Weavers of the Southern Highlands - Softcover

Alvic, Philis

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0813192218 ISBN 13: 9780813192215

Publisher: University Press of Kentucky, 2009

Synopsis

Weaving centers led the Appalachian Craft Revival at the beginning of the twentieth century. Soon after settlement workers came to the mountains to start schools, they expanded their focus by promoting weaving as a way for women to help their family's financial situation. Women wove thousands of guest towels, baby blankets, and place mats that found a ready market in the women's network of religious denominations, arts organizations, and civic clubs.

In Weavers of the Southern Highlands, Philis Alvic details how the Fireside Industries of Berea College in Kentucky began with women weaving to supply their children's school expenses and later developed student labor programs, where hundreds of students covered their tuition by weaving. Arrowcraft, associated with Pi Beta Phi School at Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and the Penland Weavers and Potters, begun at the Appalachian School at Penland, North Carolina, followed the Berea model. Women wove at home with patterns and materials supplied by the center, returning their finished products to the coordinating organization to be marketed. Dozens of similar weaving centers dotted mountain ridges.

About this title

About the Author

Philis Alvic, an award winning weaver for over thirty-five years, has exhibited her weaving throughout the county and has written numerous articles for weaving and art magazines.

Edition details

• Publisher: University Press of Kentucky
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0813192218
• ISBN 13: 9780813192215
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 258