About this project
Hello Everyone! I'm Dee. I began weaving over 10 years ago while pursuing my degree in Fiber and Material Studies at The School of The Art Institute of Chicago. As I continue to develop as a weaver, my focus is to create hand woven utilitarian textiles for the home and body. This year I am excited to introduce some new elements in my work. By blending the Japanese dyeing techniques, Kasuri and Zanshi with classic Scottish Tweed and Tartan weaving patterns, I'll be creating an original collection of textiles that combine both tradition and innovation. There are many intricate steps in the dyeing process and will require the proper facilities and tools in order to be made. The threads of the fabric are resisted in areas and dyed in other areas to create interesting, colorful patterns when woven. I will be using the dye and weaving facilities at Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina to create this new work and I need your help. In order to make this collection happen, I need to raise $3,538 to cover the cost of studio fees, equipment rental and materials. As a token of my thanks for your generous support you will receive a special woven gift hand-crafted by me in my Chicago studio. Your help is greatly appreciated!
BELOW: The Huntington, Handwoven blanket, 100% cotton, 1666 thread count
BELOW: The Huntington Blanket, detail
For a donation of $100, you will receive a hand woven scarf similar to this one below.
Hand woven coasters, a gift for a $25 donation.
BELOW: The Summer Winter Scarf, hand woven Bronson lace, Silk and Rayon
Below: "Dressing" the loom. Each one of those silver things is called a Heddle. The heddles hold one thread each and you have to bend yourself into the loom to thread them. It makes your back ache but quite worth the effort and pain.
FAQ
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89
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$3,768
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Funding Successful
This project successfully raised its funding goal on February 6.
Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more
For a donation of $10, I will mail you a hand written card of thanks with a little drawing inside.
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
Everyone's morning coffee or tea deserves to sit upon something beautiful! For a donation of $25 or more I will weave a set of 3 lovely coasters for you and send a hand written card of thanks from me. Please allow 2-3 weeks for your items to be made.
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
Adorn your waist with a hand woven belt. Add it to your own wardrobe for a bit of stylish flare or give it to a dear friend as a special gift! For a donation of $50 a woven belt could be yours along with a hand written card of thanks and a boat load of gratitude from me. *Please allow 2-3 weeks for your belt to be made.
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
Picture an evening with a home cooked meal of your favorite dish. On your lap is a lovely cotton napkin embellished with hand embroidery. For a donation of $75, I'll send you two table napkins to be used and cherished. You can wash them and use them again and again. You will also receive a hand written card of my sincere thanks. Please allow 2-3 weeks for your lovely napkins to be made.
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
As we glide through winter and approach spring, a nice light scarf will be just the thing --to get you through chilly afternoons. For a generous donation of $100, I will make you a hand woven, one-of-a-kind spring scarf. Please allow 2-3 weeks for your scarf to be made.
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
For an exceedingly generous donation of $500 or more, I have made one hand woven blanket that I painstakingly wove over the course of several weeks. It is made from organic cotton in a huck lace diamond pattern. The colors are natural, blue-grey, and burnt orange. It is featured momentarily on the wall in the video.
Project By
Connected as Dee Clements (492 friends)
When fabric is created by hand rather than machine, it is imbued with life by it's maker. Before the threads become fabric, each strand will run through my hands hundreds of times. This is what I love most about weaving. After working as a seamstress for the Joffery Ballet in Chicago and an assistant textile designer in New York, I am now creating my first collection of hand woven & dyed textiles for the body and home to be presented late 2012.
