First published in 1912 by Frederick A Stokes Company.

The commercial fact that tapestries have immeasurably increased in value within the last five years, would have little interest were it not that this increase is the direct result of America's awakened appreciation of this form of art. It has come about in these latter days that tapestries are considered a necessity in the luxurious and elegant homes which are multiplying all over our land. And the enormous demand thus made on the supply, has sent the prices for rare bits into a dizzy altitude, and has made even the less perfect pieces seem scarce and desirable.

The Tapestry Book by Helen Churchill Candee — Project Gutenberg

First published in 1908 by T Fisher Unwin, Ltd, Adelphi Terrace, London. This little book has been compiled to emphasise and accentuate the distinct awakening of English women and Needlecraft Artists to the beauty of the ancient laces and embroideries which we own in the magnificent historic collections in our great public Museums.

Chats on Old Lace and Needlework by Emily Leigh Lowes — Project Gutenberg

First published in 1918 by Needlecraft Publishing Company, Augusta, Maine.

Handbook of Wool Knitting and Crochet by Anonymous — Project Gutenberg

First published in 1865 by Emily Faithfull, Printer and Publisher in Ordinary to Her Majesty.

The Bath Tatting Book by PP — Project Gutenberg

What day, what team you may well ask, it's just Sunday... no, not just any Sunday. It's June 1, 2008, the Back to Back Day and our team, the Rhodes Runners, are driving to Kurrajong Heights to spend the day. It's eight hours minimum, shearing, spinning, knitting and (knowing my team mates) lots of chatting.

I arrive at Turpentine Tree ready for the eight am. start. It was still cold and overcast with wind blowing into the marquee, but I have my Uggs and a small quilt just for such an occasion.

There will be ongoing demostrations of felting, hats, drop spindles, braiding weaving; a display from weaving classes and of card swap as well as Designer Yarn Competition of 2008 - juried and popular choice. Plus there will be traders with books, fibres, yarns, equipment, inspiration and Guild members selling their unique hand made articles.

To support you there will be a sausage sizzle and refreshments in the small hall.

Everybody welcome.

The women transported to Australia between 1804 and 1850 brought with them over 200 trades. Sometimes we are taken on journeys we don't plan. One in five Australians are related to these women who supported each other. They came through difficult times.

This method is known as grafting or Kitchener stitch.

1. clean, to minimise preparation, leaving more time for the spinning
2. open, to permit easy drafting
3. the correct length for the type of yarn, eg short for woollen, longer for worsted
4. the correct type for the project, eg Lincoln for rugs, merino for fine work

Kommaly learned the traditional techniques of Lao weaving and the use of natural dyes in her home town in the north of Laos which is known for its weft ikat, warp ikat, complex continuous supplementary weft, tapestry weaving, plain weaving and discontinuous supplementary weft. The Vietnam war forced her to move from her home in 1960 and she later trained in Thailand as a nurse. But in 1976 she started a weaving group in her home in Vientiane with 10 desperately poor women who had been displaced by the war. Thereafter she became director of a handicrafts cooperative and in 1993 established a model farm in silk production and cattle raising on 40 hectares of land in her mountainous northern province.

Governor Hunter wrote to the Duke of Portland in April 1800:

"Your Grace may be assured that I do not neglect such means as may be in my power for trying what may be done to establish the weaving of cloth. The specimens sent by this conveyance, although prepared under many disadvantages, may serve to show what may be expected as soon as we have abundance of raw materials in our power. The sheep thrive exceedingly and the specimens of woollen cloth will in some degree show the quality of fleece; the breed of sheep which produced the wool is between the Cape ram and the Bengal ewe.

There are some worthwhile prizes to win available within NSW and interstate. The Guild sponsored the Sydney Easter Show for $450 worth of prizes this year - you could take out some of this prize money next year if you start NOW!

This digital collection includes millinery, dressmaking, clothing and costume books from the UW-Madison collections. These books from the first half of the 20th century (1907 - 1940's) include the history of clothing, styles of dress, fashion drawing, and design and construction of hats, clothing and costumes. Items in this collection will appeal to vintage clothing collectors, those studying costume design, fashion, and women's history, and those who just enjoy reminiscing about days gone by.

All Sewn Up: Millinery, Dressmaking, Clothing and Costume — University of Wisconsin Digital Collection