presenting Jane Patrick - the interview

As promised, I'm participating in National Spinning and Weaving week by having a guest appearance here on the blog today. Jane Patrick, former editor of Handwoven magazine, vice president of sales for Schacht Spindle Company Inc., and author of the new book Time to Weave.

I received a copy of Time to Weave from Interweave Press, to prepare myself to ask some (hopefully) intelligent and coherent questions in an email interview with Jane.

The projects in the book are mostly outside the realm of conventional looms - though there are a few woven on simple frame or peg looms - using materials such as rope, stone, paper, copper and even carpet runner and cork. I was fascinated by the variety of materials, projects, and ideas that Jane had put together for the Time to Weave.

Following are my questions to Jane, and her responses.

Your book, Time to Weave, takes weaving outside the realm of looms and extensive equipment. Do you see these projects as an introduction leading to more traditional types of weaving?

This is my hope. I wanted to introduce weaving in a way that was very approachable and appealing. I think sometimes the equipment factor prevents people from trying weaving. By presenting attractive projects that can be done in a relatively short time, I hope people will be inspired to try them and then want to explore weaving on a loom. I also had a secret hope that people who already weave or maybe have woven but aren’t currently would be inspired to try some of the projects or explore new methods and materials in their own work, to keep weaving.


What inspired your foray into non-traditional weaving for Time to Weave? Were these ideas that you’ve been exploring for a long time?

The idea for the book led me to the exploration of techniques. I don’t think I knew when I started that I would make so many non-loom projects. And while some of the projects might be innovative, like the cork mat where I secure the edges with a glue gun or the window shade made of plastic and ribbon, many of the techniques I use have ancient origins (Ancient peoples didn’t have a lot of fancy equipment.) I turned to books that explored traditional ways of making textiles in my search for solving design problems. For example, I used twining in the construction of the Hearth Rug and a 2-loop technique makes a stable structure for the Stick and String coaster.


For your own pleasure, what is your preferred type of weaving? Or perhaps I should say what is your default weaving, for relaxation and pure enjoyment?

What I like best about weaving is exploring new ideas and techniques. I’m one of those weavers who loves to sample. Through sampling I make discoveries I wouldn’t have thought of otherwise. Sampling is for me the true creative part of weaving.

I find that I need a reason to weave, such as for a gift or for a class I’m going to teach. I like designing for publication, such as for Handwoven magazine (www.interweave.com) or our Schacht online newsletter (www.schachtspindle.com). Though working on the book at times was hard, the exploration and research and finally “figuring it all out” was really a lot of fun. So much fun, that I’m going to start working on another book. This time projects will be woven on a rigid heddle loom. My hope is to have the same type of engaging and interesting designs that are found in Time to Weave that will inspire people to weave.


And because I’m a bit of an Icelandophile, I have to finish by asking—how did your time in  Iceland influence your career in weaving? You only begin to hint at it in the book’s introduction.

Iceland was where my weaving career began. In Iceland at the time it was usual for women to have their handwork with them. People would sit around and knit or stitch or crochet. But it wasn’t until I attended the home ec school for a month that I first saw looms and got to weave. I also explored knitting, sewing, and embroidery while there, but it was weaving that really captivated me. Unfortunately, they had finished weaving for the year, but the textile art teacher allowed me to weave off the leftover warps. I had no idea what I was doing, but I knew I loved throwing the shuttle and watching the fabric grow pick by pick. Later, I learned to weave at the Weaving Shop in Boulder, Colorado where Deborah Chandler (of Learning to Weave fame) was my teacher. You could also say that in Iceland I became interested in culture…which led me to study cultural anthropology in college. Though I never formally practiced anthropology it provided important training in ways of looking at information and material that was extremely helpful when I became an editor of Handwoven.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Many thanks to Jane for the interview, and inspiration.

Happy Spinning and Weaving week to everyone!

Comments

[lanea]

Thanks for making me want to go home sick (after an hour of work), drive to the country, and pick up a loaner loom I have no space for in my house. Stupid job. Stupid physics.

[Marcy, Not so Blogless]

Good interview, TMW. And, of course, you were able to work Iceland into the conversation. Excellent!

[Lee Ann]

Excellent interview...thanks. I think.

(Need loom hardhat. Now.)

[Sylvia]

I just *knew* you'd ask good questions! Jane's answers are making me look at my weaving in a different way. Hmmm. I love the "default weaving" concept!

Did I tell you that in a moment of self-confidence this summer I signed up for a Sharon Alderman workshop in March '07 and have to buy a new table loom for it?

[denny Mcmillan]

It's spinning and weaving week? Who knew? Not me, but I will note this and mark this event by starting to wind up all the handspun in my house.I'm getting ready to sell it. Yah more$$ for the rhinebeck. Thanks for the interview, and for sure(like Lee Ann said) wear a loom hardhat.

Look up waaaaay up.

It's a bird, it's
a plane ..................no its a loom.

cheers.

[regina]

Nicely done! That said, I refuse to succumb to the lure of yet another craft. You cast a mighty powerful spell, though.

[The Purloined Letter]

I'm so pleased to see a discussion of this book! It is definitely on my must-have list.