Globe Dye Works

I continue to work with the orange warp and started doubling the weft for a different look. I am not in love with the solid look of the fabric, but have been inspired to transform the finished cloth into something else. I am thinking small pouches with a zipper and a fun complimentary lining. Stay tuned as I will have to dust off my sewing machine for this project.

You may remember that I bought this yarn from the sale of the stash of a weaver who had passed away. The cone of orange yarn had a sticker on the inside with a Globe Dye Works label. I started researching online and found out it was a family owned company in Philadelphia from 1865 until 2005. This is super exciting for me because I lived in Philadelphia for 11 years AND because I love to learn about the history of textiles. Apparently Globe Dye was founded by the son of a hand loom operator and the company dyed, bleached and wound cotton yarns for knitting mills and weaving facilities for 140 years. Today, the 7 buildings with 200,000 square feet were converted for craft manufacturing, art production and exhibition. They even filmed parts of the film Dead Man Down on the premises. For more information on Globe Dye Works, check out this link and this one and this, too.