School: Abbeytown Convent N.S. (roll number 15043)

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1. Old Crafts

   “The following is a short account of the weaving 'industry.”

   

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   The following is an old account of the weaving industry:-
   The weaver had a hand-broom set up in a room of his
   cabin. This hand broom was a wooden construction which
   consisted, a strong oak bench, resembling a very low
   table, on which was erected a large frame about eight
   feet high and six feet in breadth, with a centre piece
   of wood from top to bottom called the "warp" while a
   piece right across from side to side served as a "weft",

   The beam was set below the weft and on the bottom of
   the frame, in a groove, was the shuttle, pedals, or treadle
   were set under the bench and connected with the works
   of frame by a wooden propeller. The weaver set in the
   upright threads on the frame, he then placed a lobbin of
   thread in the shuttle, seated himself in front of it, and
   placed afoot on each treadle - the section of his feet
   regulated the upright threads for shuttle thread.

   The weaving thus began:- he worked the "beam"
   with his hand, which pressed the threads together in
   order to keep material close. When the piece was finished
   it was ready for washing or drying. Under this process
   fine or coarse linen material could be made. Both
   the linen and woolen thread which the weaver used
   were homespun. The wool being obtained from the sheep
   and the linen from spun flax.

   

   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Topics

   1. activities
      1. economic activities
         1. trades and crafts (~4,680)
            1. spinning and weaving (~482)

   Language

   English

   Informant

   Annie Bolger

   Gender

   Female

   Address

   Carrigeenroe, Co. Roscommon