c u r i o u s w e a v e r » Martian Textiles

Apr 28 2007

Martian Textiles

	Currently, my studio is at full production with both looms dressed and in progress.So I thought a few photos of the beautiful, mesmerising threading process would be in order. A couple have larger photos to click to. The green warp is chenille scarves and the pink/purple silk are large wraps. At the moment, I’m reading Extreme Textiles by Matilda McQuaid. This is a really inspiring book. As handweavers we always look to past traditions and patterns for our work, but I think there is a place for understanding our future position in how textile technology is being used all around us. Each textile construction technique has it’s own strengths and weaknesses. Weave, knit, crochet and braiding can be used in conjuction with new fibres and mixes to create situation specific performance textiles. For example, knitting as a looping technique can be easily distended and has been used to make a cardiac support device to hold the heart and prevent it enlarging. This is made from a knitted mesh with untwisted yarns as they disperse stresses preventing the yarns from cutting into the flesh. And for weavers, one of the first things to leave human marks on the surface of Mars was the impressions of plain weave from the airbags of the Mars Exploration Rover in 2004. A fitting tribute to one of the oldest human creations and skills.

# Charleenon 30 Apr 2007 at 5:52 am

I have spent much time looking into the connection between what I do and it’s origins. Thanks for helping me see the connections in such things as space travel and medicine.

The warp pictures are beautiful and so realistic. I can see the fluidity of the silk as it wraps around your hand!
# ellieon 02 May 2007 at 5:49 am

I love loom dressing pictures! Yours are stunning.
# Lizzie Doyleon 06 May 2007 at 12:19 am

I am so pleased to meet you via the blog! I have been a weaver and teacher of weaving for many years. I have several very good weaving friends, but find it a solitary path and when evening falls and I can’t see to work, its the best time to study or make contact with others. Your blog gives me both. Thankyou for having the time, creativity and skill to kee the textile work happening as well as the excellent communication.