WEAVING TO RECOVERY

Members of the New Orleans Weavers Guild suffered grievous losses in Hurricane Katrina and its awful aftermath. For a while our very survival as a group was in doubt. Soon after the second anniversary, however, two members—Beverlee Madere and Cheryl Dunworth—had a weave-born brain wave. We need to be together. We need a healing activity. We need to weave. So they ordered some Schacht rigid heddle Flips, collected playful yarns from whatever stashes had made it through the storm, and set dates for a series of workshops.

I’m supposed to say that Cheryl and Beverlee presented their ideas in an organized way at an organized meeting according to the Guild’s by-laws, and members voted yes on it. But the truth is this—these ladies have their act together and they hauled the rest of us off our stressed-out butts with their exuberance. Never mind their knowledge, experience, and determination.

 At Roc Day 2009 our guests will see a demonstration of the world-famous Ten Minute Warping Technique and some of the more presentable hand-woven we’ve produced. The New Orleans Guild will also have one loom already warped up. Please bring some handspun or other loved-on yarn for the weft of this year’s group-weave project. In this and so many other ways you will share our joy in surviving and weaving through recovery.

On your mark ladies, warp those looms, pick up your shuttles, and let’s have fun together!