“Fibre to Fabric: Pioneer Textile Production” will be held on August 10, 11, and 12 at Barrie Township Hall in Cloyne. This exhibit will feature many old pieces of equipment used by the settlers to produce textiles from local resources. The exhibit features the growing and processing of locally grown flax to produce sewing thread, rope and linen cloth for clothing and household use. Demonstrations throughout the weekend will include “beating’ and “hackling” flax, and spinning wool and flax into yarn. The old expressions “to raise your hackles’, “dyed in the wool” and to “spin a yarn” will be more easily understood after seeing this fascinating exhibit.

Children will be able to experience weaving on a small floor loom. The exhibit is presented by MacDonalds Corners and Elphin Recreation and Arts (MERA), in partnership with the Cloyne Pioneer Museum. Items woven by the Schoolhouse Heritage Weavers will be available for sale.Admission is free. Refreshments will be available.  For further information, call Ellen Good at 613-479-2659.

(Ellen Good of  The MERA Shoolhouse Heritage Weavers demonstrating one of the many steps required to transform flax into linen yarn. Photo: David Zimmerly)