WEAVING AND SPINNING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21029, 13 November 1931, Page 3

WEAVING AND SPINNING.

UNIQUE EXHIBITION. WORK DONE IN AUCKLAND. An exhibition of hand-weaving and spinning, which must bo unique in the history of Auckland, convened by the Misses Mulvaney, of Taniko Weavers, was opened in the Lewis Eady Hall yesterday for a period of three days. Tho exhibition is being held with the object of showing people what is being done in the nature of weaving and spinning in the Auckland Province, and a large quantity of work done locally was included in the display. Other exhibits were of historical interest, and one, which was lent by the Auckland Museum authorities, was of a linen shirt and wool plaid shawl, both of which wero woven and worn bv the father of Sir George Fowlds, of Auckland.

The durability of hand-spun material was shown in a cape woven in Ireland 35 years ago, the colouring of which is still undimmed by age and shows absolutely no signs of wear. Another blanket was hand-spun and woven in Scotland in 1765. The finer quality of material used for spinning and weaving and the fact that it is not required to undergo the drastic treatment of the modern machine rooms is the reason for its long-lasting qualities. The use to which waste material may be put in weaving is demonstrated in an exhibit of three blankets, which were knitted from scraps of wasto from the woolshed in an Auckland province. Ihe use of the vegetable dye in colouring the material for working into patterns is also shown in a number of the aiticles displayed, and the deep richness of the shades stands out in striking and attractive relief against the background of the foundation material. Curtains and other draperies, large tablecloths, bolts of material for frocks and other articles produced from the table loom and foot-aud-hand loom on a largo scale were exhibited by the Misses Mulvaney themselves, while in contrast to this "was a table containing dainty handbags and other novelties made by an Auckland woman who weaves as a hobby. Demonstrations of weaving and spinning will bo given by the Misses Mulvaney to-day and to-morrow.