Odds and Ends

If you have a spinning, weaving, knitting or story (and some photos if possible) you would like to share with CSW members and visitors please send them to canberra spinners@bigpond.com and put 'website manager' in the title.

Backstrap loom demonstrated in Canberra

In early March 2009, Alfonsa Horeng of the SENTRA INDUSTRI LOKAL LEPO LORUN (House of Weaving), on the Indonesian island of Flores paid a flying visit to Canberra. Alfonsa set up her backstrap loom at the ANU School of Art Textile Department and gave a talk and demonstration of the art of ikat dyeing and weaving to students and visitors.

In addition to demonstrating her loom and giving an overview of ikat dyeing techniques, Alfonsa also talked about the Lepo Lorun group and its work to maintain traditional techniques both in plant dyeing and weaving. She also showed one of the local Lerap fruit which is used as a natural soap. Some images from her demonstration can be seen here.