Weaving Reception and Open House

The Stratford Historical Society will host a reception and open house at the Catharine Bunnell Mitchell Museum, 967 Academy Hill Road, on June 12 from 1-3 p.m.,  to acknowledge a donation to its library and research collection from Area 3 of the Handweavers’ Guild of Connecticut.   Area 3’s 2010-2011 guild project focused on reproducing some of the patterns from the Society’s early-19^th-century weaver’s  draft book.  The public is invited to attend the reception and view a display of the finished woven samples.  The Judson House will be open during the reception, with costumed docents stationed in the rooms to answer questions.  There is no charge for house viewing on that day.

 Carol Lovell, curator, speaking on behalf of the board of directors of the Stratford Historical Society, thanked the guild for its donation, a valuable resource for weavers and textile historians.   She explained that  Stratford weaver Silas Burton lived on Linden Avenue, in a two-story red house that now serves as a veterinary clinic.  Burton kept a small book of patterns or drafts for the fancy table linens, striped carpets, and overshot coverlets he wove for Stratford residents and clients from Connecticut, New York City, and North Carolina.  The draft book will be on display during the open house, along with a handwoven tablecloth in the “Stratford Beauty” pattern.

 Julie McClure of Norwalk, 2010-2011 Area 3 chair, said that the draft book provided a variety of patterns from which to choose, from the simple and straightforward to more complicated and challenging designs.  Some members chose to weave with traditional fibers and colors, others re-interpreted patterns with modern fibers and color combinations.  Each participant designed and completed a pillow, which were exchanged at the January meeting, then wove two samples, one for the library of the Handweavers’ Guild of Connecticut, and one for the Stratford Historical Society.