Christina Garton


Green Dye and Death

This St. Patrick’s Day, let’s talk about the color green, specifically, the emerald-green dye put out by the Wilhelm Dye and White Lead Company.

Weaving with Tactile, Touchable Yarns

There are many reasons to love rigid-heddle looms, not the least of which is that they let you get up close and personal with the yarn.

Santa Fe International Folk Art Market

Every second weekend in July, artists and artisans from around the globe arrive in Santa Fe to take part in the International Folk Art Market (IFAM).

Marie Antoinette and Muslin Disease

Women would sometimes wear these muslin dresses in all kinds of weather—rain or shine. According to some sources, this led to an increase of respiratory illnesses dubbed “muslin disease.”

Vicuña: Fiber of Incan Royalty

If you want to try weaving with vicuña fiber you can try mixing it with a less expensive, but equally luxurious fiber in the warp such as guanaco or qiviut.

Drizzling: A Regency Rainy-Day Hobby

During the mid- to late-eighteenth century, drizzling became quite the fashion in France to carefully remove gold and silver threads from other textiles so they could be sold.

The History of Hairshirts

Hairshirts are garments made from rough animal hair (usually that of goats) worn as a top or under a shirt and against the skin so the coarse hair will rub and scratch the wearer.

The Oldest Fabric in North America

Anytime I learn about a new—or, at least, new-to-me—discovery of ancient fabric, I get excited.

Hemp and the Farm Bill

Hemp is a truly amazing plant. It grows fast, requires very little water and is easily grown without pesticides. Different parts of the plant can be used for soaps, paper, building materials, and, most importantly for us, textiles.

Woolgathering

You also see the word woolgathering, which describes the distracted action of the woolgatherer.