Fashioning Fabric: The Arts of Spinning and Weaving in Early Canada.

Lisa Arsenault is a high-school English teacher who is involved in
several ministry campaigns to increase literacy.

The arts of spinning and weaving in early Canada are addressed in this manual for young people. Most of the information pertains to the Maritimes, Quebec, and Ontario from the 18th to the early 20th century. Hood looks primarily at the products of Acadian, French-Canadian, United Empire Loyalist, German Mennonite, Irish, English and Scots pioneers.

The entire process of wool cloth preparation from shearing the sheep through washing the fleece, cleaning and carding it, spinning it into threads, dyeing the skeins, and weaving the threads into cloth is minutely described. Hood describes the various tools and machines involved, as well as the changes in methods and technologies that led to the factory system. A glossary defines terms and a section on sites of interest directs the reader to pioneer villages and museums where traditional spinning and weaving are demonstrated. An index allows easy reference.

A plethora of colour photographs illustrate the text. Many feature historical interpreters at pioneer sites engaged in the various facets of cloth manufacture. The author quotes contemporary novels, letters, and journals that express, in the pioneers’ own words, the importance of creating fabric.  While specialists interested in pioneer cloth-making will certainly appreciate this book, its intrinsically interesting subject and well-written text will appeal to a variety of readers.