When I was cleaning out my studio last month, I filled two huge garbage bags with scraps of handwoven dobby and jacquard fabric, samples, and other no-longer-loved handwovens, and was getting ready to throw them out. I really needed more storage room, and some of these fabrics had been languishing for over 30 years. Out they must go.
Upon rethinking, I decided to throw the bags in the car and bring them along with me to Fiber Forum. Perhaps someone might be able to use cloth that I no longer loved.
Daryl Lancaster was teaching her class on constructing vests from collaged fabrics, and I asked her if her class would like to have my scraps. She graciously agreed to let me dispose of my "garbage" in her classroom. I told her that the students could have anything they liked from the stash, and that scraps left over must be disposed of; I didn't want anything back.
What happened next can only be described as what my fishing friends call a feeding frenzy. Daryl's class added my scraps to the ones they had brought from home, and incorporated all into their beautiful vests. The following pictures show vests in progress, and I'll let you guess which fabrics are mine. I was incredibly moved by this experience. Knowing that bits and pieces of my work are now dispersed all over the Southeast in clothing that will be worn, displayed, and enjoyed is a high like no other! Thank you, Daryl. Thank you, Fiber Forum.








