The TRC Intensive Textile Course, October 2011.

Between 13-17 May 2013, and again between 14-18 October, the TRC is again running its successful five-day intensive course on textiles. It is being taught in English by Dr Gillian Vogelsang-Eastwood, textile and dress historian and director of the TRC. The course is a mixture of theoretical and practical elements, with an emphasis on trying out the various techniques of textile production (spinning, dyeing, weaving), on holding and examining fibres, textiles and finished items, all in order to learn and understand what is happening and why various combinations take place. The aim is to make textiles less ‘frightening’ and allow people to look at a textile, from virtually any historical period or culture, and be able to understand it. A personal impression of the course by one of the students who attended this course in October 2011 can be read here.

Fees for the full course, including the use of materials, are € 500. Those who want to attend the May 2013 course, please contact the TRC.

Course content:

Day 1: Fibre identification

Theory: Introduction to the different types of textile fibres (plant, animal, fur, mineral, artificial, and synthetic).

Practical: Basic fibre identification using senses, burning, staining and microscopic techniques.

Day 2: Spinning and yarns

Theory: Preparation and spinning of main types of natural fibres; the basic spinning techniques: hand spinning; wheel (spindle, spinning); machine spinning.

Practical: Hand spinning and wheel spinning; identification of the main types of spun yarns.

Day 2 (late afternoon): Dyes and dyeing:

Theory: Introduction to the main types of plant, animal, mineral, synthetic dyes and dyeing techniques.

Day 3: Weaves and weaving

Theory: Introduction tothe main types of hand and machine looms (flat, vertical, backstrap, treddle, warp-weighted, draw, jacquard, etc; introduction to the main types of weaves and finishes).

Practical: Identification of the main types of weaves; drawing a simple weave graph; working with different types of simple looms to reconstruct the weaves just looked at.

Day 4 (morning): Weaves and weaving (cont.)

Day 4 (afternoon): Non-woven materials

Theory: Introduction to the main forms of non-woven materials: leather,felt, knitted, crochet, braids, laces, etc.

Practical: Identification of the basic non-woven forms; basic felt making.

Day 5: Decorative techniques

Theory: Introduction to the main forms of decorative techniques:(a) printed (batik, block, plate, roller, screen; computer); (b) applied (appliqué; embroidery; braids, bands and tassels; sequins, spangles, beads; etc).

Practical: Identification of the basic forms of decoration.

Summary

• Dates: 13-17 May 2013, and 14-18 October 2013
• Time: 09.00 - 16.30, incl. lunch and coffee breaks.
• Max. number of participants: 8
• Course language: English
• Costs: €500 (half of which to be transferred in advance)
• Provided: Equipment, samples, handouts, tea and coffee
• Not provided: lunches
• Location: TRC, Hogewoerd 164, 2311 HW Leiden, The Netherlands
• Registration: please send an email to the TRC: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . We will contact you with further details.
• For further information: Textile Research Centre, Hogewoerd 164, 2311 HW Leiden, The Netherlands. Tel. +31 (0)71 5134144 / +31 (0)6 28830428;  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it