Fall Festival at The Shaw House, 2019
We had a beautiful fall day for one of the most important volunteer events of the year, and a steady stream of visitors kept our volunteers busy.
This year the Guild branched out. We moved outside and set up a couple of tables under a tarp to teach youngsters a little bit about weaving. And they were fascinated. Teresa and Cindy were our weaving instructors, while Nancy demonstrated spinning.
SpringFest at The Shaw House 2019
Being part of the springtime celebration at the Shaw House has become an annual tradition with Guild members. This year Nancy and Kathy were outside under a tent with small looms so that children could try their hands at weaving on Brio looms. Kate was inside the Sanders Cabin weaving on the big loom there, and Nancy was under the tent also spinning.
We plan to repeat the same setup for the fall festival.
Clenny Creek Day 2019
Sandhills Handweavers Guild was well represented at this year’s Clenny Creek Day by Linda and Kate. Our guild members demonstrated weaving and answered questions. Although many visitors had mothers or grandmothers who knitted, crocheted or made quilts this was their first exposure to hand weaving.
This annual spring event, held on the site of the historic Bryant House and McLendon Cabin is organized by the Friends of the Bryant House. The McLendon Cabin was occupied during the Revolution and the Civil War, the Bryant House during the Civil War.
On tap for the day were representations of both American Revolution and Civil War re-enactors, fiber craft demonstrations, a children’s activity area, a living history display in the McLendon Cabin, a white elephant table, vegetable bedding plants and herbs for sale, food, face painting, a great raffle, local musicians and vendors.
The Shaw House 2017
Every December the Guild provides volunteers to work in the Sanders Cabin at the Shaw House’s Christmas Open House in Southern Pines. It’s a small cabin on the Shaw House grounds and houses a very large loom that is probably about 180 years old, but still works, quirks and all! This year Kate wove and Nancy spun, and they both fielded questions from countless visitors. It’s always a festive event and a real taste of pioneer living.
Sandhills Handweavers Guild has a strong tradition of volunteerism. In the Guild’s earliest days it had a booth at Blue Farm Days in Aberdeen, NC, where members demonstrated spinning and weaving. Since that time we have participated in many other local events:
Some of our members demonstrate spinning and weaving at local elementary schools. We explain the importance of textiles in North Carolina and give students an opportunity to try their hands at weaving on little looms.
Several of our members work and teach at Common Thread, a non-profit weaving studio in Sanford, NC. It’s goal is to create and sell a wide variety of products made from recycled fiber and donated fabric. The proceeds from these sales are then donated to local organizations working to improve the quality of life for families in Lee County.
The 180-year-old loom at the Shaw is still in good working condition.
We support the work of the Moore County Historical Association at two of its historic sites: the Bryant House and the Shaw House. Both have antique looms in good working condition. Besides demonstrating spinning and weaving several times a year at these historic sites, we talk about how the earliest settlers in Moore County lived and the importance of textiles in their lives.
Thank you, Claudia Tirado for a great picture.
Sandhills Handweavers Guild 