Western Mass Fibershed

How we work with fiber: from shearing to weaving

1: Sheering

Shearing-Removing the fleece from the sheep.

2: Skirting

Skirting-Separating low quality and unclean parts of the fleece. All that “waste” wool on the floor goes into our wool pellets.

3: To the mill

Driving the fleeces to the mill.

4a: Spinning

Green Mountain Spinnery Putney, VT. Steps to making yarn at the mill include: scouring, picking, carding, spinning, plying and steaming.

4b: Carding

4c: Drawing Out

4d: Adding Twist

4e: Steaming

4f: Pick up

Picking up the yarn and delivering to Bedfellows Blankets Shelburne Falls, MA.

7a: Weaving

Steps in weaving: warping, threading, setting the pattern chain, winding bobbins and weaving.

7b: Warping

7c: Threading

7d: Pattern Chain

7e: Woven Cloth

8: Bolts of Cloth

Bolts of cloth ready to be sewn into garments and accessories.

Do we want to mention that Draper Knitting washes our fabric?

9: Woven Blankets