1. Writing Materials. Writing pens were made out of quills and ink was made out of the berries of the alder tree. Dying. dying was also made out of the berries of the alder tree. Spinning. The wool of the sheeps back was carded and spun on a spinning wheel, the thread was used for knitting socks and stockings, and it was woven into flannel. Weaving. In every village there was a weaver who used a hand loom for converting thread into flannel. Dye-making. The house wife dyed her own flannel whatever colours she wished for petticoats she dyed them red and for quilts green. Frieze. This was made from the wool of the black sheep handmade into heavy coats for the men of the family. Candles. These were made of rushes, pealed and dipped in tallow. Got from, Mr. C Eccles, Dunlo St, Ballinasloe.Carolann MaddenAnneAnaithnidAnneAnaithnidAbbiAbbi