[Ansteorra-textiles] *sniff* A sad tale of looms being replaced...

[N.D. Wederstrandt]

>
>         If you ever detour on your way to Pennsic, go by the town of 
> Berea Kentucky.  THey have a weaving business that has been in continuous 
> operation since the 1850's  It was started as a way of single women who 
> had no home or prospect of marriage.  The same looms are in use and the 
> way they weave (it's done by a steam shuttle though it is hand done.) is 
> really neat to watch.  THe women weave patterns by memory.  You can watch 
> them but not talk to them.  I don't know if they are still intact... a 
> few years ago a tornado went through and leveled most of the town.
>         I have a shawl I bought from them as a souvenir.  It's called 
> churchill weavers.

         Okay - I lied.  They started in 1922 but I really thought it was 
earlier..... sign.

Clare