Fall Institute From Fleece to Fabric

The 2026 Fall Institute From Fleece to Fabric workshop, held November 6–8, 2026 at Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is one of the museum’s most comprehensive and hands-on textile arts programs. Designed for adults seeking a deep understanding of historic fiber processing, this three-day immersive class guides participants through every stage of turning raw wool into finished fabric—beginning with the sheep itself.

The workshop opens with a live sheep shearing demonstration led by Landis Valley Master Instructor Joe Schott, who introduces participants to the fundamentals of animal handling, fleece quality, and the shearing process. This opening experience provides essential context for understanding wool as a natural fiber, allowing students to appreciate its structure, properties, and potential even before it is washed or carded.

Following the shearing demonstration, participants begin the transformation process by learning how to wash and prepare raw wool. Students explore how to remove lanolin, dirt, and vegetable matter using traditional washing techniques. Once the wool is clean and dry, the workshop moves into carding, where participants use hand cards to align fibers and create workable roving. Instructor Tina Mickley, also a Master Instructor at Landis Valley, demonstrates proper carding methods and helps participants understand how fiber preparation affects spinning and weaving.

Next, students learn the art of using a drop spindle, one of the oldest and most accessible tools for spinning wool into yarn. Participants receive their own drop spindle to keep, allowing them to continue practicing and developing their spinning skills long after the workshop ends. With instructor support, students gain confidence in drafting fibers, maintaining twist, and forming consistent yarn. This stage of the workshop is particularly rewarding, as participants begin to see their earlier work culminate in a functional, beautiful product.

Once yarn is spun, the workshop introduces participants to natural dyeing, an essential part of historic textile production. Students explore traditional dye materials, colorfastness, mordants, and dyeing methods. Under supervision, participants dye their own handspun yarn, giving each student a unique fiber to incorporate into their final weaving project.

The final stage of the 2026 Fall Institute From Fleece to Fabric workshop is weaving. Using simple looms or weaving frames, participants learn how to warp, tension, and weave yarn into a small finished piece of fabric. This final step brings together the entire three-day journey: from raw fleece to washed fiber, from carding to spinning, from dyeing to weaving. By the end of the class, each participant has produced a meaningful textile sample using traditional methods practiced for centuries in Pennsylvania German communities.

Throughout the workshop, Joe Schott and Tina Mickley provide expert instruction, ensuring that students receive personalized guidance at every stage. Their extensive experience in historic fiber arts makes this workshop ideal for beginners as well as experienced fiber artists seeking deeper historical understanding.

The workshop takes place both indoors and outdoors. Participants are advised to dress in layers appropriate for changing weather conditions and wear sturdy, supportive shoes. Please bring a lunch and a water bottle each day. The class meets from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Friday, November 6, Saturday, November 7, and Sunday, November 8. On the first day, students should gather at the Landis Valley Museum Store.

Tuition for the workshop is $325, with a discounted rate of $300 for Landis Valley Associates members. All materials and equipment are provided, including the take-home drop spindle. Ages 18+ only. All sales are final, with no refunds. Proceeds from the workshop support the mission and programs of Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum.

Because this class offers an unusually comprehensive introduction to historic textile production, registration is limited to ensure high-quality instruction and individual attention. Early registration is strongly encouraged.