Beth Ross Johnson is weaver, teacher and workshop leader living in Black Mountain, NC. She learned initially from Norman Kennedy’s students, later studying with him for many workshops. She has an MFA from Georgia State University and has had two extensive stays in Japan to study kasuri (ikat weaving and dyeing) and sakiori (rag weaving) with master weavers there. Recent studies have been in the ikat traditions of Europe and woven structures like sashiko-ori and kasuri-ori.
Nature of Order
Christopher Alexander is an architect known for his book A Pattern Language that stresses life and wholeness in architecture. But one of his design inspirations are Turkish carpets. His analysis of design inspired by nature, architecture, and textiles comes full circle to give workers in textiles new ways of looking at composition and color. Learn about his Fifteen Fundamental Properties applied to two and three dimensional design and color. And take a step out of the way you usually work to begin to balance the intuitive and technical aspects of your work.
Weaving Sashiko-Ori
Sashiko refers to several Japanese styles of stitching used to reinforce, repair, or embellish textiles. The linear designs of the hitomezashi style lends itself to the woven structure and these and other woven structures based on sashiko are called Sashiko Ori. These patterns have a lot to offer hand weavers to explore. Learn a little about the history of sashiko and sashiko ori in Japan, look at contemporary and ancient examples of these structures, and get a start on designing your own patterns for weaving.