When I started my career in weaving magazines almost 15 years ago, I remember more than a few discussions about whether weaving should be considered an art or a craft. Some folks believe that every weaving created with intention is a piece of art, from the humble pot holder to an elaborate tapestry. Others view themselves as artisans who create functional textiles that just happen to be aesthetically pleasing. For that group, weaving is a craft, much like blacksmithing.
Personally, I’m in the camp that weaving is both: it straddles the line between art and craft. Even tapestries and wall hangings, items we think of now as being purely decorative, once had a practical purpose. These elaborate pieces were designed to be beautiful, yes, but perhaps just as importantly, they provided insulation against cold weather.
For the Winter 2024 issue, I wanted to celebrate weaving’s connection to both art and craft, which is why I chose the theme Inspired by Art. Each piece in this issue pays tribute to specific artworks, artists, and artistic styles or techniques. As is often the case, while I had an idea of how designers might take on this theme, I was blown away by the breadth and creativity of the projects I received.
Just a few of the projects you'll find in the Winter 2024 issue along with their inspiration. Click on each photo to see it larger!
In these pages (and pictured above!), you’ll find an incredible three-dimensional pin-loom rendering of Vincent van Gogh’s sunflowers and a table runner designed after William Morris's famous Strawberry Thief design. You'll also find a pointilism-inspired shawl that uses small color changes to a great effect. And that's just a small taste of what you'll find to weave in this issue!
The articles are equally full of inspiration. Lauren Puchowski explains how she turns photographs of her neighborhood into beautiful little tapestries, while Jocelyn Warren writes about color psychology and how it applies to weavers. We’ve also got a trio of articles about how three weavers used very different methods to create some truly inspired weaving, including a set of pin-loom Fabergé eggs that simply have to be seen.
There’s much more inside, so I encourage you to start turning pages and see everything for yourself. I hope you enjoy the ideas as much as I do, whether you believe weaving is art or craft—or perhaps a little of both.
Happy Weaving!
Christina
- Photo used with permission via CC4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0