A presentation and moderated Q&A - Attendees will learn from a farmer, mill owner and weaver what’s possible to create locally sourced and processed textiles in our own backyard. Paula, MJ and Tegan take fiber from their own sheep and local farms to create yarn and woven products from this local and growing resource. Learn from their journey how they work with sheep to create the wool we want to wear, how we take that fiber through the milling and dyeing process, and how it’s woven into designs for the home and wearable fabric.
Farmer Paula Kucera owns White Farm Barn in New Paltz, NY. Paula raises a flock of Cormo sheep from which she creates and hand dyes beautiful roving and yarns for the hand spinner and knitter. https://www.whitebarnsheepandwool.com/gallery
Mary Jeanne Packer owns Battenkill Fibers Carding and Spinning Mill. Mary Jeanne founded Battenkill Fibers in 2009 to provide value-added, custom carding and spinning services for fiber farms and makers; and to manufacture yarn and fiber products for wholesale and retail markets. The mill produces 100-150 lbs. of artisan quality natural-colored and dyed semi-worsted yarn daily using refurbished traditional milling machinery. https://battenkillfibers.com/
Tegan Frisino is a weaver of Comfortcloth Weaving, LLC that specializes in heirloom quality, hand woven products for the home, as well as yardage for the fashion and accessories industries using locally sourced and processed fiber. https://comfortclothweaving.com/