Ashford Award 2024 Update
Ashford Textile Award 2024 – Final Report from Lauriston Farm, Goldhanger, Essex, UK
Lauriston Farm was thrilled to win the Ashford award in 2023 and since receiving the prize of $5000 of Ashford products they have been working towards producing bags to sell at local markets. This is their final report, by Jenny Chittenden.
The Farm enables our community, including those with special educational needs, to gain skills and achievement through involvement in the textile crafts.
The award of Ashford products has helped us increase our capacity to process our own North Ronaldsay sheep wool, spin and weave fabric and make more handcrafted items, such as bags.
The E-Carder
This has been used and used! Affectionately named “TheLazyManCarder”, it has been used most days, most weeks, and has been instrumental in producing the carded fibre which is then either felted or put into kits to sell.
Skein and Ball Winder
These two pieces of equipment work so well together: the Skein Winder enables us to wind the yarn into skeins for dyeing and the Ball Winder winds these skeins into balls. Our farm uses vegetables from the garden and foraged plants from the sea wall for dyeing.
Rigid Heddle Loom
We have been weaving with different textures and colours
Warping Board
Our co-workers take an active role in winding the warps on the Warping Board.
Inkle Loom
This loom is used to create straps for the felted bags. We have plans of weaving “Lauriston Farm” into the bands, but this will take more practice.
Bobbin Winder and Boat Shuttles
These have made weaving more accessible to everyone.
8 Shaft Table Loom
We have been weaving lace weave and Huck both with a close sett, for a solid textured cloth suitable for small bags and pouches.
Winning the Ashford Prize has made a huge impact at Lauriston Farm, and will live on at the farm for many years to come.
