Visit our interactive gallery for an introduction to how textiles are made.

From clothing to carpets, all textiles share four basic elements: fiber, structure, color and decoration. Textiles 101 invites you to explore the creation of handmade textiles from ancient times to today. Touch fibers in raw and processed forms, practice weaving techniques, digitally design your own textile and watch videos of artists at work anytime you visit the museum.

Join us on Saturdays afternoons this summer, 12:30-4:30 p.m. for Textile 101 Pop-Ups, a series of mini textile workshops introducing local materials and handcrafting techniques. The pop-ups will be led by Chesapeake Fibershed, an organization working to create a regional network between fiber producers, mills, dyers, artisans and enthusiasts. No registration, experience or materials needed.

• July 12: Fibershed natural-dye weaving
• July 19: Rug hooking with recyclable materials
• July 26: Naturally dyed yarn
• August 2: "Sheep to Shawl" (carding, spinning and weaving)
• August 9: Flax processing

Support for the Textiles 101 gallery was provided by the Institute for Museum and Library Services and generous private donors.

Museum Hours

• Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Closed on university holidays.