This workshop has been rescheduled to Sunday 27th February.
An introduction to hand-spinning flax using a drop spindle is a full-day workshop open to everyone, with lots or no experience of spinning textiles. It comes as part of Christine Borland's Flax Turns project, which explores the history of Huntly's flax and linen industry. The artists involved – Christine, Lynne Hocking-Mennie and Daisy Williamson – are all connected through their interest in textiles but come to this project with different knowledge and skill sets. Their process of co-learning will shared in this workshop, bringing in their tutor, Cath Snape, digitally via Zoom. The workshop will also include an easy walk around Huntly collecting sticks to use as DIY distaffs! A full schedule is provided below.
About the project
Christine Borland has been working with Deveron Projects since 2019. From 2019 – 2021, FLAX explored Scotland's history of flax spinning with an aim to reclaim and share knowledge of sustainable processes that are increasingly being lost. Christine worked with over 30 people across Scotland, growing flax collectively, sharing their journey through a WhatsApp group over a number of lockdowns. Most people were growing flax for the first time. At the end of the season, Christine collected harvests from across the country, exploring the processing of flax using replica archaic tools to break, scutch and heckle it to a state ready for spinning.
In a new phase of the project, Flax Turns (2021-22), the artist continues to explore the history of flax and linen production in relation to Huntly but also it's global links to trade, this time joined by local artists Daisy Williamson and Lynne Hocking-Mennie. Christine, Lynne and Daisy will be back in residence with Deveron Projects from 13-27 February 2022, opening up their studio to share the process with audiences at various points.
Booking and accessibility info
The event is fully booked now but it is still possible to join the waitlist!
Join the Eventbrite waitlist here.
This full-day workshop with Christine Borland, Daisy Williamson, Lynne Hocking-Mennie and Cath Snape is free though places are limited. It's important to us to be able to provide this workshop free of charge but please do only book if you can come along to the full day. If you are no longer able to make the workshop please let us know so we can fill the spot. Lunch and refreshments will be provided, please let us know if you have any dietary requirements. You can contact us at info@deveron-projects.com.
We're really excited to open up Deveron Projects' new artist accommodation and workspace at Square Deal for this workshop. The course will be held at 22 ½ The Square, Huntly. The venue is located through the pend connected to Square Deal and will be well signposted. 22 ½ The Square is a fully accessible venue. The workshop will be taking place on the first floor which can be accessed via a staircase or a lift.
Schedule
10 – 10.45: The History of flax spinning and its relevance to Huntly/Scotland and an introduction to Flax Turns.
10.45 – 11.45: An overview of equipment and methods used to spin flax; discussion and demonstration of dressing distaffs; looking at the different types and how different lengths of fibre are dressed; the different styles around the world with Cath Snape
11.45 – 12.30: Local walk to collect sticks for use as distaffs
12.30 – 13.30: Lunch
13.30 – 15.30: Cath Snape (with input from Christine Borland, Daisy Williamson and Lynne Hocking-Mennie) Distaff Dressing & Flax spinning workshop
