Something woollen, something spun ...

Press, 9 July 1986, Page 18

Something woollen, something spun ...

By

LEE MATTHEWS

If unravelled, the handspun Merino yarn in a wedding dress ensemble! made by two Christchurch woman would stretch 24 kilometres. Unravelling 915 hours of work, however, is not something Margaret Stove

and Doreen Fraser are contemplating. The dress recently won a special prize for excellence in design and craftsmanship at the Wool Board’s fashion awards. Doreen Fraser said making a fine wool wedding dress was "a silly

idea” the pair had had for years.

Both have daughters “about the right age and size” for the dress, so they hope it will be used and not stuck in a dusty display cabinet

The ensemble is three pieces. The simple,

sleeveless dress is of material hand woven by Doreen. Over the dress goes a knitted coat, designed and knitted by Magaret It has a knitted lace edge with a rata flower motif and other panels in the coat were inspired by Maori art. The knitted, elbow length veil has the same rata lace around its edge. “It’s a classic style,” Margaret Stove said. They did not want anything which would date. “Another point is that each

piece can be worn with other things,” she added.

The fleece was delivered last October and they began spinning it Merino fleece has the most crimp of any fleece, So it can be spun exetremely fine. The wool "hich came from this fleece was the equavilent of 2 ply.

The result is fine fabric and knitting, very light and warm. Traditional chunky, bobbly homespun is far removed from this.