Sheep to Shawl challenge (Art at the Alex)

This challenge - to take sheep fleece and turn it into a wearable shawl using heritage crafts of spinning, weaving and knitting/crochet is one which is often taken up as a 'within one day' contest between teams at state fairs and county shows. At Art at the Alex in 2026 we are taking a more relaxed approach, across four days. You will see us prepare fleece for spinning (Thursday 17th), spin the fleece (mainly Friday 18th and Saturday 19th, Worldwide Spin in Public Day), and weaving and knitting/crochet (mainly Sunday 20th but also Saturday 19th).

The ultimate fleece to final garment challenge was set in 1811 in Warwickshire by Sir John Throckmorton. He bet 1000 guineas that it was possible. using a mill - within a single day, between sunrise and sunset - starting from the shearing of the sheep, spin yarn, weave cloth and fashion a coat which was to be worn the same evening. He succeeded and the coat was on show in Coughton Court and shown at the Great Exhibition of 1851. Our fleece, from local Brandon flock, shorn this year, will use handtools and processes. How many shawls (or how large) is an unknown! We hope to involve novice spinners and weavers as well as those with experience and look forward to showing off the shawl(s) made.
The co-ordinator is Spinner, Weaver and Dyer Chris Pegler who has a loom and studio at the Alex.

In September the Alex iis taking part in Northants and Rutland Open Studios. Its monthly exhibition will showcase heritage crafts.

Timings

Thursday 17 September:

1100 - 1600

Friday 18 September:

1100 - 1600

Saturday 19 September:

1100 - 1600

Sunday 20 September:

1100 - 1600

Location & directions

Alexandra Arts, 72-73 James Street, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV21 2SL

Directions:

The Alexandra Arts is a former pub within the town centre, just on the edge of the independent quarter. It has a basic friendly cafe (tea/coffee and cake), a garden, on site students and monthly exhibitions by local artists. We are open Thurs-Sat 11-4. It is easily accessible (10 min walk) from the Railway Station and close to bus stops. There is no on-site parking but there is are council-run car parks (multi-storey and surface) adjacent to our premises.

Contact on day:

Chris Pegler

Telephone number:

+441788438553

Booking information

Pre-booking requirement:

Pre-booking not required

Accessibility details

Parking in the street outside is available to Blue Badge holders. Municipal car park £1 for 3 hours is next door. The site is single level and help will be available to turn a wheelchair or pushchair in the porch, if required.

Additional information

Rugby is a small town, very walkable and the Rugby Art Gallery and Museum is 10 mins walk from the Alex, as is Rugby School.

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