“Homecoming” is a term often used to celebrate school spirit, but on Saturday, August 9, Local Cloth celebrated a different kind of homecoming, welcoming members back to our brick-and-mortar space at 408 Depot St in the River Arts District of Asheville.

We enjoyed demonstrations from various fiber interest groups, fabulous raffle prizes, delicious treats, including biscuits and jam from our neighbor ButterPunk, as well as the opportunity to reconnect with fellow fiber enthusiasts.

This special event took place almost 11 months after Tropical Storm Helene tore through our beloved Western North Carolina, wreaking unprecedented devastation and loss. Yet the spirit of resilience, determination, and love is strong as we continue to work to rebuild. 

Like so many of our River Arts District neighbors, Local Cloth was hit hard by flooding. The storefront took on 11 feet of water and mud, destroying virtually everything, including the unique creations of the approximately 45 fiber artists who displayed their work in our retail space..

Although heartbreaking, there were signs that gave us hope. From the tangle of debris, we were able to salvage half of the blankets from the Blue Ridge Blankets Project. Board member Peggy Eckel bagged up the blankets and brought them home to her farm to hose them down. After some research on blanket restoration, we meticulously (and repeatedly) soaked and washed each of the locally woven treasures.  We then air dried them in the sun, sewed on new labels, and posted them for sale as special edition heirlooms.

Also salvaged was the 100-year old 6-foot-tall safe that had been repurposed and renamed the Fiber Vault. Gail Lazaras, Vice Chair, an archaeologist by profession, put her experience to good use, and led a crew to gently clean the dried river silt from the surfaces without damaging the beautiful Art Deco flowers, boat and golden trim.

While the storefront was being restored, we, the fiber artists and makers of all kinds, did what we do best – we got creative.

We held three Big Fiber Giveaways made possible by the donations of fiber artists and enthusiasts. From here and around the nation, people generously donated fiber, fabric, unfinished objects/projects (UFOs), tools, books, and so much more to help local makers rebuild their “stashes” and provide them with the means necessary to begin creating again.

Despite the lack of a dedicated gathering space, classes and interest groups continued taking place in instructors’ homes and other spaces generously made available by other community creatives. We extend our gratitude to all those who helped us continue our education and enrichment mission..

Now, with a temporary certificate of occupancy in hand, we have begun to “build out” the space to prepare to welcome artists, enthusiasts, learners, makers, and shoppers back “home.”

While the August homecoming was exclusively for Local Cloth members, we are planning a community event on September 13, when the public will be invited to celebrate our official re-opening and peruse (and hopefully, purchase) one-of-a-kind creations by local artists.