Why does weaving (or other needlecraft) matter?
Most humans prefer peace to war, and order to chaos, but when there is bad news folks will turn to handwork to sooth their souls. When the news of the world it too hard to bear, turning wool into yarn, and yarn into useful or artful things, helps a body feel a bit grounded. It may not solve the world’s troubles but it can help ease the struggle.
In the grand scheme of things, putting things together seems to always be better than taking things apart. There are a few important exceptions. Recycling something into something else requires a certain amount of deconstruction just as composting kitchen scraps gives us a “finished product” of good soil and healthy plants.
Patchwork quilts (see this beauty by Faith Ringgold) are another example of the whole being greater than the sum of the parts. Quilts also remind us of the importance of working in community. Every quilt is a story of many hands sharing the work.
I wonder if there is a link between troubling news and a rise in textile art making? How many of my grandmother’s doilies and hand-pieced quilts, contain her tears and fears for her sons who were a world away fighting for democracy?
To sew is to pray. Men don't understand this. They see the whole but they don't see the stitches. They don't see the speech of the creator in the work of the needle. We mend. We women turn things inside out and set things right. We salvage what we can of human garments and piece the rest into blankets. Sometimes our stitches stutter and slow. Only a woman's eyes can tell. Other times, the tension in the stitches might be too tight because of tears, but only we know what emotion went into the making. Only women can hear the prayer.
~ LOUISE ERDRICH, Four Souls
After reading Annie Alber’s book, On Weaving, I shifted my weaving practice toward direct manipulation of the threads and away from the repetitive limitation of the floor loom (a machine designed for efficiency other artistry).
In the 1970’s I learned to weave on a four harness loom. At the same time, I enjoyed experimenting with a frame loom based on Sheila Hicks Minime works.
I learned to spin yarn with a spinning wheel before I learned how to use a hand spindle. And still use both tools for yarn-making. I still enjoy the rhythms of the machines that speed up the process (Ala The Industrial Age) however, when my soul is troubled, I like to take up the simple hand tools. The rhythms of the movements slow down my racing thoughts and help me feel grounded, linked to women (and other humans) who made thread down through the ages.
For the same reason, in workshops, I start with the simplest tools, letting my students find their way to the Industrial Age when they are ready. Check out my two upcoming workshops which are based on these very simple tools.
There are still seats available in Spider Web Weaving. Plus, The Bath House Cultural Center at White Rock Lake in Dallas is offering an entire series of Textile Workshops, including Introduction to Weaving with me!
Stay warm and keep your hands busy!!
Loved this June! ❤️