This episode, we explore the synthesis of handweaving and electronics. We’ll review an automated pirn winder designed by John Stegmuller, talk with Laura MacCary, an innovative weaver who weaves electronic components that interact with the viewer. Finally, I’ll describe an unexpected lesson learned from weaving on a computer-controlled loom. Read more >>
This episode we’re talking about weaving traditions, both cultural and personal. We’ll hear from Viridiana Chavez in Oxaca, Mexico talk about Zapotec weaving traditions. Sigrid Piroch tells us about Annie Albers and the Bauhaus movemont, and shares her experiences with Sloviakian textile traditions. Rebekkah of Bowerbird Knits tells how weaving on a bead loom connected her to the tradition of man-made art. In the ending essay, we’ll discuss personal weaving traditions, and why sometimes, it’s good to break them.
This episode we explore the rich weaving traditions of Scotland. We journey to the John C. Campbell folk school during Scottish Heritage Week and meet two amazing weavers: Majorie Warren and Barbara Miller. Then we hear the thrilling story of the Kilbarchan project, a research initiative to preserve undocumented historical Scottish weaves. Finally, I share my experiences learning to weave tartans and tweeds.
This episode we talk about the ways weavers are using their art to help others. We’ll hear the amazing story of the weaving program at Children’s Hospital in Seattle. I’ll share some thoughts about how twist affects winding a warp, and in today’s essay, Kate Jantz-Koprivnik tells the tale of a simple weaving project that turned into an eleven-day adventure.
Escape the dreary fall days with visions of brightly painted middle-eastern bazaars. This month we talk about weaving knotted pile rugs. The inspirational Sara Lamb talks about using color in weaving and her latest passion for knotted-pile weaving. We review an instructional video Cut-Pile Rug Weaving with Arlo Duker. In the swatch of the day, I describe learning pile weaving from Judith MacKenzie McCuin. And finally, the ending essay: Weaving fast; weaving slow.
This episode, WeaveCast goes to Alaska! Come with me behind the scenes to meet the muskox at the Large Animal Research Facility in Fairbanks. Sandy Garbowski, muskox wrangler, tells us about these fascinating animals and how their Qiviut is harvested and processed. We visit A Weaver's Yarn, a weaving store in Fairbanks, Alaska. Then Della Chaney, a weaver of the Tlingit and Haida nations, shares her people’s traditions of weaving ceremonial hats and robes. Finally, we end up the episode, and 2007, with some weaving resolutions for the new year.
Tapestry weaving breaks weaving out of the grid and enables the artist to create pictorial representations in swaths of touchable color. Sarah Swett helps us get our arms around this simple-yet-complex art form, and shares many of her secrets of success. In the final essay, I share lessons I've learned from my attempts to learn tapestry.
When you think of weaving in colonial times, do you imagine a farm wife sitting by the fire, weaving on her home loom? Come learn the truth about weaving in early America from noted weaver and historian, Marje Thompson. Then we talk with Fireside Fiberarts a modern-day loom manufacturer who uses custom wood carvings to bring old-world charm to their looms. In the end essay, “Finishing Matters,” I talk about a little problem I’m having with my weaving, and the reason I envy eighteenth-century weavers.
Do you dream of sewing beautifully fitted and custom garments out of your handwoven fabric? We talk to talented weaver and seamstress, Daryl Lancaster about the particular joys and challenges of sewing with handwoven fabric. In the end essay, "Uniquely Me" I describe my own tentative steps into the world of art-to-wear.
Nadine Sanders, "The Singing Weaver," tells us about the Theo Moorman technique, warping on a shoestring, and yes, she sings!. Ann Rubin of Afghans for Afghans invites weavers to help weave shawls for new mothers in Kabul. Ann Hills celebrates the weaving traditions of Pennsylvania in song.
