Weaving Display in the Library

The Woman With The Weaving Loom In The Window

Some people see me leaving early in the morning, other people see me coming home very late, still others may see me weaving, that is what I like to do most with my free time!

I first learned about weaving in 1973 when I went camping cross country for 3 months with Bob, my husband, and Ms. Heather, then 9 months old. We stopped for a night in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. After a short stop for supplies, we came across a women weaving at a local fair. I stopped to watch and was mesmerized. I watched with awe seeing the shuttle fly to and fro, a rhythmic melody. I couldn't wait to get back to Brooklyn and locate a school that taught this great art form.

I found a Swedish teacher across the street from the Brooklyn Library. I studied for a year and then we moved to Heath. I received a wonderful gift from Bob, a Cranbrook Loom, one of the last original ones made by Bextel & Sons. The loom arrived via Rowe Atomic Energy plant, due to its great weight. I wove many rugs on this loom, but was not satisfied just doing rugs.

I wanted more complex projects, but had no idea where I could learn this craft. It wasn’t until someone told me about a great art school in Florence, Massachusetts, called The Hill Institute, that I had the opportunity to further my studies. I met many wonderful students from all over New England. They came from as far away as Upstate New York, Connecticut, Vermont & New Hampshire! All had a variety of experience, but were looking for more. Our class was conducted all day Wednesday. I needed to change my work hours to accommodate classes, so there’s where the four, ten hour shifts came into play. I stayed at the Hill Institute for five years.

Three Table Runners
(Twill as drawn in)

I am now in the process of completing my Master Weaver Certificate. I must complete 34 original projects, be juried, and passed within the next two years!

I now have three large looms, each with a different project on it. Some projects go faster than others. I weave woolen blankets, for which I dye the yarns, naturally, of course. I weave with cotton, linen, tencel, bamboo, silk, cottolin, chenille, wool and occasionally, synthetic yarns.

If you look not too far from the library, you can see an old barn loom in the Heath Center School. Those looms were built specifically for a person’s height. They don’t do that these days. I wonder if that person wove in the window for good light too!

Five years ago, Bob encouraged me to teach weaving to his 6th graders at Butterfield School in Orange. The students have a Harrisville loom and they all weave their own creative projects during the year. They realize that cloth doesn’t always come from Walmart.

On my weaving journey, I also joined a number of Guilds, each one giving me areas to explore in the field, such as the Pioneer Weavers’ Guild which meets at WEBS store in Northampton on the second Tuesday of the month.. Weavers of Western Mass, of which I am President, meets the fourth Wednesday of the month. Connecticut Weavers’ Guild meets in Glastonbury the second Saturday of every other month. Any one interested in either learning about weaving or joining a guild can contact me. Leave a message on my phone, because I’m usually weaving if not at work!

This craft has certainly enabled me to explore history, art, color, textures, customs & traditions. I enjoyed traveling to all parts of our country. I have visited many great places, such Utah and Arizona that have great Indian tapestry weaving. In New York City, I’ve seen a Japanese woman weave Silk Komonas for the U.N Embassy.

One last story, during the floods of 1989, a poor lost soul was looking for a way to get to Albany because Route 2 was closed. We took him in, gave him a cup of tea and directions. Two weeks later, we got a thank you letter addressed to “The People with a Loom in Their Window, Heath, MA.” Postmistress Esther Dickenson knew exactly whose mailbox to drop the letter into…ours!