Thursday, June 20, 2013

Slow Cloth Therapy

It has been a long year. A long frustrating year and it is only June. When I look back on my life it seems to always be feast or famine on the frustration scale. Here lately they have been crammed down my throat on a daily basis. I've reached the point where I am ready to tell everyone and everything to take a flying leap off a high bridge.

Fortunately, just when I needed it, I scored a shift in the loom house at work. I always enjoy working there and sharing my love for all things wooly, but I was particularly happy to get a chance to work on the Civil War reproduction coverlet that is on the barn loom. It is tedious and a challenge to work on while speaking with guests, but they are fascinated by it.


The design is an exact reproduction of a coverlet found in a photo of Abraham Lincoln and George McClellan at the Battle of Antietam.


It is slow cloth in the truest sense; a puzzle for my brain to keep track of where I am in the pattern. It is creating the distraction from life I need right about now.


I think I may even dispense of the usual advice and try this at home.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's wonderful! A true work of art and I love it!

I'm gonna tell Mom! said...

I hate that run away from home feeling!
The coverlet is stunning. How exciting to be working on that reproduction-especially with the photograph to show exactly what, where and why. I don't blame you one bit for losing yourself in the weaving and in another century. (As long as you come back to the blog....)

Tombstone Livestock said...

That is beautiful. So glad someone is inspired enough by history to bring it back to life. Take care, and enjoy working the loom, and keep us posted on progress, can't wait to see it finished. Good to see you back here in blogland, We know the last year has been busy.

Lynda said...

It amazes me that someone can figure out how to do and keep up with that intricate pattern. I agree that it is wonderful to recreate the crafts of our history. And glad it has helped you "unwind" a bit, too. That's always good for our immune system.

Unknown said...

Just look at it as exercising your brain, like going to the gym, give your brain a workout. My poor mother can't remember anything, but you put a crochet hook in her hand and she'll whip out some old doily, a pattern she memorized long ago, without giving it any thought. I'm think it's awesome you're willing to learn this, keeping this art from dying.

Benita said...

I swear there is very little more soothing sounds than a loom working. The rhythm of its banging and clacking are musical and it is so easy to get lost in it and the pattern of the fabric being created. Lucky you!!

SixBunnies said...

That is really amazing! I would love to learn that art. Hope your life gets less frustrating right away! I followed a link from the Raspberry Rabbits here. Glad I did. Lovely work!

Michelle said...

That photo, and reproducing the coverlet, really touches me! May the work be therapy for you.

Karen Anne said...

That's gorgeous. How about a photo of the whole thing when it's finished?

Elaine said...

It's truly beautiful. I love the clickyclacky of the treadles and the whoosh of the beater! Enjoy and try put other issues aside.

thecrazysheeplady said...

That'd be the project to energize you :-). Love overshot and you are doing a great job!