In my last post (Project Planning), I mentioned the projects I have in mind for my table loom and my Glimakra. But while I start on yarn selection and warp calculations, my mind is still pondering an idea that has been percolating for some time now - weaving my family tree.
This project would combine two of my favorite hobbies: weaving and genealogy. It's fascinating to research one's roots. For some people, genealogy is all about names and nationalities. But I find the cultures of my ancestral peoples even more fascinating. Maybe that's because another of my interests is traditional crafts and skills. As a fiber artist, a particular interest in culture is clothing, textiles, and how these things were made. What if I were to trace my ancestral origins through their textiles? Might that not be an interesting project?
- American: this would extend from modern times back to the early 1600s, when the first of my ancestors migrated to the New World.
- Native American: 1600s
- Irish: 1800s
- Prussia: 1400s to 1700s (I just learned about this one)
- English: 1200s to 1500s
- Norman French: 1000s to 1100s
- Viking: 700s to 900s
- Saxon: 400s to 1000s
- Celtic: prior to the Roman and Saxon invasions, all the way back to who knows when
- fibers
- weave structures
- colors
- dyes
- equipment
- How historically accurate do I want to be?
- Do I want to use authentic fibers and yarns?
- Do I want to spin the yarns myself?
- Do I want to use historically accurate equipment?
- Do I want to do the dyeing myself, with plants they would have used?
- Do I want to weave actual period objects, such as blankets and clothing?
- Or do I just want to weave samples?
4 comments:
This would be such a fascinating project no matter how you choose to do it, Leigh. As always, I'll be cheering from the sidelines!
Leigh, I realized not all that recently that I do best with subjects when they are research project as well (thus, my series on Anglo-Saxon England was both one I enjoyed and one where the knowledge has stuck with me). This sounds like an excellent way to combine two interests.
Thanks Michelle! Right now I'm thinking about weaving samples that I could use to make books as gifts for my kids. Something with interesting and pertinent facts that would become family keepsakes. We'll see!
TB, I do love a good research project, especially if it's relevant to me in some way. I think this one will be both motivating and fun. :)
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