10.30am to 4.30pm

Spinning workshop

The course

This is the first of two interlinked days - please see the 'Spinning: an introduction to the wheel day'. Both courses can be booked separately and run twice a year.
Preparation and the drop spindle:
Characteristics of wool and breed
Selecting and judging the quality of a fleece
Preparing for spinning
Spinning using a drop spindle

The tutor

Steve Kennett is a regular demonstrator and volunteer at the museum, where he is also involved in researching Tudor knitted hose and spinning wool for the Interpretation team. He learned to spin some thirty years ago, taught by Dorothy Wilmshurst who had studied with Ethel Mairet at Ditchling in the 1930’s. Steve is a is a member of the General Purposes Committee of the Association of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers, and tutor at the Association’s Summer School. He is a member of the Online and Wealden Guilds.

Participant information

Equipment will be provided but if you have a drop spindle and carders do bring them along. 

Fee

£45 per person per day to include tuition, teas and coffees.
The Museum café will be open or you may like to bring a packed lunch.

The Museum

The Weald & Downland Open Air Museum has over 45 historic building exhibits.  It is also home to the award winning and innovative Downland Gridshell, which houses a conservation workshop and artefact store, and is also used for many practical courses.  The Museum runs a full programme of courses in historic building conservation and traditional rural trades and crafts, along with MSc programmes in Building Conservation and Timber Building Conservation. Please telephone for further details.

To book, download a form here. Alternatively, fill in the booking request below.

Make a Booking Request

 
This is an initial booking request form, and does not guarantee a place on the course. The Adult Learning Team will check the availability of the course, and reply to you as soon as possible - usually within one working day.