Handwoven Scarf of Hand-dyed Silk, Merino, and Pure Cotton, Historical Overshot Pattern

$229.00
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1-2

About this Product

Soft and luxurious, this scarf is reminiscent of the famous Colonial Coverlets, but thoroughly modern in execution. Although the scarf is light and flowing, it is warm … probably not Ontario-winter warm, but warm enough for more temperate climates. The silk shimmers subtly, and the zephyr ebony merino-silk blend adds incredible softness. The warp (lengthwise threads) is simple, 100% cotton. The weft (crosswise) threads are where the magic begins. Every thread alternates between the ultra-soft merino-silk blend, and a fine, hand-dyed silk thread. The silk thread, originally called Old Man's Beard (after the lichen that grows in the Pacific North West), is hand-dyed on Salt Spring Island in British Columbia. The unbleached cotton warp muted the color to a soft, shimmering almost mint color.. Dimensions: 14 inches wide, about 72 inches long, including fringe. Hand wash lukewarm or cold, use only wool-approved gentle soap. Lay flat to dry. The wool might felt if unduly agitated. Press with a warm steam iron, if necessary. For those of you who enjoy a historical context, Overshot was brought to Canada and the Untied States by northern European settlers and became quite the craze in the mid-eighteenth century. Coverlets made in overshot during the Colonial era are priceless finds in antique shops. The pattern is sometimes scorned as “too pioneer” for a lot of modern weavers, but Jane Stafford, who teaches weaving through her online guild, teaches us that a modern take on old weave structures can be a lot of fun.

The Woven Cat

Ferndale, CA

Meet the Maker

Meet Cat Tillotson, the creative force behind The Woven Cat. Cat's not your average textile artist - she's a time-traveling weaver with a loom in one hand and a history book in the other. Spinning tales (and yarn) from her studio, Cat crafts apparel and home textiles that would make both your great-grandma and your trendy neighbor swoon.

With a passion for all things natural and sustainable, Cat sources materials so local, they practically walk into her workshop themselves. She's been known to sweet-talk silk moths, negotiate with sheep, and whisper to cotton plants to create her luxurious, eco-friendly masterpieces.

When she's not recreating textile fragments that Indiana Jones might covet, Cat's dyeing with organic indigo. Her pieces blend historical inspiration with modern flair, resulting in wearable art that's part artifact, part fashion statement.

So whether you're looking to drape yourself in history or just want a kitchen towel that could pass as a museum piece, The Woven Cat has got you covered - literally!

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How it’s Made

This scarf, and its sister the Peacock scarf, started with stickies i use in planning. Then i select just the right yarns for the drape and weight of the project. Next is measuring out hundreds of threads that will be the lengthwise structure of the scarf. Then each thread goes through several steps to get spaced out and wound onto the loom for weaving. Next, it’s the crosswise threads, which are wound onto bobbins and placed in shuttles. Finally, the treadles under the loom get tied up to the individual shafts to rise and fall, creating the textile. Then the weavin - that’s the quick fun part. At long last, there are the finishing steps, washing, pressing, and hand twisting fringe or sewing hems. And there you have it! One handwoven scarf (or towel, or whatever). I try to add pictures of the piece in progress in the listing pictures, for those who like to see.

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