Class Academy | 10:00 AM
Inkle Weaving 101
New to weaving? Have an inkle loom sitting around, but you aren't sure how to thread it up? This is the class for you! Students will explore the best methods for tying string heddles, threading the layout blocks, and stepping into the basic mechanics of throwing a beautiful inkle band.
Student Supplies & Tools:
- Students are strongly encouraged to bring their own mobile looms—whether they are inkle, card, rigid heddle, or backstrap frames.
- Bring whatever warps or threads you are most comfortable working with. Crochet cotton will also be provided by the range for class testing.
Class Academy | 12:00 PM
Baltic Weaving
Take your narrow-band crafts to the next level with a foundational introduction to the Baltic Pickup weaving method. This session outlines the mechanics of pattern execution and structural threading specific to this premium northern style.
What You Will Learn:
- How to cleanly map, interpret, and track historical pickup pattern drafting charts.
- Practical execution of the pickup manipulation steps across active structural warp lines.
- Students are highly encouraged to bring their own working loom frames along to practice the manual set-up steps live.
Historical Lecture & Dye Demo | Class Limit: No Limit
From the Wine Dark Sea - A History of Tyrian Purple
Presented by Granny Argent of Sacred Stone
This session is structured as a lecture-style class, immediately followed by an interactive dyepot demonstration. The foundational lecture will unpack the complex history behind Tyrian purple, tracing how it was traditionally extracted from murex sea snails, and exploring the deep political and social reasons why this vivid hue became universally associated with royalty and imperial power throughout antiquity.
Following the historical brief, join us at the hearth for a live dyepot demo showcasing practical alternative options for achieving gorgeous purple hues. We will experiment with accessible color choices like logwood, cochineal, and even Kool-Aid! Because murex remains one of the most costly chemical substances on earth, alternative substitutions are absolutely A-ok in the SCA!
Lecture & Hands-On | Length: 1 Hour | Student Limit: 10 | Materials Cost: Free
We are all going to dye - Ukrainian eggs!
Presented by Baroness Elspeth Mclur delarsey
This session functions as a hybrid lecture and hands-on workshop guiding students cleanly through the steps of constructing traditional Ukrainian Pysanky eggs.
Safety Note & Requirements: This is explicitly not a children's class. The dye mixtures used throughout the decoration workflow are poisonous, and the process involves active exposure to open candle flames and hot liquid wax. Because processing the intricate wax line adjustments requires steady, uniform heat sources, this workspace must be located entirely indoors away from drafts and heavy wind currents to allow safe handling of candle-lit wax applicators.
Historical Review & Lecture | Length: 2 Hours | Class Limit: No Limit | Materials Cost: $1 (for handout)
Beyond the Bull: What We Really Know About the Minoans and Mycenaeans
Presented by Sylvie la chardonnière
Step into the vibrant world of Bronze Age Aegean civilizations with a critical examination of both the archaeological evidence and its interpretation. This class explores the Minoans and Mycenaeans through their stunning frescoes, intricate figurines, and distinctive fashion, while examining how Victorian archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans' imaginative interpretations shaped (and distorted) our understanding of these ancient cultures.
We'll examine the modern understanding of what men and women probably wore in Bronze Age Crete and mainland Greece, analyze the material evidence these civilizations left behind, and discuss the pitfalls of archaeological interpretation. By the end, you'll have a grounded understanding of these fascinating Bronze Age societies.
Historical Lecture & Display
Ancient Greek Weaving on a Warp-Weighted Loom
Presented by Domina Stella da Lodi
The tapestry narratives of Ancient Greece are literally legendary. Figures like Penelope, Arachne, Circe, and the goddess Athena loom large as archetypal weavers within Greek mythology, while vivid depictions of textile production frequently decorate period pottery surviving from antiquity. However, because the organic components of the craft could not withstand the ages, our physical evidence for their tools remains scant and sparse.
Through careful modern analysis of period art, forensic archaeological data, and exceedingly rare textiles, historians have reconstructed how these ancient artisans operated warp-weighted looms. I built one of these monumental structures myself, and am absolutely delighted to share my structural triumphs and archival discoveries with you!
Please Note: I am happily a novice weaver. This lecture is focused squarely on the fascinating historical, cultural, and mythological contexts of warp-weighted systems in the classical world, alongside a functional study of the loom apparatus itself. For technical weaving execution tips, we are incredibly fortunate to have many premier master fiber experts present right here inside our glorious Barony of the Sacred Stone!