We make cotton cloth at Westville just as they did in 1850. The spinning lady takes cotton lint or ginned cotton, and rubs it between two boards called "cards."

As tiny wires in the cards remove any leftover pieces of cotton seed and knots and align the fibers, the cotton becomes separated into small rolls or "rolags." These are then spun into thread on the spinning wheel.

After the thread is spun, it is wound around pegs on a warping frame, then strung in one direction. This is called the "warp." The weaver places other thread in a small wooden device called a "shuttle," which she pushes back and forth. She uses her feet to push a treadle, which lifts alternate threads so that the shuttle can pull the thread from side to side.

Each woven line must be packed thoroughly. After a while, cloth is woven. Some of our houses at Westville have curtains made from cloth right here in the town.

Home | Calendar | Education | Events | Membership
Museum Shop | Virtual Tour | Research

Copyright ©2002 - 2006 by Historic Westville, Inc.
All rights reserved.

Virtual Tour

• Basket Weaving
• Buildings
• Blacksmithing
• Candle Making
• Cooking
• Cotton Baling Press
  
• Crops and Gardens
• Pottery
• Quilting
• Furnishings
• Spinning and Weaving

Mules and Wagon passing in front of Adams Store.