Weaving a life, a life of weaving. A good fabric has to start with the loom being in balance, the yarns all have to be even in tension and centered. Patience.Then comes the rythmn of weaving. Throwing the shuttle through one shed, beating the weft in, changing the shed. Patience. Add some color and lots of exercise. Feet dancing on the treadles, fabric flows from the loom.
Starting from traditional practices learned at The Marshfield School of Weaving in VT, my work has evolved over four decades into complex colorwork in simple weave structures. This is most evident in the dish towels made for everyday use. Each one is a minature color experiment. Magic takes place in the washing and drying process. The fibers bloom and subtle weave structures emerge. The towels are soft and absorbant.
The design and creation of chenille scarves provides me with opportunities to play with color, pattern and texture too. This yarn, with its velvety texture, is unparalleled for its luxurious softness, drape and intriguing play of light and shadow. Each one is unique. I approach rug making in the same way. Using several strands of wool to create a sense of movement, they are evocative of landscapes, sunsets over the ocean or mountains. The rich colors of fall, the delicate greens of spring or a rainbow after a summer shower offer abundant inspiration. Tradition and practicality merge in my use of rags as material for rugs. A useful repurposing has come about by taking fabrics or old clothing, curtains, holey blankets and the like and turning them into rugs for customers who want to hold on to the memories and recycle at the same time.