Haywood Overshot Blanket 6 – Treasure Island

Description

All profits from the sale of this blanket will be donated as emergency relief for victims of Hurricane Helene. The 10 overshot blankets in the WARP auction were woven by students in the Professional Crafts Fiber Program at Haywood Community College in Clyde, North Carolina. After the college was closed for 2.5 weeks due to the hurricane, students spent the remainder of the fall semester making handwoven blankets for those in need. 100% of the proceeds of the blanket sales benefiting two local relief organizations – BeLoved Asheville and the Craft Emergency Relief Fund.

Each weaver chose a historical overshot pattern to convert into a double weave for this project. The patterns are very recognizable as they are identified with the Appalachian tradition of handwoven coverlets and are constructed of washable wool. Each weaver gave careful consideration of pattern and material to ensure they are highly functional, beautiful, warm blankets.

This blanket was woven by Melissa Ezelle, using a superwash treated Merino Lambswool donated by Jaggerspun Yarn. This is a studio-sized blanket, and weighs 2 pounds. About this blanket, Melissa shares:

“For this project, I chose a Miniature Overshot pattern developed by Bertha Gray Hayes, from Rhode Island (1878-1947.) I learned about Ms. Hayes and her work during a short summer residency at the Little Loomhouse in Louisville, KY. Thanks to Executive Director Michelle Amos for introducing me to Bertha’s work, and for showing me the rich archive of weaver and educator Lou Tate, the founder of the Little Loomhouse. Lou Tate’s archive holds several drafts and samples of defunct Kentucky Weaving Guilds that reproduced Bertha’s beautiful designs. During my residency I learned about Bertha’s life, and have become inspired by her tenacity and passion. Bertha worked 6 days a week at the Providence Gas Company. In her spare time, she subscribed to Mary Meigs Atwater’s correspondence course on weaving, and taught herself to weave. She later created her beautiful, complex creations.

The design I chose, Treasure Island, is full of energy. I chose it because the design mirrors the vibrations of my current life as I try to find my footing after my recent graduation, starting a new job, surviving a hurricane, moving homes, and dealing with family medical issues and heartache. The design represents for me the treasure of resilience and adaptability.

I want to give a special thanks to Amy Putansu for developing and inviting me to participate in this meaningful project.”