Newbury's Star-Spangled Banner weaving progress open studio

Subject: [Newbury] Newbury's Star-Spangled Banner

After a few unexpected delays we have an exciting project underway at The Newbury School of Weaving! To mark the nation's 250th birthday we're recreating an early American flag using materials grown right here in Newbury.

Until the middle of the 19th-century most flags were made of wool bunting imported from England, France, or Germany. Being DIYers to the extreme, we started with wool from sheep raised on Peach Brook Road which we had spun to match the yarn used to weave *The* Star-Spangled Banner. Some technical difficulties at the spinning mill meant that we were unable to start until after our intended July 4 completion date, but we're happy to report that the yarn is here and weaving has commenced.

Visitors are welcome to come see the weaving progress through August at the school, located in the Old Village Church on Newbury Common. (Drop-ins by chance, or email to make sure we're around: info@newburyschoolofweaving.org.) If all goes to plan we'll naturally dye the bunting in September, and invite you local hand sewers to help us construct the flag before its debut flying the weekend of October 10–11.

Read more and see photos of the current status of the project in our latest newsletter.

Justin Squizzero
Director, The Newbury School of Weaving