Textiles class visits local alpaca farm

Textile class posing in front of alpacas

Brenau University’s FM 242 Fashion Textiles class recently visited Noa’s Ark Alpaca Farm in Gainesville and were led on a tour of the fiber mill by Jack Noa. 

Starting with a fleece sent for processing by a customer, Noa demonstrated each step in processing fiber from raw fleece to finished yarn. Noa maintains and uses antique mechanical carding and spinning machines for processing fiber, ideal for the smaller quantities that his mill processes for customers. 

The class learned how to identify a good fleece, the impact of staple length on processing and spinning, and the basics of alpaca care. After the tour of the mill, Trish Noa introduced the class to the herd of alpacas. The tour wrapped up with a stop in the Noas’ retail shop, where they sell yarn and other items made from alpaca fiber. 

“My favorite part, other than seeing the actual alpacas, was being able to see all of the small details that go into processing fibers, especially at a smaller farm like this one,” freshman Jessica Garcia said.