Library's Exhibit Reveals Gash's Weave-It Loom

Annie Jean Gash as a young woman in 1899.

During the past year staff and volunteers in the Local History Room at the Transylvania County Library have been processing, indexing, and preserving documents, photographs, and other print materials donated by the Gash family.  Among the items was information concerning a weaving device and bias weaving method invented by Annie Jean Gash.

Miss Gash originally filed an application for a patent on August 24, 1937.  She had entered into an agreement with Donar Products Corporation in Medford, Massachusetts on August 20, 1937 to manufacture the product.  Gash was to receive 1.5% of the net selling price on the first thirty thousand sales and 3% on sales thereafter.  A patent was granted on May 23, 1939. 

A Donar Weave-It loom is currently on
display with the new exhibit, "Generations of
Creations: Spinning, Weaving & Quilting"
at the Transylvania Heritage Museum.

A February 23, 1939 Transylvania Times article stated that the Weave-It loom invented by Miss Gash is now being placed on the market by Donar Products.  “Along with the little square loom in an attractive box container, is included also an illustrated booklet giving directions for weaving and sewing the completed squares together.  Pictures of several articles woven on the loom by Miss Gash are shown in the booklet.  Bags, scarfs, dresses, coats and many other articles of wearing apparel may be fashioned from the bias squares made on the loom.”

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library. Visit the NC Room during regular library hours (Monday-Friday) to learn more about our history and see additional photographs. For more information, comments, or suggestions contact Marcy at marcy.thompson@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-1820.