What is a Loomcraft School?
This question was asked at the last General Meeting. The simple explanation is that it is a week of workshops by tutors employed by the Guild, to cover any field of the textile arts, generally live-in and at a site where day students can attend. In recent years we have endeavoured to hold these every two years, alternating with an exhibition.
The first Loomcraft School was held in 1959 at Allambie House, Audley on the Port Hacking River and further schools were held there annually until l970 when the guest house was deliberately burned down rather than face the substantial costs of repairs. Most out-buildings and non-indigenous garden plants were removed as it was in the Royal National Park.
After 1970 Loomcraft moved to University of NSW for a couple of years, then various other places such as Sturt Workshops at Mittagong, School of Textiles at Strathfield TAFE and Burwood Girl's High School some of which were for day students only with accommodation or billeting arranged for country members. More recently we have had some very successful and enjoyable Loomcrafts at Hurlstone Agricultural High School at Glenfield which has live-in accommodation and is near the train line - however it must be kept in mind that educational facilities are only available during term holidays.
At the first school in 1959 looms were set up with various weaves and students wove a sample on each. Two spinning wheels were also available for use. Later schools catered for spinners as well as weavers, and by 1967 the Guild had acquired a number of looms and wheels for this purpose and a decision was made to allow these to be hired out to new members at times when they were not required for Loomcraft, seminars and workshops.
In recent times we have included such diverse topics as basket making, raffia hats, clothing, paper making, dyeing, braiding , tapestry, rug weaving, felting etc - some classes run for a day, others for 5 days. Evening discussions or entertainment are organised and suppliers of books, equipment, fibres and yarns also attend.
The traditional name of the Guild's first school in 1959 carries on, however the content has changed considerably. Part of the first Loomcraft report in the Journal reads Mr Lance Crane took on himself the unenviable task of keeping the school to time-table and the students to attention when Miss Jessica Booth was ready. Without his bell and whistle it would have been impossible to complete the ambitious program arranged for the school.