Handspun, Handwoven

An amazing garage sale find last weekend is another  piece of handspun, handwoven  fabric piece about 2 yards long, 27″ wide, in a straight twill.   It is a little yellowed with age, and I say that because I believe it was probably woven sometime between 1920 and 1950.  I now have about 20 yards of this type of fabric – what to do with it?

This remnant is a fairly typical piece of Doukobor textile used for either clothing (skirts, trousers, work shirts), or light coverlets with embroidered and crocheted edging attached.  One of my previous finds was a lovely piece of crocheted edging.     The handspun yarn is a very tightly spun 2 ply and has slightly coarse hand.   It was sett at approx 44 epi  and woven at  around at 36-40 ppi.     Long pieces of yardage were woven and piece dyed  or left  the natural colour depending on the end use.

Dorothy Burnham’s books have descriptions and photos of Doukobor fabrics.

Unlike The Lilies, Doukhobor Textile Traditions in Canada

The Comfortable Arts: Traditional Spinning and Weaving in Canada

Keep Me Warm One Night, Early Handweaving in Eastern Canada