Mill Talk: Spinning as “Industry” presented by Zoë Lawson

Visit us online: www.charlesrivermuseum.org​. Support us by becoming a member: bit.ly/CRMIIMem
Mill Talk: Spinning as “Industry” presented by Zoë Lawson
A technical writer by day, Zoë Lawson is a spinster and public historian by vocation. She has been spinning for more than 35 years and has given numerous demonstrations at historic sites in the Boston area. An active 18th-century re-enactor, Lawson recently began to explore Medieval textile and fiber production. She enjoys experimenting with historical tools and methods and teaching spinning to anyone who wants to learn by doing.
“Spinning as ‘Industry’” is based on Lawson’s research on textiles and textile production prior to the Industrial Revolution. Even though mills as we think of them did not exist, the many stages of fabric production were organized and industrialized, within the parameters of the time period. Lawson will also discuss fiber preparation as well as the spinning process and will demonstrate spindle spinning, to remind us why the Industrial Revolution was so revolutionary.
This event will be livestreamed as part of an in-person presentation. If you would like to attend, visit
Space is limited. REGISTER HERE: www.eventbrite.com/e/mill-tal...
Proof of vaccination and face masks required.
This event accompanies the exhibit Woven Together: Weavers' Guild of Boston Celebrates a Century of Makers, running April 6 - December 31, 2022. This event is supported by the Lowell Institute and a grant from the Waltham Cultural Council.

[@abittwisted]

Flax fiber, Nettle (stinging nettle), Ramie, Hemp all have the fibers in the bark of the plant. The hard inner core is what we want to get rid of through breaking after retting. Interesting to hear about people heating the combs. Our use of hand made textiles is more hobby than trying to put clothing on the world. Im working on making my own linen shirt. After 5 years of spinning Im ready to give the loom a go for the next step in the process. I enjoyed this video.