I am a student of textile conservation and fabric and fibre enthusiast. I have an MA in Principles of Conservation, awarded by University College London, and am currently working my way through an MPhil in Textile Conservation at the University of Glasgow.
My love for textiles takes me down some strange crafty paths, and I have explored different techniques in yarn making, dyeing, weaving, needle crafts, sewing, lace, and printing, and am excited to continue learning new skills. I have a particular interest in the slightly more obscure historical and archaeological techniques, although I do love designing and knitting modern and wearable clothing.
Hopefully you’ll find the mix of conservation, material history, textile techniques, museology, art, design, and hand crafts presented here engaging.
I was born and raised in the US, although I currently reside in the UK. Please forgive my occasional switch between American and British spelling and terminology. It’s just as confusing for me!
For more information on the University of Glasgow Centre for Textile Conservation (CTC), please go here: http://textileconservation.academicblogs.co.uk/
My previous blog, focusing on homesteading, sustainability, and crafts, can be found here: http://paradisecityhomestead.blogspot.co.uk/
Hello, I’m a fellow at the RISD Museum, an art museum in Providence, RI. I’m starting a 2 year research project on cotton textiles and thought I’d try growing cotton at my home. I’m an avid gardener but I’ve always thought of cotton as a southern crop. I know that you left New England a few years ago but I’ve been fascinated by your blog. Do you have any recommendations for where to purchase cotton seeds/seedlings that are hardy enough to grow in New England? Or is there a type of cotton that grows best here? Thank you!
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Hi there Elon. I got my seeds from Southern Exposure
(https://www.southernexposure.com/). They have good information on a lot of their cotton seed varieties. You definitely want to start them inside. The main issue is the length of the growing season. If you have access to a hoop house or green house of some sort to start them, that’s a good idea! I just used a sunny window. I think i used plastic water bottle cloches after i planted them out when I was nervous about cold weather in the spring. I bet Providence has a little bit of a milder winter than where I was, so you should be fine!
Hope that helps! That sounds like an interesting project for sure. I’m actually back in New England, and hoping to experiment with more plants for fibers. Been doing a bit of work on native plants, so hopefully I will have time to update!
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