Waulking the Cloth with Norman Kennedy (Workshop)

Cosponsored by FSGW & Potomac Craftsmen, Inc. Waulking -- or fulling -- newly woven woolen cloth to shrink it to a tight weave is a wet, physically demanding community activity traditional in the remote areas of Scotland, particularly the Hebrides. The rhythmic pounding of the soaking-wet cloth against a table, while moving the length of fabric from one person to the next, has traditionally been done to the accompaniment of songs and ballads -- music that keeps the cloth moving and helps the demanding work go more quickly. Thanks to the Potomac Craftsmen, whose weavers are supplying the handwoven cloth to be shrunk, we will have an opportunity to learnfirsthand about waulking from Norman Kennedy, who combines his gifts as a master weaver with his talents as a singer in this special workshop.