Our Design Process

Our product design process begins with an idea.   New products can be inspired by current fashions, historical research, or current trends in handwoven items.  Diane and Dan maintain a strong foundation of classic design in their inventory, but branch out into contemporary designs - most frequently with garments.   Visiting yarn and fabric shops throughout Indiana and Kentucky, they also let the availability of different fibers, yarns and fabrics push their design process.  Attending handweaving and fiber conferences each year, they speak with other artisans and view the work of their peers in order to stretch their own design horizons.

Once in the studio, fleeting ideas of possible garments, products and color combinations are shaped into a final design for the warp based on the fiber inventory, loom availability and upcoming shows.   Diane and Dan build and dress the looms with warps based on the fabric requirements for garments or household items.  Each warp is wound on and installed thread by thread.  Once the warp is completed, they wind bobbins with the weft threads to create vibrant colors and varying textures for each unique piece.   Rather than use computer assisted design or automated production methods, like an AVL loom, Dan and Diane craft each piece by hand throughout the warping and handweaving process, using their hands to insure consistency of weft, placement of threads and the pressure of the beater bar to build their products thread by thread.

Once the planned fabric is woven, it is unwound from the loom and ready for assembly.  Household items like placemats and rugs are hand finished with knotting and/or hemming.  For garments, Diane hand-washes the fabric and begins building each unique garment in the sewing room.  Additional finishing touches like hand-crocheting, knitting or additional beading complete each piece before it is ready for display and sale.