My weaving class October 2012

Having been awarded a scholarship by Vasa District 15 to take a class studying something relating to Swedish or Nordic traditions, I took the chance to learn a new skill. I completed a class in weaving at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina. This school was established in the 1920is after a Danish  idea as an optional education for adults. Sweden too has a similar system.

 

Arriving on a Sunday evening, the  classes started right away after dinner with a welcome and the first basic instructions in the technique of weaving. By Tuesday afternoon I had gotten so far that I was ready to actually begin to weave on a loom. Class was from 9:00 am till 5:00 pm, but eager to accomplish as much as possible, I continued weaving after dinner until 9:00 pm! Friday morning I had accomplished weaving three table runners with the help of Pam, a very enthusiastic and inspiring teacher, and Lillian, her equally enthusiastic assistant! Friday afternoon all the different classes displayed their works at their assigned areas in the big hall. I was so amazed at the quality and quantity of the work everyone had accomplished.

During the week, in my class, with my teacher, her assistant, my eight fellow students, and everyone around the 360 acre campus, I met so many wonderful people. Meals where family-style. We listened and participated in morning and evening sing a longs. Evening entertainment was Bluegrass and Appalachian folk tunes played for us on instruments such as banjo, dulcimer and guitar. I am happy to have had this wonderful learning experience!

- Ulla Miller