“We’re surrounded by textiles but largely overlook their significance, and the efforts embodied in every scrap of fabric. Textiles created empires and powered invention. They established trade routes and drew nations’ borders. Since the first thread was spun, fabric has driven technology, business, politics, and culture. In THE FABRIC OF CIVILIZATION: How Textiles Made the World (Basic Books; November 10, 2020), Virginia Postrel traces this surprising history, exposing the hidden ways textiles have shaped civilization. She makes a convincing case that textiles have been the world’s defining c ..read more

In this episode, Meadow and Lucas explore some of the science behind modern textile technologies, including the strongest fabric in the world. We’ll also enable you to some fancy tea in this episode’s segment of the Thirsty Crafter, as well as a UK based crochet pattern designer that makes us all finally able to create our own museum. Show Notes: Lady Crafthole’s Cabinet of Curiosities Dreamstress - Bodkins ShiZen Tea Fiberglass Video Fiberglass dress from Libby Glass ..read more

As humans, we all have different cultural and individual identities that inform the way we move in the world. The archaeological record is a limitless testament to this. This can be seen with a simple closer look at the way we construct things. From our languages, to our living spaces, our places of worship, the direction that we spin, or ply our yarn, how we knit, weave, nalbind, and sew, all these methods of construction are influenced by our culture. Construction is not limited, however, to the direct act of design and creation. Our social construction dictates who frequently does these ta ..read more

When we engage in fiber arts we are creating something but we’re also participating in historic traditions tens of thousands of years old. You are not only making art for your soul and for future generations, you are embodying the work of our ancestors. Meadow Coldon 10.18.16 ..read more

In this episode, I’ll share some new knitting, spinning and pottery projects I’ve been up to, I’ll enable you to some tea, and art batts, as well as a new wine and yarn pairing. I’ll share some details about the sheep shearing school I participated in, and more! Hatshepsut colorway, Sinew & Stone Show Notes:Friends of Cedar Mesa BlueBonnet Spinning Wheels Spector Sweater The Steeping Leaf Nessaland Fibers Hatshepsut Sinew and Stone USU Sheep Shearing School Merriman Shearing School Handspun navajo churro , and romney fleece ..read more

In this episode I’ll give a brief update of what kind of work I’ve been up to, share my WIPs and FOs, we’ll talk about what in the world kombucha fabric is, and learn some interesting historical and contemporary uses of fish skin leather in Iceland. Show Notes: Edge of the Cedars State Park and Museum Hermione’s Everyday Socks Dainty Bubbles Mittens Life In the Long Grass (LITLG) Kombucha Leather Kombucha Leather Garment Prototypes Bio-coture Video Kombucha Coture Atlantic Leather Kombucha leather blouse, photo courtesy of A Verb for Keeping Warm Traditional Icelandic fish skin shoes. Pho ..read more

    In this episode, we’ll talk about the Woven Road KAL, a pattern book in the stash, a new wine and yarn pairing, and early evidence of plant fiber in the archaeological record! Oh! And how not to put a deer in your trunk. Show Notes: Pincha Shawl KAL The Woven Road Podcast Community - Facebook Group Softsweater Knits  The Lush Skein Women's Work: Reading Group Discussion Oldest Known Plant Fibers: Georgia Plant Fiber Processing and Use Wear Analysis  Stone Tool Use Wear pincha shawl in the industrial dreams colorway by sinew & stone. figurine with incised string s ..read more

Women's Work: The First 20,000 Years, by Elizabeth Wayland Barber Join in the discussion hosted in conjunction with Treehouse Knits on Facebook or use the summaries and prompts in your own reading groups! Some interesting points made by readers are included in italics. Introduction and Chapter 1: Chapter 1 gave us a great introduction to the process of turning fiber into usable fabric. If you've never spun or wove, you now understand the general principles and tools. Chapter 1 also started to make the case for why women were best suited for the job of making fabric. Below are some questi ..read more

I used to dislike knitting with variegated yarns, even though I thought they were BEAUTIFUL in the hank. I thought they looked strange as a fabric, too busy and chaotic for my taste. But the truth is, I just never knew how to use them! Some patterns were positively made for variegated yarns, and I'm so excited to begin my journey with them. And I'd love it if you wanted to join me! The Pincha Shawl pattern, designed by Pinpilan Wangsai, is perfect for crazy, colorful skeins. The short row shaping (*gasp!*, it's ok, this is why we have a supportive community!) perfectly engages with ..read more

In this episode, I’ll share what has been going on in the Textile History Reading Group, what is in the Stash, as well as an interview with the wonderful Lisa of Seawall Fibres. Show Notes: Textile History Reading Group Treehouse Knits West Knits Best Knits Knitting By The Sea Brownberry Chronicles Dyenamixx Yarns Seawall Fibres  Seawall Fibres Instagram Seawall Fibres Ravelry   ..read more