Feature Article June 19, 2002
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Heritage Textile Day a great successby Ankaret Dean It was called a Celebration of Heritage Textiles and the event at the Schoolhouse certainly lived up to its name. Held on a beautiful summer Sunday, the exhibition filled the entire building and spilled out into the grounds, where the Natural Dyeing Workshop was centred around the fire pit. Here a couple of iron pots bubbled with the dye baths of onion skins and rhubarb leaves, and the coloured skeins hung on the line for all to see.
Inside the building, the displays spread throughout the four rooms. Even the entrance hall held a display cabinet containing small interesting items found a the box originally sent from New Brunswick, in 1935, and never unpacked until 2001!
The spinning exhibit was in the hall, where several old interesting spinning wheels were arranged; and where Mona Stopford and Hedy Muysson were demonstrating spinning. Another corner held the flax equipment and large box of unprepared flax stalks. Here, Ellen Good demonstrated the processes that were necessary before the flax was ready to be spun. Yet another corner had a beautiful arrangement of two heritage overshot coverlets, and two hand-woven blankets, woven here in McDonalds Corners. Marion Starr, from Perth, viewed the two new cases containing the old pieces of weaving equipment, and commented that it was a wonderfully professional display.
The newly renovated weaving studio, on the schoolhouse porch, contained the two heritage looms and assorted weaving equipment donated to the project. One loom was set up to weave a warp face fabric based on an original weaving from the heritage weaver Mr. McNab, in Perth. The other loom was being threaded with a cotton warp originally wound onto the back beam in 1934! Tea and home-baked goodies were served in the kitchen caf and more weaving displays and information filled the remaining room.
The co-ordinator of the celebration was Ellen Good who has been involved with this Trillium- sponsored project since September, organizing the studio, researching textiles and teaching weaving classes. Dorothy Burnham from Maberly, who, 30 years ago, wrote the now famous book Keep me Warm One Night, came to join in the celebration, which included many of the textiles and equipment found in her book. She commented, I am speechless with admiration. The donors of many of the pieces of equipment, and many visitors came from as far away as Ottawa, Nepean, Kingston, and Tweed. The enthusiasm for the heritage weaving, spinning and dyeing was infectious, and the volunteers estimate that over 100 people visited the Celebration.
The project to develop a Heritage Weaving production line is encouraging. The plans to bring a successful cottage industry back to this area, which was originally founded by weavers and spinners from Scotland, are well under way. Spinning and weaving classes will re-commence in September with a special program for trainees. Please phone Ellen Good, 613 479-2659.
