Living Room Lecture: Textile Production in Historic California

As an archaeologist and fiber craftsperson, Susan Hector decided to research historic period textiles in California and then create fabrics for use in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park as interpretive and museum objects. Starting in the early 1820s, retired soldiers and their families moved from the nearby Presidio to what is now Old Town San Diego. As the town grew, the women combined Native, Spanish, and American lifeways to make this period of American history one of our most diverse and culturally significant. This diversity is reflected in the textile traditions of the period before California became a territory and then a state.

This presentation will focus on cotton and wool textiles made in San Diego during the historic period and demonstrate how the continued production and use of these fabrics represented the diversity of cultures in Southern California at the time and the persistence of traditional methods of production. Susan will show examples including her interpretation of Jerga, Sabanilla, and Bayeta wool textiles. She will also share the results of her research on the quilt made by Juana Machado c. 1850 and curated at the San Diego History Center. This event will be held on Zoom.

For more information visit: sandiegoarchaeology.org

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