Making Useful Things

A weaving loom on display at Smith College, where I toured with my daughter this summer.

Weaving is one of the oldest crafts known to humans. Before even fabrics were created, sticks and branches were woven together to create structures! But this blog post isn't going to be about the history of weaving. If you want to learn more about that, there are countless internet sites and museums to visit.

This is about why I like to make useful things with my handwoven work.

When I went home on winter break in college after having taken my first-ever weaving class, I was so proud to show my parents what I had made. My mom, of course, loved everything I made. Always. She was very sweet and had an appreciation for the arts. But my dad was a more practical guy. He worked in the hardware industry (not computer hardware, I'm talking hammers and screwdrivers here) and useful things were very, very important to him. So when I handed him the sampler I created with basic plain weave and twills, he held it up to the light and said, "You made this? It's fabric! I can't believe you made this!" I don't think I had ever felt more proud of myself than that moment.

Over the years after college I made many, many scarves. Not yet brave enough to think of cutting into my handwoven fabric. Also not brave enough to imagine putting it into a sewing machine! I am an amateur sewist, at best.

My latest batch of towels, minus a few I gave as gifts this summer!

So I moved on to making towels. They require some sewing, but just the hems. Not too bad. I slowly got the hang of that. And now I'm thrilled that so many of my friends and family have and USE my handwoven towels on a daily basis. Except my friend Sooz. She repeatedly says, "I could never wipe my hands on that!" It cracks me up every time.

Then a few years ago my mom gifted me her 1960s era Kenmore (really a Singer) sewing machine. An absolute workhorse of a machine that can handle even the thickest layers. That's when I became interested in making bags. I started small with things like pouches. I still like to make them because they are the perfect way to use up those extra bits of weaving that don't quite make a full project on the loom! I have a few of my own that I use for little things like transporting my jewelry when I travel, or storing little notions.

And now I'm moving into making more elaborate bags with inside pockets and zippers and adjustable straps! I worry that I'll end up getting too involved in the sewing and not as much into the weaving. It's certainly a much steeper learning curve for me. But I am excited to see what I can make with my mom's trusty old machine, my loom, and my own two hands.