Kathryn McMahon
I have been a spinner and weaver for over a decade. This year I've added my own flock of sheep - the better to hand process my wool from sheep to the final product.
I shear my sheep (and those of neighbors too!) washing, picking, carding and spinning their fiber into yarn. The yarn is either dyed or left with its' natural color for the weaving project.
My interest in replicating the Colonial methods, led me quite naturally to purchase antique tools for the purpose of authenticity. I found along the way that I not only preserve the traditions and techniques of spinning and weaving, but the tools themselves, many of which are hundreds of years old but operate smoothly even today.
As I persued my passion for antique wheels and looms I met other like minded people who were willing to teach, impart and mentor me.
Even now I enjoy a wide circle of colleagues throughout the U.S. with whom I can share, pick brains and call upon if something about a tool eludes me.
Throughout the years, I've seen many museum collections. I quickly discovered that there isn't any place I would rather be than in a nook somewhere in a museum attic, barn or outbuilding, alone with a collection all to myself! Putting together the story behind a wheel or loom or flax brake is a bit like being a detective. It often requires searching probate records for wills and inventories looking for a connection to confirm ownership or a sale. The result of this is that I become acquainted with the person I'm researching on an almost intimate level.
I have come to realize that people of the 18th & 19th century were no different than I. They worked hard, became sad, experienced joy and sometimes disliked their in-laws. Oddly, I'm comforted by this knowledge.
It's the human aspect of the tools that fascinates me. I want to know who made them and who used them, and what kind of people they were. All in all, I love the tools and their stories - my window into Early American life.
Kathryn
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Recent museums that I've served are:
Chenango County Museum - Norwich NY
Identifying and documenting linen weaving loom, spinning wheels, flax tools,identifying NY made wheels and their makers,writing for the newsletter
Southampton Historical Museum - Southampton NY
2005 - wrote a grant proposal - Grant was awarded for 2006 - spent 12 months, part-time
East Hampton Historical Society Museum - East Hampton NY
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I would be pleased to help you with your textile tool collection!
email: earlyamericantextiletools@yahoo.com
call:631.252.5745
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Affiliations
Chair - Early American Handlooms Study Group
http://www.complex-weavers.org/
Past President: Plum Valley Artisans & Shepards Guild
http://www.plumvalleywool.blogspot.com/
Founder: Early American Textile Tool Registry
earlyamericantextiletools@yahoo.com