Avalanche Looms

About me

Weaving Since

1981

Kinds of weaving

rustic, plainweave, rag rugs, linen transparencies, paper, and rya

Pets? Kids?

3 excellent children, one pretty good cat

Favorite Color

no favorites

Favorite Fiber

linen

State/Province

Wisconsin

Website or blog

http://avalanchelooms.blogspot.com/

About me

I am a design weaver and storekeeper. Avalanche Looms in SW Wisconsin is my retail store and weaving studio. I taught myself to weave on an antique Norwegian barn loom, in 1981, just after my oldest daughter was born. I wove on that loom this morning. Since I began to weave, I have acquired several (7) more floor looms.

Plainweave is my favorite, linen and cotton my favorite warps. I am most inspired by Scandinavian design, and Japanese textiles, both traditional and contemporary.

I love to weave rag. I think it offers new weavers, and old, unlimited possibilities for color, texture and design. There is an abundant supply of rag to weave. Rag weave is often woven of woven fabrics, of deconstructed articles of clothing, and household textiles consigned to the rag bag. It is full of history, emotion, and imagination. It can be, and often is, art.

Linen is my next favorite to weave. Followed by paper yarn. Linen loves light. It is lustrous. It grows well in long daylight of short Scandinavian summers. As yarn it gives back that light into winter darkness. I weave linen window weaves and transparencies (banners and ribbons). Paper yarn is stiff, and well, papery. I love to find ways to use it.

I love good coffee, and good conversation. Enough.

Susan Johnson / Avalanche Looms