Custom Weaving for fiber farmers

I am a textile designer and weaver. I weave on 1940s vintage dobby looms, with widths ranging from 48" to 92." I enjoy working with complex weave structures often using 24 harnesses. For comparison, a standard hand loom has 4 harnesses. Using so many harnesses requires the technology of the power loom, and results in more unusual, intricate patterns. I use the looms as a handweaver does; however, with the flexibility to change patterns and colors as I work.

Since 1990, I have collaborated with spinning mills and small scale wool producers to weave custom designed throws and blankets. Custom blankets show off your carefully cultivated wool to its best advantage, and I enjoy working with each wool grower to come up with a unique design.

The following costs represent the range of estimates for the costs of weaving throws. The more blankets you have woven, the lower the unit cost is because the design and warp set up time is more than half the expense of the work. As this is custom work, the final cost will depend on the size of the yarn and the complexity of the design.

My warp length minimum is 40 yards. Depending on the size of the yarn, this warp length generally requires 40 lbs. of yarn and results in 16 throws (48" x 72").  Throws  weigh about 2 1/2 lbs each. Yarn must be on cones, though for an additional charge I can convert skeins to cones. Typically the cost of weaving each throw (not including finishing) will be $65-$90 per throw. If you make the minimum length warp, the cost will be closer to $80/throw. Finishing (edges and washing) is an additional cost, typically $20 per throw.

I can also weave bed size blankets: twin (72”x90”) and full (80” x 90”). Estimated cost for full size is generally twice that of a throw, as they are almost exactly twice the size and weight.

Commission Weaving

I can also do commission weaving to your specifications using commercial yarns. Price/yard will be dependent on size of yarn, complexity of design, and length of warp. Warp length minimum is 40 yards.

Please contact me to discuss your particular needs and interests.