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Words in the World

9/17/2019

 
Picture
Last winter I wrote an article
for the Autumn issue of Ply Magazine
Picture
And now,
it is out in the world --
Hurrah!
​
As often happens,
while writing words,
I was also pursuing
(or following -- never quite sure),
an elusive idea
​that was ever dancing
just out of reach.
Picture
Linsey-Woolsey (wool warp, linen weft) on a backstrap loom. Shuttle by Bluster Bay Woodworks
Reader of this blog that you are,
there is a good chance
that now, months later,
you will put two and two together,
and give the name linsey-woolsey
to the un-namable and mysterious idea 
 flitting ahead back then.
But of course the path winds ever on
(to paraphrase Bilbo),
and on the heels of my
post-article June and July
Linsey-woolsey weaving
and an August experiment 

with striped L-W yardage pictured above,
a Four Selvedge Linsey Woolsey tapestry
has begun growing on my loom.

(note: the utterly heavenly shuttle in the photo above
is from Bluster Bay Woodworks,
I found it at Blue Flag HandWeaving  in Sandpoint Idaho --
sometimes a tool is so utterly pleasurable
that it's impossible not to share...) 
Picture
Luckily,
just as I began to think
(as I often do)
that all these ideas
and permutations of ideas
were JUST TOO MUCH
I found
upon opening my copy of Ply
 an article  by the magnificent Judith MacKenzie
on the astonishing William Morris.
(yes, adjectives galore -- and well deserved, both).
Picture
There is so much to remark upon
about the wonders of William Morris
that I'm glad I don't have to
as Judith already wrote about him,
so I will confine myself 
to a couple of long sentences, 
about how his open-minded curiosity
and willingness to try just about anything that caught his interest
(often as not teaching himself seemingly archaic skills
as the rest of the Victorian world
went zooming forward on its capitalist,
industrial and mechanized way),
never ceases to thrill and inspire me.
Embroidery, natural dyeing, worker's rights,
block printing, fiction writing, architecture,
stained glass, font design,
socialism, fabric design, book printing,
hand woven tapestry,
the Icelandic language (so he could read the sagas
and then travel there)--
well I'm already breathless--
and there is still more--
but I'll let you find that out for yourself
(assuming you're not already a fan),
while I end this sentence
by saying  that somehow,
when my own curiosity
and the siren song of an idea just ahead 
seem JUST TOO MUCH 
(for heaven's sake Sarah, 
milkweed? A woven recipe? shirts? Comics?),
I think of Morris, 
who, I believe, would have no problem 
with any of it--
and certainly not the combination
of fiction, tapestry, hand spinning and natural dyes,
as happened the Rough Copy series I wove a few years go.
Picture
Rough Copy 5: There Was Nothing; hand woven tapestry; 40" x 30"; wool, natural dyes ©Sarah C. Swett 2010
I bring these tapestries up right now
in this breathless and wordy way
 because of William Morris,
because I am once again weaving words,
and also because three of the 13 tapestries in the series:
Picture
Rough Copy 4: Receipt; hand woven tapestry; 82" x 24"; wool, natural dyes ©Sarah C. Swett 2010
Numbers  4, 5 and 12 pictured here,
Picture
Rough Copy 13: There; hand woven tapestry; 54" x 34"; wool, natural dyes ©Sarah C. Swett 2012
will be in Aptos California
at The Cabrillo College Art Gallery
from 30 September through 25 October 2019,
and I wanted you to know
so that if you're in the area,
(and in the mood),
you could pay them a visit.

 I'll not be able to get there myself,
and the tapestries themselves
tend to be annoyingly close-mouthed
(or perhaps merely bashful)
 when they return from such outings,
(unless someone buys them
in which case I never ever know),
so I rely on the kindness of others
​to hear how it went.

Picture
In the meantime,
 it is time for me
to slow down this verbosity
and weave the word
Salt.

​It'll take all afternoon.
Velma Bolyard link
9/18/2019 01:34:01 pm

i love that you're weaving 'salt' and that it will take all afternoon. and as i'm always thinking about fiber, i think of you, too.

Vicky
9/18/2019 01:36:52 pm

So sorry about the chemo, etc. My husband, too, is receiving treatments, Amazing something so heinous can also give so much hope. And you are right. The medical personal are kind and caring. And you are also right about the comfort you can give yourself by just having a piece of yarn in your hand. Prayers and kind wishes for you and yours.

Ann
9/18/2019 01:54:49 pm

Inspiring, as always.

If you're lucky, not only are there wonderful and truly caring people at the oncology clinic--but doggies too. So far I've met 7 therapy dogs (and I know all their names--now I should probably learn the names of the owners). Truly hope your husband's treatment goes as well as mine's--he's been on chemo for about six weeks straight now, with NONE (meaning zero, nada) of the dreaded side effects. Gets tired easily, but otherwise our lives are oddly normal. Good luck.

Lauree link
9/18/2019 02:04:42 pm

Your blog brings so much joy. It is heartbreaking to hear that you and your husband are going through cancer treatment. Just wanted you to know that you are a major inspiration and I wish for you the absolute best!

Juliann
9/18/2019 02:44:05 pm

Through the community of the internet fiberists, you are enveloped in understanding, compassion, and love. Let us help you through this time of troubles. Keep going, keep working, keep fiber in your hands. It is our balm to sooth our ugly world.

Nancy Kramer
9/18/2019 02:44:21 pm

Should you ever get to London, the William Morris Gallery in Walthamstow (NE London) is a delight. I live in the US and was travelling with a group of college students and demanded that we make the trek. Of course, I was/am involved with textiles and spent the visit swooning (not all of the students did, however!). Yes, youth is sometimes wasted on the young.

Gwen
9/18/2019 03:03:40 pm

It’s a year and a day since my husband’s cancer surgery. We had a wonderful hike this morning, and so far all the tests have shown no new cancer. May your spirit and energy bring you and your family the same outcome!

Daria Wilber
9/18/2019 03:09:27 pm

Keeping you and your husband in my heart.

David Moore
9/18/2019 03:24:03 pm

So many thoughts... but I’ll condense them to three:

1. I am so glad that you and your husband are getting the treatment — medical, emotional, etc. — you need. As one who has also been through the oncologist’s office, please know that there is another side to what can be a very frightening wall. You’ll get there.

2. Now I’m triply excited to open up my just-received issue of PLY magazine!

3. I love knowing that there are other autodidacts and polymaths out there! With two novels, two illustrated children’s books, a mess of paintings and multimedia works in progress, plus the usual raft of spinning, knitting and weaving, not to mention cooking, playing music, and all those books just begging to be read — oh yeah, and making a living, too — it’s nice to know that other people also have boundless curiousity and are doing just fine.

As always, thank you for a blogpost that changes my week for the better.

Linda
9/18/2019 03:40:47 pm

The life and energy in your words, thoughts and spirit must infuse your lives with hope and healthy outcomes. I so want that for you and your husband.

Marjorie McLaren
9/18/2019 04:05:03 pm

Wishing your husband (and you) a speedy and full recovery- - light at the end of treatment!

Marie Kulchinski
9/18/2019 04:16:41 pm

When the Ply magazine came in the post, I was ready for another adventure a world of interesting people doing the same things I like to do. As I thumbed through for the first read, I noticed the cartoon and stopped in my tracks. Sat down and began to read. What a delight - I enjoyed every word. I have reread the article at least 2 times. I expect to reread it again & again as I do you blogs. Spinning linen is fun. I have found that spinning is a way to put the world in order.

I have you and your husband in my deepest thoughts. Sending sweet daisies your way with each cloud. Rain drops of blue bells and puddles of violets. Only sweet thing in place of dark clouds. The best to the both of you.

Tara K
9/18/2019 04:52:23 pm

My introduction to your work was seeing Rough Copy (and other works) in LaConner, Washington, a couple of years ago. I’ve been a fiber person all my life, and although I’ve never done spinning or weaving, I love your weekly blog posts. Your art is food for my soul, and I thought I should tell you at least once, me being the sort who doesn't talk much with my heart full of soul food. Thank you.

Tracy Hudson link
9/18/2019 04:55:20 pm

All the best thoughts for you two, and all the best fiber moments as you walk this rugged stretch. Thank you for putting the words in the world.

Jessie May Keller
9/18/2019 05:58:52 pm

All my best wishes ....my husband also had a session with cancer...many years ago...and life is still good. Cheers...you will get through this. Jessie May

Patricia Stegall
9/18/2019 06:52:12 pm

I love your posts and your weaving and I’m sending all sorts of good thoughts and blessings your way!

Pam Hutley
9/18/2019 07:57:49 pm

As always your blogs are full of inspiration and creativity. And I always have a chuckle at your wonderful 'way with words'! I do love the surface of this new tapestry. I crave to touch the 'rustic-ness' of it and your choice of Indigo for those words is perfect. Very best wishes, and hugs to you both during this rough time.

elizaduckie
9/18/2019 10:23:37 pm

As always, you have an amazing (and uplifting) way with words, as well as yarn. I’m sending, along with so many others I’m sure, some supportive words and a hopeful heart that this difficult, sometimes fraught, journey turns out well for both of you. Weave on, may it bring you calm and clarity.

margaret clark
9/19/2019 05:38:29 am

I am very excited to learn that three of your pieces will be in a local show. I will be there!
Wishing your family light and healing.
Peace and fleece, maggie

Lindsey
9/19/2019 08:43:31 am

When I was a kid, many years ago, when people heard my name they often said linsey-woolsey.

Victoria Stone
9/19/2019 08:48:56 am

Sarah sending much love and wishes to you and Dan.

Laney Humphrey
9/19/2019 09:15:43 am

Best wishes to you and your hubby during these rough days. Cancer is a beast but there are positives - every moment becomes special and worth savoring. It's as though a veil has been lifted and the world, and most especially the people in it, can be seen for how incredibly wonderful they are.

Deb
9/19/2019 10:43:13 am

AH....chemo. Been there and sending good, healing thoughts to your husband. It’s been over 10 years and I’m full speed ahead.

Morgan Clifford
9/19/2019 11:38:24 am

Phew!!! Awesome as always. Thanks.

Jean Betts link
9/19/2019 01:14:31 pm

Judith McKenzie was my first spinning teacher, many years ago. I'll be watching for Ply mag. Sending warm thoughts and healing wishes to you and your husband.

Nancy Trissel
9/19/2019 01:39:51 pm

Thinking of you both and sending love & healing your way.

Terry Blair
9/20/2019 03:49:43 pm

love to you and your husband

Lynn
9/21/2019 06:22:17 am

Is dark here still at 6:10am. Recall being light by 5. At least have not such a busy mind at 2am today.
Robert Morris called together others for like minded shared work but his home life seems somewhat not smooth, so cant compare ourselves.
When saw the 2nd photo and your words, wanted to ask if you figured why in the bible, it says not too mix linen and wool. Is it a practical or just like reason for not wearing purple(too little availe.
What is so amazing is how your fiber starts out, how you prep and spin it and ends up fabric for wearing or telling stories. Wish I could do half so much.

Laurie Walton link
9/22/2019 02:41:44 pm

My kids are in their 30's but I went to the newly remodeled children's section of the Bangor Public Library (WOW) and checked out Kid's Weaving. Is there a video out there of a kid using the PVC Pipe loom heddle bar? Should you be able to open (both?) sheds with the string heddles set up as instructed? (I got one to open but awkwardly at first!) I found your wonderful blog trying to find more about setting dye (rust) and then got to the Postcard entry. OMG. I was part of the quilted Fabric Postcard craze after an issue of Quilting Arts magazine. I must weave a postcard on your PVC pipe creation. And logbook covers for coptic bound books. For Letterboxing!

Sarah
9/25/2019 07:29:27 pm

Alas, as far as i know there is not a video — maybe I’ll have to rectify that one of these days!

Rebecca from New Zealand
9/24/2019 03:20:47 am

Thank you so much for this lovely post – I've been mulling some of it over all week, like chewing on really chewy caramel.
I've also been thinking of you and your husband and sending you love and prayers for healing. What a good thing it is to have fibre and yarn in those times!

linda s
10/3/2019 09:01:50 am

Hi Sarah, Yesterday I visited the Contextual: Visualizing Language exhibit at Cabrillo College. Wonderful!! I never dreamed I would be able to see any of your Rough Copy pieces in person. They are beautifully displayed in the gallery, with lighting that allows close examination. I was able to view and admire each piece at length, absorbing every detail I could of your exquisite weaving, commenting to myself about the perfectly woven ink splotch or the “w” in “bindweed.” What a thrill it was. Thank you!
Sending best wishes for you and your family.


Comments are closed.
    Picture

    ​Sarah C Swett 
    tells stories
    with
    ​ and about

     hand spun yarn. 


    Picture
    Click for info on
    my four selvedge
    warping class
    with
    ​ Rebecca Mezoff  
    fringeless


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