Weave, Dye, spin and Lacemaking

York Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers demonstrations. Talk by lacemaker and lace historian Isabel Innes

We are excited to announce our Spring 2026 event.

In the morning, we invite members and guests to bring your own creations or collections, or to briefly talk about your dress and textile-related specialisms. There will be time for up to 8 mini talks. If you’d like to give a mini talk, you can either email Faye on nsct.social.media@gmail.com or sign up on the day.

After the mini-talks, we will have time to view and enjoy the things people have brought to show in a relaxed and informal atmosphere.

The York Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers are a fantastic group who meet at Murton Park and specialise in spinning, weaving, and natural dyes. They will be giving demonstrations of their skills.

In the afternoon lacemaker and lace historian Isabel Innes will be giving a talk about handmade lace from its origins until the 1800s.

The history of lace making in Britain can be traced back to the 1500s with the arrival of the craft from mainland Europe. The industry spread across England developing techniques and manufacturing processes along the way. This talk will cover how lace making has been influenced, and adapted to the times, through changing fashion trends and societal shifts. We will also explore how the industrialization of the process in the 19th century left the skills and knowledge of handmade lace teetering on the brink of existence. Discover how this endangered craft is being preserved by like-minded individuals, determined to keep the tradition of handmade lace making alive today.

Isabel Innes is an active member of The Lace Guild, fighting to keep this art form alive. Isabel is constantly collecting, researching, and making lace to develop her own understanding of this endangered craft and, we hope, influence others to fall in love with the process as well as the fabulous final product.