We have to use our imagination to fill in what’s not in the written record . . . we have to do what we can to fill in these other histories.
Michelle Crouch is a writer with North Carolina roots who now lives in Philadelphia, PA. Michelle recently spent time at Azule working on her upcoming book, Loom: A Family History in Textiles. This work delves into the rich history of the textile industry in North Carolina, examining its impact on the region’s development and the everyday lives of those who worked in and traded textiles.
What began as an exploration of her family’s history in rural Guilford County evolved into a broader examination of the region’s past. Michelle describes how the cotton mills of the Piedmont region shaped not only her family’s experiences but also the wider economic and developmental landscape of the area.
Michelle has taken weaving classes in recent years to deepen her knowledge of the textile craft. Her time at Azule, with its rich textile history, provided her the opportunity to fully immerse herself in weaving and draw inspiration for her book.