at

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area

Presents the annual

Fibers Show and Sale!

Saturday, March 13, 2010 from 10 am – 4 pm

Again this Year! Fleece to Shawl Demonstration

This event gives residents of the area an opportunity to view and learn about styles of

historical and modern weaving with an opportunity to purchase handspun yarn and

hand-woven and handcrafted goods. This year there will also be a fleece to shawl

demonstration featuring members and some new friends of the guild that would like to

experience what it takes to produce a piece of clothing the old fashioned way.

The “First Frontier” women of East Tennessee created fabric from wool sheared from

their own animals and plant materials gathered from their area. They spun the yarn

and wove the cloth for their garments and linens. It is not necessary for the members

of the Overmountain Weavers Guild to make their own cloth, but they do have the

skill necessary to make superb items from spun cotton, wool and linen, from

placemats, napkins, rugs, and other utilitarian items to handsome shawls, scarves,

skirts, shirts, and other wearables; items that are today being featured in upscale

boutiques across the country.

There will also be demonstrations of a variety of handcrafts, such as spinning,

weaving, and knitting during the day in an effort to educate the public and to

showcase and preserve the historical techniques used in these fine crafts. The event

will be from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., with an ongoing fleece to shawl demonstration.

Again this year, admission is free.

The Overmountain Weavers Guild was established in 1972 to teach, stimulate, and

furnish information to promote the growth and development of hand weaving,

spinning, dyeing, felting, basketry and other related fiber arts. Members use their

knowledge to help others to learn and/or improve their skills. The Guild meets at

Exchange Place, a National Historic Registry restored farm and community that was a

vital area of King’s Port from 1826-1850. The buildings there are either the original

farm buildings, period buildings from local sites, or period recreations. The farm has

ongoing activities and maintains a small number of animals for educational purposes.

Overmountain Weavers Guild supports Exchange Place by participating annually in

the Spring Garden Festival, Fun Fest Activities, the Fall Folk Arts Festival, and

Christmas in the Country; all held at the farm. Members also volunteer their time and

abilities to demonstrate and teach fiber arts, along with acting as tour guides for

Exchange Place on weekends during the month of August. The Guild also

participates in various other events in the area.

The Overmountain Weavers Guild meets at Exchange Place on the third Wednesday

of every month. Meetings begin at 10:00, usually with a program on a technique or

event presented by a member, before an informal business meeting. “Boot Camp” is

held on the first Saturday of each month from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. and gives

members opportunities to work together on problems they may be having. It is an

informal venue and gives members a chance to discuss subjects relating to fiber arts

and mutual interests. Instruction for members new to weaving is also available during

“Boot Camp” with practice loom time available.

In addition, the Guild sponsors workshops featuring leading fiber artists. Included as

past instructors are Donna L. Sullivan, Anita Luvera Mayer, Virginia West and Peter

Collingwood. The guild maintains a library of books, videos, looms, and equipment

that members may check out for their personal use. Many of the publications in the

library came from the personal library of Persis Grayson, a local individual who was a

founder of the Overmountain Weavers Guild, helped establish the Handweavers’

Guild of America, and contributed to the Southern Highlands Craft Guild.

If you would be interested in joining us at a meeting or for “Boot Camp,” visitors are

always welcome. More information, along with many photographs of our group and

events, can be seen on our web site www.omwg.net. Should you need more

information about Overmountain Weavers Guild, or directions to Exchange Place,

For information on the annual Overmountain Weavers Guild Fibers Show and Sale at

Sycamore Shoal State Historic Area, please call the Elizabethton park at

423-543-5808 , or email jennifer.bauer@tn.gov