Weaving: A Story
- Feb 17, 2016
- 2 min read
In 2010 I lived in Argentina for three months. I lived with two extremely talented artisans that, among many other skills, knew how to weave. And that is where this story begins.
I was in Argentina as a volunteer, part of a program I had signed up for while doing my BA. Unfortunately, it didn't quite work out as planned so I found odd jobs to do in my time there and in my free time stumbled into the art of weaving.
The first time I wove it was a disaster, I pulled everything too tight + cinched in all the wrong places. Did I mention I was being taught in Spanish? That added an entirely new level of learning on this journey into the unknown. Until very recently I didn't know what any of the parts of a weaving or loom were called in English, I knew it as tejido.
To be honest, I didn't weave anything until this past year. I came home with evidence + tales of my new skill but was too intimidated to try it again because I didn't think I had the proper tools. Then I opened my mind and realized I could use simple household items.
And using these same household items you can come and learn the traditional plain weave with a few fun tricks thrown in here + there in our very own small town.
If you're thinking to yourself, "I'm not artistic or creative, I can't do this. You're crazy!" prepare to be amazed (by your own skills!). I don't come from an artistic background. Full disclosure, my degree is in politics. I didn't take art classes in highschool, my creativity was always a curiosity that I didn't explore. So when I arrived in Argentina I brought zero experience with me and yet I was floored by the beauty of the pieces I could create (aside from that first attempt ;). I dare you to give it a try.
Maybe your final product will look awful - you never know. But the art of weaving is like a form of meditation and working with textiles of any sort is wonderfully appealing (all of the textures + soft things = heart eyes emoji). Best of all, you get to take your tools home with you so that you can continue practicing and creating!
Come and explore your creativity + learn the art of weaving, meet some new folks + enjoy some tasty snacks. I promise you won't regret it, because even if you hate it at least you can say you tried something new :)
All of these beautiful photos taken by Samantha Vessios.
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