The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1922-01-05
LOST ART. OF HAND WEAVING
REVIVED BY WOMEN OF
CITY

CITY
The work described in the follow
ing article, taken from a Middletown
(O.,) paper, is carried on under the
Extension Department of Berea Col.
lege. Mr.. and Mrs. Meredith Cab
bard are both former students Of Be-
rea College and have been connected
with the institution for a long time
Mrs. Gabbard is the daughter Of Mrs
L. X. Flannery Of Blue Lick.
II Priscilla of 1.-THE Courtship OF
Miles Standish" fame could step fron,
the pages Of one of Longfellow's
most favorite stories and take a
glimpse at close range of the display
of Fireside Industries work at the
Armco Lincoln Club, she would be
happy to note that the industry for
which she has been heralded as the
greatest artist, has not been discarded
but is being revived thru the efforts
Of Mrs. Meredith Gabbard. The
Fireside Industries opened this after.
noon and will continue this evening
and Friday afternoon and evening for
public inspection. An appreciation
of home spun work and hand weav-
ing is being shown more every day
and altho there are a comparative
few to whom this exceptional art be-
longs, the demand for such work is
becoming greater. In the immense
display the public will see the ulti-
r,ate of weaving accomplishment.
One of the pleasing features is that
anything in this line will be found
and the privilege will be extended
anyone to make a selection for pur-
chase at a. much lower price than
these priced works would be valued
in many places. The opening occurs
at an especially opportune time. since
the Christmas shopper will find nu-
merous suggestions in the wide and
varied assortment.
"Murmuring pines" and cedars add
the desired touch TO the display to
make it realistic and suggestive of
the season and does much to accen-
tuate beauty of the articles that fill
the walls and tables of the enclosed
porch at the Gabbard home. The en-
tire exhibit, with the exception of
pattern weaving, is the work Of the
Appalachian mothers, residing in this
city, during the summer course con-
Quoted by Mrs. Gabbard in regular
classes.
Classes Need Funds
Draft or pattern. weaving is to be
the next step taken up by the club
members and would have been start
ed some time ago but for the bust.
ness depression. The feature of SELL
ing the work that is now on display
is partially for the purpose Of secur-
ing funds for the continuance Of the
classes.
Plain weaving, at which a great
many Of the women are skilled and
past masters REQUIRES a loom with
two treddles and two heddle eyes
while the design work requires ad-
ditional sets of treddles and heddle
eyes as the pattern finds necessary.
When an Appalachian mother
wants new towel. she does not fol.
low the more simple and less am
bilious rule Of the majority Of the
housewives by going TO the store and
making purchase by the yard. In.
stead, she threads up her loom and
with industrious application to her
tedious task she weaves her own
toweling.
But weaving is not limited tn tow.
eline-in fact there are intricate
natterns Of framework, rag rugs. ia
BILE runners, pillow covers. chair
covers and almost ANYTHING the house.
wife desires to give her home FUR
nish'ngs a touch Of comfort and an
inviting appearance. PERHAPS the
best proof Of this is the Gabbard
home itself which is adorned with
curtains, scarfs, and numerous other
decorations as an example Of the
value Of this art.
Armco Back Of Work
The weaving industry In this citv
Is an extension Of the work at Berea
College and Is snpported entirely nv
the American Rolling Mill Comnanv
for the benefit Of those whose herit-
aee IL Is IN become artists In this
fne Of work. The promotion Of this
srt Is another aim of the classes and
It has been found in many Instances
that this talent Is often wasted be-