Our Next Meeting

MEDIEVAL TEXTILES DAY
30 September, 2023
Friends Medeting House York

We are delighted to announce our September event – a fascinating day exploring early medieval textiles.
The day will focus on two versatile techniques with very long histories, nalbinding and tablet weaving. 
Our speakers are both experts in their field. 

‘Nalbinding an Ancient Endangered Heritage Craft' will explore the archaeological and cultural evidence 
for Nalbinding (Nalebinding). A fibre craft technique that predates knitting and crochet, with an
8,000 year old history across the Globe. Traditionally used by different cultures to make clothing 
accessory garments such as hats, socks, mittens etc., as well as items such as bags and pouches. 
This ancient skill is a World craft that few people realise exists. This talk will be an introduction
to inform, educate and inspire those to find out more about this fascinating Craft that’s having a 
modern resurgence.
The talk will be given by Emma 'Bruni' Boast MA, an Archaeological Finds Specialist and the UK's first 
Nalbinding Master Craftsman.

Tablet weaving dates back to the Iron Age, and is a technique which uses tablets or cards during weaving
to produce intricate and highly decorative narrow bands. These bands were used to decorate the edges of 
clothing by women and men alike from the Iron Age onwards, as well as being used as belts and sashes. 

This talk will be given by Heidr Gragas (Heidi Shaw) of Gragas Textiles. Heidr is a Viking reenactor 
and textile artist. She has been living the Viking dream for ten years now and plies her trade at the 
Murton Park Danelaw Village near York. Tablet weaving is an ancient form of textile production in which
she specialises, along with the making of era authentic clothing and accessories.

There will be plenty to see, handle and learn in this fascinating study day. 

Programme:

10:30am – coffee 
11:00am – Nalbinding an Ancient Endangered Heritage Craft by Emma ‘Bruni’ Boast
12:30pm – lunch
2:00pm – reconvene
2:15pm – Tablet Weaving by Heidr Gragas

There will be time after each talk for questions, as well as for taking a closer look at 
the reproduction textiles and tools the speakers have brought. 

The cost of the meeting is £10 for members, £15 for non-members, and £5 for students.

To book for this event, go to Eventbrite, or request a Booking Form from nsctmembership@hotmail.com

****************************************************************************************************************

The Society was founded in 1977.

We are a well established Society operating in the North of England.  We have an enthusiastic interest in all things costume and textiles, with a bias towards the historical.

We organise a programme of quarterly meetings with lectures by guest speakers covering a wide range of subjects or we visit private and public collections.

Members come from all walks of life, some with considerable knowledge of the subject, but many who are just enthusiasts keen to find ot more or to share there enthusiasm with others.  We are af riendly society welcoming new members and guests to join us.

If you are interested in any aspect of costume or textiles, particurly their history, perhaps the Society is for you.

We also produce small range of patterns based on actual historical garments which can be purchased on-line.