October 2010
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Ghostly paranormal adventures in downtown
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Upcoming events in Downtown Fond du Lac
Calling all holiday shoppers
Woolgatherers a haven for hobbyists who enjoy weaving, spinning and more
Dorothy Bliskey | Special to The Reporter
The Woolgathers Ltd. LLC opened at 35 N. Main St. four years ago when owners Sara and Hans von Tresckow retired from full-time jobs. Hans, who was born in Germany, was an engineer while Sara, an Illinois native, held several jobs in IT. Living in Germany since the 1970s, the couple returned to the United States in 1990 and settled in Fond du Lac where Hans worked at Giddings and Lewis. The couple’s technical skills and knowledge of fiber arts enhances the product line and services offered at Woolgatherers. Sara has more than 30 years of experience as a weaver and spinner, while Hans builds and repairs looms. As a full-service fiber shop, the Woolgatherers attracts those who enjoy spinning, weaving, knitting, felting and crocheting. Customers will find a complete line of knitting needles and crochet hooks, basic knitting yarn, hand spindles, spinning wheels, fiber for making yarn or felt and wooden looms for weaving. In addition the store has weaving kits for children and adults, spinners and exclusive linen yarn and looms from Sweden. Finished items range from elegant towels to weftfaced wool rugs, hand-woven by Sara. Woven runners, scarves, bags and greeting cards with woven linen inserts add to Sara’s personally created selection. “The half-linen towels are what I sell the most,” said Sara, who notes pure linen towels made from fine Swedish linen are also available. Equipment carried at the Woolgatherers ranges from simple tools to full-sized Swedish floor looms. A cozy nook filled with books on spinning, weaving and
dyeing gives shoppers a host of reading material. “Fine linen yarn for weavers is a featured item in our shop, along with cotton and wool yarns that produce lovely fabrics,” Sara said. “For those who prefer finished goods, we offer hand-woven fabric and items, along with a line of linen items from a small mill in Germany that still produces traditional household goods, including lovely lint-free towels to dry fine glassware.” Individual instruction by Sara adds to the services provided. “Since the shop is small, my classes are in the form of one-to-one training,” Sara said, explaining that she gears the classes to the students’ preferences and level of expertise. Sara also presents lectures at fiber conferences across the United States. The couple became well known in Europe for their involvement in fiber work that began in the late 1970s while living in Germany. Receiving a broken spinning wheel from a neighbor was the catalyst for Sara’s passion for the fiber arts. The wheel was refurbished and Sara began spinning, knitting and weaving yarn from local wool. It wasn’t long and the couple purchased a home in Germany that included enough rented acreage to host a herd of Frisian milk sheep and a flock of backyard chickens. The first Woolgatherers was formed there, based on agricultural production with yarn, sheepskins, woven
items, eggs from backyard hens and meat and cheese from the sheep. Sara and Hans went on to exhibit at art fairs, farmers markets and agricultural exhibitions. They also sold items at a nearby open air museum in Germany where Sara demonstrated weaving in the summer. Hans builds small table looms and offers repair and restoration of spinning wheels and looms. He points out that they are the only U.S. distributor of a special line of looms from Sweden. “That’s our niche,” he said. The Woolgatherers serves local residents, but through their extensive website also sells goods around the world, doing business in places like Russia, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, England, Canada and all 50 states. “This worldwide trade comes from several advanced weaving items we carry exclusively,” Sara said. The downtown Fond du Lac location and close proximity to Highway 41 is beneficial, according to Sara. “It leads many of our mail-order customers to stop and see us when they are passing through Wisconsin. Occasionally a group of spinners or weavers will organize a short field trip to visit the shop,” she said. “The ‘Come in and Browse’ on the door is meant sincerely. We welcome all visitors.”
Hours at Woolgatherers are 10-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. More information is available by calling (920) 907-0510 or by visiting www.woolgatherers.com.
Sara Von Tresckow works at a loom in the Woolgatherers store located at 35 N. Main St., in downtown Fond du Lac. The Reporter photos by Patrick Flood