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Weave pattern: Union Draft

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  • This watercolor drawdown and draft illustrate a weave pattern known as Union Draft. To record a pattern, a weaver creates a draft and/or a drawdown. A draft looks much like a strip of musical notation; a drawdown is a visual grid that illustrates a single weaving block. This drawdown was made by Frances Louisa Goodrich (1856-1944), who recorded weaving patterns she collected in and around Asheville, North Carolina. The draft for the weave pattern came to Goodrich through her connection with other collectors. On the drawdown, she noted, “Union Draft. 1827” and “Abigail Steadman, her draft." At the bottom edge of the draft, Goodrich added "W. H. H. Rose - R. I. to Mrs. Allen." W. H. H. Rose is likely William Henry Harrison Rose, also known as Weaver Rose. The draft probably originated with Abigail Steadman and came to Goodrich by way of Rose and Allen.