The San Bernardino County Museum

11/5/2016 - Weave and Spin at the County Museum

Event date Nov. 5, 2016

Have you ever wondered how fabric was made before there were textile factories? You can find out and even try it yourself at the San Bernardino County Museum on Saturday, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Inland Empire Handweavers Guild will show you how to spin thread and weave fabric during a special event, Weave and Spin, in conjunction with the museums exhibit of quilts and coverlets, Stitches in Time.

Automated looms for making cloth were invented in the 1800s, and heralded the start of the 19th century Industrial Revolution. Before that time, ready-made fabrics were available, but the looms were operated by hand and fabric was expensive. Most people who lived on the frontier dressed in homespun, and a spinning wheel was a common household appliance.

In Stitches in Time, visitors can see examples of coverlets woven on Jacquard looms that date from the middle 1800s. The variety of fabrics used in the quilts on exhibit demonstrate the rapid growth of the textile industry, making colorful fabrics abundant and inexpensive. The craft of handweaving was reborn as an art form in the 20th century. Today, handspun yarn and handwoven fabric are expressions of individual creativity. Museum visitors at Weave and Spin will have the opportunity to try these crafts themselves with help from members of the Handweavers Guild.

Demonstrations, hands-on learning, and the County Museums other exciting events and exhibits reflect the effort by the Board of Supervisors to achieve the Countywide Vision by celebrating arts, culture, and education in the county, creating quality of life for residents and visitors.

The San Bernardino County Museum is at 2024 Orange Tree Lane, at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $10 (adult), $8 (military or senior), $7 (student), and $5 (child aged 5 to 12). Children under five and Museum Association members are admitted free. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.sbcountymuseum.org. The museum is accessible to persons with disabilities.
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