Washing, Skirting, and Preparing a Freshly-Shorn Fleece from the Shakers’ Flock

Name: Washing, Skirting, and Preparing a Freshly-Shorn Fleece from the Shakers’ Flock
Start: 2026-04-28T10:30:00-04:00
End: 2026-04-28T14:00:00-04:00
Location: Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village

Schedule

Tue Apr 28 2026 at 10:30 am to 02:00 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village | New Gloucester, ME

Register online at https://maineshakers.com/event/skirting/
Outdoors at Shaker Village and happening directly next to the Shakers’ sheep being shorn!
We will be taking hand-picked fleece from the Shaker flock of sheep for our workshop and we’ll work in the barnyard alongside the flock being shorn! We will watch in absolute wonder and amazement as Jeff Burchstead expertly shears the flock of over 60 sheep (read his DownEast feature article here: https://downeast.com/photography/the-wild-and-woolly-life-of-maine-sheep-shearer-jeff-burchstead/ ) Jeff will talk about his process and answer any questions you have along the way.
Brother Arnold and our staff & volunteers will talk about the flock, the fleece, and definitely in-depth about the breed and personality of the sheep you have your fleece from. The Shakers’ flock include Romney, Shropshire, Icelandic, North Country Cheviot, and Finnsheep breeds. You will have a first-come first-served selection from fleeces shorn earlier that morning and while we are having our introduction– you can even hand-pick the cutest one in front of you and watch it be shorn.
Learn how to skirt, clean, and wash a fleece with Betsey Leslie of Ewes to You Farm in New Gloucester. Betsey has been hand processing fleeces for over 35 years and has developed a process of cold-water washing that allows the lanolin to remain while the dirt washes away. Lanolin is the grease that is naturally produced by sheep and helps make their wool waterproof.
We will work communally as a group to help skirt all fleeces used for this workshop. We will work in the Shaker barn to skirt and outside to wash.
Everyone will take home their own full fleece with a sample of it washed and the knowledge to finish the washing process at home.
A variety of natural colors will be available and participants are welcome to share their fleece with one another to have a variety of colors and breeds of Shaker wool. Your finished product will be ready to use as-is, to dye, and/or to card & spin. We will then host a series of workshops where you can return with your clean fleece and learn how to card & spin it into your own Shaker yarn.
We ask that participants please bring:
-An old sheet to wrap your fleece up for transport.
-Wear clothes that can (and will) get dirty.
-Layer clothing for predicted temperature changes.
-Sunglasses/hat.
-A bagged/cooler lunch and water bottle.
We will have Hot Hands available to warm up your hands.
Let’s enjoy the day together, play with wool, and learn new techniques!

Maximum 12 participants.
All ages and levels of experience welcome.
Did you know that current members of The Friends of the Shakers receive $5 off each workshop? Sign up or renew today to claim your discount!
Register online at https://maineshakers.com/event/skirting/