Hands
I am a handweaver, yes, but I weave with so much more than my hands! Winding warps on the reel, beaming under tension, threading heddles, sleying reeds, tromping treadles, throwing shuttles – it all involves hands and shoulders, arms and legs, knees and hips, trunk and elbows. I weave with my whole body.
And Mind
Handweaving also requires the brain, for precise calculations and informed decisions during the design process: how many ends of warp, how many yards of weft, which sequence of interlacements to achieve what I’m after? Maximizing drape without compromising durability is not a matter of luck or guesswork. I weave with an engaged mind.
And Heart
Designing cloth also involves perception and reflection. I study shadows, tides, and twilight, then create patterns and color gradations to capture the flow of light all around me -- and wrap it around your shoulders. Do I ever succeed at translating these inspirations into textile? Of course not. And that’s all right. It’s just a scarf; it’s not an ocean wave. I weave with an open heart.
