Legend has it that around 2700 B.C. Empress Hsi Ling Shi was sitting under a mulberry tree when a  silkworm cocoon fell into her tea and unraveled. The Empress noticed that the delicate thread was soft and strong so she figured out how to spin and weave it into luxurious fabric. The Chinese then kept the raising of silkworms and the production of silk a secrete for about 3,000 years before it spread to other Asian countries. Now, you can spend a day exploring this wonderful fiber! Try out drafting techniques to control thread size, learn to ply fine singles, and discover how to sett the twist in your silk yarn – with several different silk preparations – Bombyx (Mulberry) sliver, Tussah (wild) silk, silk caps, and silk noil. Throughout the day you’ll also enjoy learning about the history of silk, how to raise silkworms, how to degum silk, how to blend silk with other fibers, and how to dye silk.

Mississippi Native, Cassie Dickson has lived in western North Carolina for the past 30 years. She grows flax and then spins and weaves her flax fiber into linen cloth, she raises silkworms and spins her silk fiber into yarn, and she uses natural dyes to add color to her yarns. Cassie specializes in weaving historical coverlets and linens and she is a heritage member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild. She also teaches widely, generously sharing her knowledge of these special fibers and techniques.

$110 – $130

Additional Supply Fee: The supply fee of $40 for silk fibers and handouts is payable to the instructor on the first day of class (cash or check). Silkworm eggs will also be available for students who would like to explore sericulture.

Scholarship Available: No

Level: Able to spin independently.

Number of Students: 7 – 12

Required Supplies: 

• Notetaking materials.
• Spinning wheel in good working order and ready to use.
• 3 or more bobbins.
• Lazy kate.

Class Schedule: Class will be in-person at the SEFAA Center from 9 am to 4 pm on Friday, April 29, 2022.

Covid 19 Policy: SEFAA is following the new CDC COVID-19 Community Level guidelines for DeKalb County, Georgia. As of 4/4/2022, our Community Level is medium, and mask-wearing inside the SEFAA Center is optional. If you are at high risk for severe illness, talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need to wear a mask and take other precautions.