'Follow the Thread' at Helmshore Mills Textile Museums

8th June 2011

Categories: Modern History News

On Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th June Helmshore Mills Textile Museum will be going back to basics to demonstrate that the traditional skills of the textile industry are still alive and strong in communities across the North West.

This event is organised by The Friends of Helmshore Textile Museums to enable some of the most talented craft workers in the North West to demonstrate their wonderful skills.

Starting at the very beginning of the process with alpacas grazing, to show where the wool and the animal coat fibres come from, and following the thread through hand carding, spinning on traditional spinning wheels, hand loom weaving and dying and finishing the old fashioned way. A wide range of knitters, embroiderers, beaders, patchworkers, bag makers, felters and lacemakers will show how the thread becomes the finished article.

Visitors will be able to see demonstrations, try your hand, learn how you can acquire the skills for themselves and talk to the people who can and would love to help. There will be the opportunity to buy many of the hand finished products or purchase the materials needed to have a go yourself.

During the day the carding, spinning and fulling machines will be working as usual and the award winning Museum Coffee Shop will be open. So make a day of it, there will be plenty for all the family to see and do.

Follow the Thread takes place between 11am and 5pm on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th June, and there's no extra charges on admission fees.