From David to Goliath

There were so many cars in the back parking lot today, that I had to park upstairs in the front where the Craft Center Shop parking is! As I came in, I had to stop and take some pictures of some of the hand woven items we have for sale.

Here is a peek at some of Carol's handwoven garments.

Heading downstairs from the shop to the basement studio, one of the first things you see is a HUGE old Barn loom. This loom is very special to us all, our dear sweet Carl wove fantastic denim rugs on this very loom for many, many years. Carl was our faithful friend, counselor and "Dad", we do miss his kind smile and his gentle chuckle at all of the silly stuff us girls would talk about as we wove on our much smaller looms surrounding him.

Pat has taken over the job of Chief rug maker and she takes it as an honor to continue the traditions that so many Weavers before her have done over the years on this loom. (and many other looms just like it!) Pat came to the Center after she had been given a handmade loom. Pat found out about the weaving classes when she drove by the shop and stopped to take a look inside. To her surprise, she already knew 3 of the weavers that were part of the weaving department!

This loom is on loan to the Appalachian Arts Craft Center, from the Museum of Appalachia, which is almost but not quite, literally across the street from us! I can barely read the note that has been on the loom for a very long time! Can you?

The loom was purchased by John Rice Irwim around 1970 from the Franklin family that lived near Morristown TN. The loom was in an old log cabin built by the Franklin family about 1880. The loom has 2 shafts and 2 treadles, which is perfect for simple rug making. (Can you spot the old reed that is actually made of reed! A reed reed if you will!) Pat wanted me to be sure and point out in the pictures above how smooth and shiny the top of the swinging beater is from years of contact with weavers hands. This loom is surely a Goliath in a room full of Davids! Next we had some finished items in the studio today! Patty brought in some placemats that she had woven using "Twill and Tabby" from Dixon's book "The Handweavers Pattern Directory", pages 55 & 56. The warp is the same on each of these placemats, isn't it amazing?!

Also, Linda cut a towel warp off of her loom today! Project planning is in her future!

That is all I have for you today, next week we will look more in depth at the small floor looms that we have in the studio. Tina, for all!