*SPINNING & FIBERS*

FIBERS FOR SPINNING

Fibers used for spinning in America are listed below:

 FIBER TYPE & SOURCE  FABRIC / USE  CHARACTERISTICS
 Flax plant  linen
  •  durable due to long fibers
  • will not shrink
 Sheep's wool  wool
  •  durable, warm, fire resistant
  • easy to dye
  • continues to shrink with use and water
 Cotton plant  cotton
  •  soft, comfortable easily dyed
 Hemp plant  hemp rope and sacks, some fabric
  •  processed like flax
 Silk (uncommon in America)  silk
  •  very soft
  • easy to dye

SPINNING PROCESS

To prepare for the making of fabric, fibers are twisted to make yarn. The simplest method uses fibers held between the fingers which are spun on a drop spindle; this method was used through the 1700's. Spindle type wheels were introduced from the Orient to Europe in the middle ages.

The process shown below uses flax and a flyer-type spinning wheel.

   
This spinning wheel is a flyer-type spinning wheel.    The spinster uses a foot pedal to move the flywheel. A string connected to the pedal pulls the flywheel on its circular path.
 
 The fiber passed through a groove on the tip of the spindle which held it while the person spinning the fiber drew out the yarn.    Yarn was wound into loose skeins and measured using a variety of tools. After dying, the yarn was ready for weaving.

 Planting & Harvesting - The Past   Flax Process  Spinning & Fibers Planting Grain - Early Methods
 Harvesting Grain - Early Methods  Oliver Evans  Transporting Grain in the Past  Early Farm Tools