CHES Clothing, Textiles, and Interior Design students took a road trip to visit Blackberry Hill Alpacas, an alpaca farm in Anniston, Alabama. The trip was organized by CTD instructor Danielle Reaves who wanted students to experience the entire process of making wool yarn and envision the design possibilities of this resource. They got to meet the alpacas, see where they are kept, learn what they like to eat and how to shear them.They discovered how to take the sheared wool and prepare it to be spun into yarn. One student even took a turn at the spinning wheel. Students got to feel the wool, both on the alpacas and off, and learn which parts of the sheared wool are used and which must be discarded. Getting to feed and pet the animals was an added bonus that had many of the students wanting an alpaca (or two!) of their very own.
The visit ended with a trip to the gift shop which featured finished products made from alpaca wool. For the students who are participating in the 16th Annual North American Student Design Competition, which is sponsored by Alpaca Owners Association, Inc., this trip was especially valuable for learning the uses of alpaca fiber in fashion, textile and interior design. For a video of the trip visit the CHES Facebook page.
The visit ended with a trip to the gift shop which featured finished products made from alpaca wool. For the students who are participating in the 16th Annual North American Student Design Competition, which is sponsored by Alpaca Owners Association, Inc., this trip was especially valuable for learning the uses of alpaca fiber in fashion, textile and interior design. For a video of the trip visit the CHES Facebook page.
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