Haywood Overshot Blanket 8 – Elmeda’s Fancy

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 Millie Smith, using a superwash treated Merino Lambswool donated by Jaggerspun Yarn. This pattern is an interpretation of the draft “Elmeda’s Fancy,” named for its creator, Elmeda Walker, who lived from the mid-19th into the 20th century along the North Carolina-Tennessee line. This twin-sized blanket measures 40” x 73”, and weighs 4 pounds, 2 ounces. About this blanket, Millie shares:

“Returning to school after Hurricane Helene was more overwhelming than I expected. I did not realize the emotional weight I was carrying until I walked back into the studio nearly three weeks after the storm and sat aimlessly at my loom, unmoored by grief and uncertainty. When Amy presented her idea about weaving these blankets, I felt instantly engaged and tethered to this creative and compassionate undertaking. I cannot think of a more relevant application of our craft and its physical, figurative, and historical importance to Western NC. While meaningful, this blanket has tested my technical skills as well as my patience; it has stretched my brain, body, and heart as I process the damage of the storm. I am ultimately very proud of the final product and the personal and collective healing that took place while weaving it.”