TRC Intensive Textile Course, students at workFor many years the TRC has been running its successful five-day intensive courses on textiles. They are being taught in Dutch or English by Dr Gillian Vogelsang-Eastwood, textile and dress historian and director of the TRC.
The courses are a mixture of theoretical and practical elements, with an emphasis on trying out the various techniques of textile production (spinning, dyeing, weaving), on holding and examining fibres, textiles and finished items, all in order to learn and understand what is happening and why various combinations take place.
The aim is to make textiles less ‘frightening’ and allow people to look and understand a textile, from virtually any historical period or culture.
The courses are an absolute 'must' for anyone dealing with archaeological, historical and modern textiles, for designers and fashion students, as well as anyone who is seriously interested in all aspects of textile history and production, and simply wants to know and practise more.
The upcoming editions of the course:
For 2024: 22-26 April; 24-28 June; 12-16 Aug; 7-11 Oct.
Over the years, the courses have attracted participants from renowned institutes such as the Rijkmuseum in Amsterdam, the British Museum in London, the Centre for Textile Research in Copenhagen, the Netherlands Forensic Institute, as well as commercial groups (Kwantum), but also enthusiasts without an institutional backing from the Netherlands and abroad, who are often just as curious and stimulating as the professionals. A personal report, written by Erica Prus from London, who attended the course in November 2021, can be read by clicking here. Another review, from a different angle, was written by Konstantinos Chatziantoniou, who particpated in the same course. See also Monica Chen from Heidelberg, who attended the April 2022 course.
Fees for the full course, including the use of materials, are € 950.
Course content:
Day 1: Fibre identification
Theory: Introduction to the different types of textile fibres (plant, animal, fur, mineral, artificial, and synthetic).
Practical: Basic fibre identification using senses, burning, staining and microscopic techniques.
Day 2: Spinning and yarns
Theory: Preparation and spinning of main types of natural fibres; the basic spinning techniques: hand spinning; wheel (spindle, spinning); machine spinning.
Practical: Hand spinning and wheel spinning; identification of the main types of spun yarns.
Day 2 (late afternoon): Dyes and dyeing:
Theory: Introduction to the main types of plant, animal, mineral, synthetic dyes and dyeing techniques.
Day 3: Weaves and weaving
Theory: Introduction tothe main types of hand and machine looms (flat, vertical, backstrap, treddle, warp-weighted, draw, jacquard, etc; introduction to the main types of weaves and finishes).
Practical: Identification of the main types of weaves; drawing a simple weave graph; working with different types of simple looms to reconstruct the weaves just looked at.
Day 4 (morning): Weaves and weaving (cont.)
Day 4 (afternoon): Non-woven materials
Theory: Introduction to the main forms of non-woven materials: leather,felt, knitted, crochet, braids, laces, etc.
Practical: Identification of the basic non-woven forms; basic felt making.
Day 5: Decorative techniques
Theory: Introduction to the main forms of decorative techniques:(a) printed (batik, block, plate, roller, screen; computer); (b) applied (appliqué; embroidery; braids, bands and tassels; sequins, spangles, beads; etc).
Practical: Identification of the basic forms of decoration
- Dates for 2024: 22-26 April; 24-28 June; 12-16 Aug; 7-11 Oct.
- Time: 09.00 - 16.30, incl. lunch and coffee breaks.
- Max. number of participants: 9
- Min.number of participants: 4
- Course language: Dutch and/or English, as required.
- Costs: € 950, of which 150 euros one month in advance (non-refundable). The remainder by the first day.
- Provided: Equipment, samples, handouts, tea and coffee
- Not provided: lunches
- Location: TRC, Hogewoerd 164, 2311 HW Leiden, The Netherlands
- Registration: please send an email to the TRC: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We will contact you with further details.
- For further information: Textile Research Centre, Hogewoerd 164, 2311 HW Leiden, The Netherlands. Tel. +31 (0)71 5134144 / +31 (0)6 28830428; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
