Yesterday I made the trek to Berea Ky & found a working weaving studio. It was very interesting, there must have been 20 or 25 old floor looms thee in perfect working order. Even though everyone was out to lunck when we were there it was very interesting to see the place. The studio is called Fireplace Weaving & its on the back side of the town square in the heart of Berea College campus, right around the corner from Boones Tavern. I just wish they were not gone to lunch at the time & we could have watched what they do.
Cathy S/Willowwind
I hope had the opportunity to make iit to Weavers Bottom as well (located in the other section of Berea) - They weave beautiful textiles. Their looms are out in the open so you can see what they are working on!
Cathy, Did you ever make in to the "Craft?" Center just off I75. Some of the weaving and other crafts were exceptional. Cheryl and I stopped a couple of years ago bring a loom home to GA from MI. We went to a couple of weaving studios just off the Sq. and talked to the weavers. It was a fun morning, then the long drive home.
Michael
Good suggestion Michael. There's even a delightful children's book on weaving they sell! Here's the link for more info.
I was just in Berea, Ky in April doing research for a class I am co-teaching with Barbara Miller next month at the John C. Campbell Folk School. I had a great time spend time in the college archives and artifacts rooms. I too went to the weaving shed and saw the old building and the looms. I was sorry to hear that the weaving program there is getting smaller and smaller each year. Berea college as well as many settlement schools has such a rich history of weaving in the the Applachian area. So much information I decided it was worth teaching a weaving class on it!
Pam Howard, Resident Weaver, John C. Campbell Folk School
How do you get to weaver's Bottom from the town square in Berea? I will probably go again pretty soon. They have a quilt show in early August (its all over town). I'd love to see the area.
Cathy
We did go to the Craft center off I75. It was the first place we stopped. There's some nice stuff in there. I asked about Churchhill weavers but found they are out of business.
Cathy
It's in the artists section of town which once you leave the downtown area of berea (boones tavern etc) take 25/12 southwest to Broadway street - turn right. You'll find it on the right side of the road - i believe on a corner. Small - easy.
Churchill Weavers was a wonderful weaving factory - i had always planned a trip to visit but ramped it up when i learned they were closing their doors. I had the unique opportunity of being there the last day of operation. In a way, i'm glad for the way it worked out for me.
Thanks for the directions. Is that the area they call "Old Town"? Or is weavers bottom different?
Cathy
