Shaker Village wool workshop
Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, 707 Shaker Road, will be hosting an in-person workshop, “Washing, Skirting, and Preparing a Freshly-Shorn Fleece from the Shakers’ Flock,” on April 30. The workshop from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. will be held in the barnyard directly next to the Shakers’ sheep being shorn by Jeff Burchstead.
Participants of all ages and levels of experience will be taking hand-picked fleeces from the Shaker flock of sheep. Brother Arnold Hadd will provide commentary about the flock, the fleece, and the breed and personality of the sheep residing on the premises.
Learn how to skirt, clean, and wash a fleece with Betsey Leslie of Ewes to You Farm in New Gloucester. She has been hand processing fleeces for more than 35 years and has developed a process of cold-water washing that allows the lanolin to remain while the dirt washes away.
A variety of natural colors will be available and participants are welcome to share their fleece with one another to have a variety of colors and breeds of Shaker wool. Everyone will take home their own full fleece with a sample washed and the knowledge to finish the washing process at home.
To discover what items to bring and to register for the workshop, go to maineshakers.com or call 926-4597.
Portland Press Herald subscribers can access Patti Mikkelsen’s complete column at https://www.pressherald.com/2024/03/22/inside-new-gloucester-march-22/
