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How did settlers go from a field of fluffy sheep to a wardrobe of sturdy wool clothing? Find out Saturday when Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site demonstrates all the steps in the process that was vital to life on the Illinois frontier.

The free “Sheep to Clothing” event takes place May 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 Follow along as historic interpreters shear the sheep, sort and wash the wool, tease and card it for spinning and spin the wool into yarn. Then they’ll knit the yarn into clothing, dye and felt cloth and sew fabric.

Sharon Stovall of Flat Rock, Ill., will be on hand to identify and evaluate antique coverlets for the public.

“Sharon has been involved in weaving and textile research for more than 30 years, making her an invaluable source of information,” said Lincoln Log Cabin Site Manager Matthew Mittelstaedt. “This is a unique opportunity for community members to have their heirlooms examined by individuals who can not only often identify the pattern, but also in some cases identify the weaver of a particular piece.”

Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site, a Gateway Site for the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area, was the 1840s home of Abraham Lincoln’s father and stepmother, Thomas and Sarah Bush Lincoln.  It is located eight miles south of Charleston and 14 miles southwest of Mattoon, Illinois. 

 For more information about this or other events at the site, call (217) 345-1845 or visit www.lincolnlogcabin.org.

The site is operated by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. IHPA protects the state’s historic resources, which contribute to education, culture and the economy. IHPA sites include ancient burial mounds, forts and buildings erected by settlers, and homes connected to famous Illinoisans.

Learn more about IHPA at www.IllinoisHistory.gov, on Twitter and on Facebook.