H E A T H E R H U B B A R D

Since leaving industry, Heather has concentrated on studying and perfecting weaving and dyeing skills to add to her spinning and other fiber accomplishments. graphic of scarves

On the right are three scarves woven on a discharged cotton warp with silk weft using a 3 block satin structure. These scarves were exhibited at the Brunier Art Museum during Colour Congress 2002 in Ames, IA.

Plaited

On the left, above, is a blue wool and silk scarf woven on a painted warp in a plaited twill pattern from an historical manuscript. To the lower right is a draped scarf woven on a discharged and offset warp using handspun tussah silk weft in a 3 tie supplementary weft structure.

Artist's Statement

I’ve always been interested in fabric and how it is made. During my years as a software engineer I also spent time learning about the nearly lost technologies of spinning, dyeing from plants, and weaving. The historical economies of textile production have influenced our current science and technologies in many ways. So, while I revel in the art and expression of creating with fiber, I also wish to study and teach the connections that fiber technologies have with our history and our current world.

My weavings for the past few years have naturally had an emphasis on historical patterns and fibers. I’ve used weaving manuscripts from the 1600s to the 1800s as sources, adapted them to currently available yarns and colors, and then have woven them on my computer interfaced loom. Sometimes I try to weave a cloth that closely resembles what might have appeared in the 1600s. Or, I will take a historical pattern and modify it to suit the new synthetic yarns and colors.

I value the importance of the creative act of weaving a beautiful cloth and treasure the opportunity to maintain and teach some nearly lost technologies.

Email Heather: calhjh@gmail.com