Meet Judith - 18th Century Spinning

In the lead up to our Heritage Crafts Weekend on 26 & 27 July, we take a moment to meet some of the traditional craftspeople that will be at the event. This time it’s the turn of a familiar face at the Museum.

“Spinning fibre into thread is one of the oldest crafts known to civilisation. Practiced for thousands of years the craft has been refined in technique, expanded to other fibres and divided for specialist results.  Spinning as a craft is still very much alive and well, with the recent addition of e-spinners, the explosion of expertise shared through the internet and the continued support of local groups like the Guilds of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers many people spin both as a hobby or commercially.

However, I take delight in spinning in the style, and using the equipment of, the Eighteenth Century in the South of England. This was a time, just before the Industrial Revolution, when spinning as a cottage industry in the UK was still a viable occupation.

I spin both wool and flax on appropriate spinning wheels, and in appropriate clothing, I demonstrate and talk about the process of both wool and flax preparation before spinning and about the use of the thread after spinning. I try to include the historical background to the introduction and development of spinning as a craft depending on the interests of my audience.”

Judith will also be giving visitors an insight into 18th Century life during the week before our Heritage Crafts Weekend. Say hello to her in Leagrave Cottage from 18 July.