes mailing fees.
Lastly, the Forum has a domain of its own now. TextileHIstoryForum.com. It still gets you to the Thistle Hill Weavers website, but more directly I hope.
Please plan on joining the fun next July and pass it on. We look forward to seeing you then.
