Hand wash (or gentlest machine setting and a zippered mesh bag), cool water, mild detergent or shampoo. Air dry on a rack (or tumble dry low, again in a mesh bag, but this may create creases). Tencel rarely wrinkles but it loves to be ironed – medium iron, steam is fine. Consider ironing to be like polishing your garment, bringing out the luster of this wonderful fiber.

Tencel is an eco-friendly fiber made of wood pulp (primarily eucalyptus,  which grows without irrigation on soil unsuitable for food crops). Nontoxic solvents are used to process the pulp into yarn, then recaptured to use with the next batch of wood pulp – hence a “closed loop” manufacturing process with low environmental impact. The resulting yarn is very sturdy and has a natural luster. It weaves into fabric that has a lovely drape and a marvelous hand. Tencel is light enough to wear all summer, yet because it has no itch or bulk, it’s also wonderful to snuggle in all winter.

No. I live on an island; I get my water from a well; even with all the proper protections, I would rather not handle dyes or put their residues here. I trust the companies from whom I source my yarn. Perhaps if I could toss the yarn into the ocean and reel it in turquoise or fling it into the sky and gather in those blues, I would be tempted. For now, I prefer to devote my artistry to creating the improvised color gradations of my warps, thread by thread, and to the wonderful complexities of weaving.

I work on a Louet David II. It’s an 8-shaft floor loom, uncomputerized (no dobby), foot-powered treadles, sinking shed, sliding beater. It’s a wonderful loom. I also have a large reel on which I create my warps and an antique Iron-Rite hot mangle for pressing the finished pieces.

Certainly, by appointment. Please contact me to schedule your visit. Working studios (in any craft!) are fascinating places to visit and I always have more pieces available than are posted on the shop page.

Can’t visit? Here’s a video to see my space.