Shetland spinning and melodeon restoring

The roller organ awaits a pane of glass

I have begun to spin the Shetland fleece that I scoured and dyed late last summer. As you may recall, I dyed it three different colors, hoping to produce a heathered yarn.

Shetland divided and dyed

 

The bulk of the fleece was dyed Chestnut, and although in the picture there appears to be blue and red, it is actually teal/green and red.

I made a number of spun samples and the time has come to simply stop dilly-dallying and dive right in, come what may. I was not entirely happy with any of the samples, but they came close. So now I'm spinning a whole bobbin full of singles to see what the journey is like, and when the plying begins (3-ply, Navajo style) I'll discover what worked well and what didn't. The second and subsequent skeins should see a bit of improvement over the first. This first skein may become a stand-by just in case I run short on the project.

I'm spinning from the drum carded batts. It's enjoyable to be at the wheel again. The Kromski 'Mazaurka' castle wheel is out for this one, and I am using the lowest ratio available. Gotta say, I'm pleased with the way it's going.

Fresh off the drum carder

 

First bobbin of singles in the works

I am so excited! I have booked a class at the Newbury School of Weaving with Justin Quizzero. I have been wanting to learn from him for a few years, ever since I saw him spinning in this video:

Although I have done spinning on my great wheel, I feel that some proper in-person instruction will go a long way towards imparting some confidence. So, a day-long class at the end of May awaits. Can't wait!

Work on the Roller Organ has ended for now. When the weather warms up, I may do some cabinet touch ups. And I hope to rebuild the bellows in the spring as well. Restoration of the Medoleon has begun in earnest now.

Lid open, keys removed

The exhausters need rebuilding and that is what I'm starting on. But there will be a slight pause on that front while I order some goat skin and leather.

Exhauster corner showing goat skin gusset

Exhauster skin and skeletal boards deconstructed

I'm keeping all the old pieces in order to use them as templates wherever possible. While I wait for supplies, I'm moving on to the reed bed. These reeds were extremely difficult to remove as they don't have a groove for a reed puller to grab onto. I had to use pliers and it was a bit of a struggle in a handful of instances.

The reeds pulled from their chambers

I will put the reeds in the ultra-sonic cleaner and make sure they all sing OK before putting them back.

The soundboard needs a bit of TLC. The previous restorers (in 1978, it says so inside the cabinet) repaired some cracks and I think they need a bit of reinforcement with glue. The whole board needs cleaning and sanding to remove old glue and remnants of velvet where the keys protrude from their cells.

It's all happening.