Totsie Weaves Gallery

I began weaving Saori-inspired textiles in 2013 when I retired from my web design business. My first loom was a Japanese Saori. When I decided to learn 4 shaft weaving I got a LeClerc Artistat loom and then I got a Louet David loom, then I enjoyed an 8 shaft Macomber loom that is 45" wide which gave me more options than I had time to investigate but each project is full of interest and learning. I was living in a small pueblo called Vilcabamba in the Southern Andes of Ecuador. I have since moved to Colombia and after selling all of my weaving equipment I began painting in 2025.

In my weaving I used wool and acrylic but I prefer to weave in cotton. Since there was not a good supply of commercial cotton yarn in my area I grew white and brown cotton in my garden. I also bought raw cotton from other locals. The cotton is spun by several different women in this region which used to have a cotton industry. I also dyed the threads to suit the project in indigo, natural dyes and commercial dyes.