Tracing the Threads: Weaving in the Southern Appalachians – All Things Appalachia speaker series

All Things Appalachia Speaker Series
Thursday, December 1, 2022
6:30-7:30 pm
“Tracing the Threads: Weaving in the Southern Appalachians”

Program Description:
The art and craft of handweaving has a long thread that predates European settlements and continues to this day in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. It is spun with stories of courage, sacrifice, and humor. Track the weaving patterns from Europe to Madison County, acquaint yourself with weavers and spinners from the 19th century, and learn where the art is today.

Presenter Bio:
Barbara Miller is an eighth generation native of Western North Carolina who has dedicated many decades to the study of weaving.  Her particular interest has been traditional weaving of the Southern Appalachians and she has researched, written, and taught about traditional overshot coverlets for years.  In 2013 her research into handwritten weaving drafts from the Southern Highland Craft Guild archives resulted in the publication of THE FRANCES L. GOODRICH’S BROWN BOOK OF WEAVING and in 2015 THE COVERLETS AND COUNTERPANES.

A member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild since 1965, she was presented with a lifetime membership in 1988 and the Life Achievement Award from the Guild in 2001.

All Things Appalachia is a monthly program series at the Transylvania County Library exploring the people, natural world, culture, and history of the southern Appalachian region.  Presenters include experts in the fields of history, ecology, outdoor recreation, and more.   The programs are on the first Thursday evening of most months at 6:30 pm in the Rogow Room.  Each program lasts approximately one hour. These free programs are supported by the Friends of the Library