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.

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   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