Braids 2012–Maccelsfield

Today we went to Maccelsfield Silk Museums.

This is my very first British High St. Alan and I played hooky here after lunch. But before lunch this is what we got up to.

We were taken to the Paradise Mill where they still have operable Jacquard Looms. These are some of the Jacquard Cards; I love the patterns and am already inspired to use these as a starting point for some upcoming projects.

This is looking down the factory floor. There is another identical row on the other side.

Threads on the loom.

Given that most of the unskilled labour in these factories was performed by women and/or children I don’t know how they lifted these weights. I tried and only managed to slide about an inch.

These are yarn swifts. They have them hanging in bunches from the ceilings. The photos are a bit dodgy due to the light but hanging there they remind me of Sputnik.

This is a weavers table with tools, cards and thread. Reminds me a little (lots) of the mess i left behind at home.

Graphing out the design before the cards were punched.

A close up of the design. When woven this design was about the size of  50 cent piece.

I saved this cord winder for last. This Museum was worth climbing the three flights of stairs for; I took so many more images of Maccelsfield but will save them for a time when I don’t have anything else to share. bahaha!