Exploring Longwool Behavior in Woven Textiles

NYTM 2025 // Exploring Longwool Behavior in Woven Textiles

As part of New York Textile Month, discover the extraordinary possibilities of using local longwool yarns with master weaver Stephanie Seal Brown. While these robust fibers may not offer next-to-skin softness, their exceptional length, strength, thickness and lack of shrinkage create fabrics with natural durability, brilliant luster and flowing drape—qualities that make them ideally suited for outerwear and interiors.Descended from sheep brought by Romans to British shores and later perfected through Robert Bakewell's 18th-century breeding program, these now-endangered breeds still produce truly distinctive fibers with remarkable properties. Once prized for hardwearing textiles, longwool gradually vanished from manufacturing as mills prioritized softer, more versatile medium wools. these breeds thrive in our northern, cold, damp climate, the time has come to explore their possibilities anew.Through her work primarily with Lincoln Longwool from Emmaline Long and Orchard View Lincolns, Stephanie highlights how these heritage fibers create textiles with distinctive character and performance, demonstrating their unique advantages for specific applications and offering contemporary designers exciting possibilities in textile development.

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