Pacific Textile Arts

Pacific Textile Arts' Online Members' Holiday Sale is now up on the website, offering beautiful and unique handmade items for holiday shoppers! Check it out at https://www.pacifictextilearts.org/holiday-members-show-sa/ and help support our member artists while bringing something special into your life or surprising someone with a one-of-a-kind gift.

Member Michelle Karpov shared this photo of herself in 1974. She was traveling in Guatemala, and saw a weaver in San Antonio Aguas Calientes. She asked if the weaver could teach her and ended up staying there for a week.

Sailmaking, a Lost Art "He is a skilled draftsman who cuts a suit of sails that fit perfectly, and he is clever with a palm who sews them." [Nancy Paine Smith] ...This is the corner of a hand-sewn sail made in the 1800s. The craftsmanship and quality of the work is amazing. The canvas sails were made of hemp along with clothing, ropes, and the caulking used to fill gaps between planks among other things. Hemp is 3 times stronger than jute and was preferred because it was unaffected by salt water. The work done by sailmakers was demanding and left no room for error as their sails would be what brings fishermen home safely. See more

The work done by sailmakers was demanding and left no room for error as their sails would be what brings fishermen home safely. This is the corner of a hand-sew...n sail made in the 1800s. The craftsmanship and quality of the work is amazing. This is a lost art. "He is a skilled draftsman who cuts a suit of sails that fit perfectly, and he is clever with a palm who sews them." [Nancy Paine Smith] The canvas sails were made of hemp along with clothing, ropes, and the caulking used to fill gaps between planks among other things. Hemp is 3 times stronger than jute and was preferred because it was unaffected by salt water. See more

Pacific Textile Arts Spinning Group has resumed weekly meetings, Thursdays 1:30-3:30, usually held at Ann Brezina's house, outside, socially distanced. Otherwise held at PTArts on the patio, also observing safe practices. Contact Ann if you wish to attend: [email protected]

Before the pandemic descended on the world, Pacific Textile Arts had planned to honor our dear friend, Judy Fisher, during the month of August. We would have had a gathering and a Gallery exhibit to celebrate her life of creativity and skill. The Gallery is closed, of course, so we offer this retrospective in memory of Judy, who was among the first members of the Pacific Textile Arts Board.

Century plant in full bloom in July!

While Pacific Textile Arts campus is quietly waiting for a safe time to reopen, the garden continues to do its thing! Who knew we had a century plant in the front yard?

Janice Sullivan, master weaver and teacher, is currently (March and April 2020)exhibiting a sampling of her work at Pacific Textile Arts. The Gallery is closed during the Corona virus "shelter in place" order, but her work dazzles the Gallery even so. These photos don't do the weavings justice, but give you an idea of the scope, variety and expertise of Janice Sullivan.

Peace and connection through textile art.

Suzanne da Rosa shared her travels in the Shetland Islands, studying traditional Shetland lace, in her Program Series presentation Sat., Feb. 22, 2020. Then the group moved to the Gallery where Suzanne discussed her Lace Wall Project to fascinated fiber artists.

Why, yes, that is a working Finnish loom on our second floor. :-D

Lace Wall Project opening on First Friday, Feb. 7. 2020. Suzanne da Rosa is a master lace knitter, recreating the first published lace knitting patterns from the 1800's. The opening was amazing, the gossamer webs of fine fibers dance around the room! Showing in the Gallery until Feb. 29.