There and Back

  Last Friday at the Museum of Appalachia, I had one little boy who kept saying, "Do it again."  I think he would have stood there all day watching that loom work.
"How do you know how much string to put on the loom?"
  "Do you do a lot of math?"
  "How long does it take to make a rug?"
  "Where do you get that material to weave into rugs?"
  "Where do you sleep?"

  Then, there's the lady who burst into tears telling me she remembers her grandmother weaving.

  I had no idea that this project would turn me into a demonstrator....or that I would do so much research on this wonderful old loom.  Thank heavens that information was already available:  http://www.ohio.edu/people/deanr/rockerbeater/loom18.html
  Ms. Phyllis Dean published her Master Thesis in 1998 on her research into rocker looms.  It was sparked from her memories of her own grandmother weaving on a rocker loom.  You can take a look at the thesis at:
http://www.ohio.edu/people/deanr/rockerbeater/index.html
  The rocker loom at the Appalachian Arts and Craft Center was also included in her research.  Ann is weaving those "black & blue" rugs right now with the black warp.  I am so glad we have this piece of Appalachian history at the Center!
  I have already woven one rug, and I'm almost finished with the second rug.  This afternoon I need to prep some fabric for tomorrow's new rug.  I may be alone for most of the day OR I may end of talking to lots of folks who are as fascinated as I am with this wonderful activity.
  What a wonderful adventure!
Happy Weaving!
LouAnn

She's Back!

There she is....ready to roll (or weave, actually!)

  I pulled Tina away from the Center on Tuesday to do some fine tuning, and now she's all ready.  This picture was made before we got the treadles tied up, but you can see the warp all ready for its first rug.

You might remember these heddles that were on the loom last year when we started the restoration project.  We were really hoping they could be used again, but that wasn't to be.

  I need to make a poster for folks to see how they were made all in one piece.  That was the first time I had seen heddles made like this.

  Thanks to Allan and his wood working skills making the jig, I was able to tie the linen heddles to replace the original ones.  That is such a beautiful sight to me!!!!

  Tomorrow is Sheep Shearing Day at the Museum of Appalachia, and the first rug will be woven on this wonderful old loom.  I've gathered up some fabric strips for an old fashion hit or miss rug.
  They are expecting several school groups, so I should be rather busy!

  And, last, but not least, this double chariot wheel mug rug warp is almost done!!!!  YEAH!
  As much as I love these, I'm ready for something new on this loom.  I'm thinkin' that some Cross of Tennessee will be next!!!!  That is always a favorite around these parts!

Happy Weaving!
LouAnn