J288 The Journal for WSD

A sense of place: Frankie Owen’s shed

2. Meditative qualities Sarah Neubert describes how weaving helped her and others manage anxiety. She references Csikszentmihalyi’s theory on ‘flow’ to describe a balance between sufficient skills and a degree of challenge so that the craftsperson is lost in the moment, concentrating on the process of making. The repetitive movements of weaving can be particularly calming. Riley describes a priest who felt the rhythm of weaving was more effective than the repetition of a mantra. 3. Membership of a community Being with people who have a similar interest and sharing ideas and skills, enables a sense of belonging and acceptance. It is also an opportunity to learn from and about the masters of the craft. WSD Guilds may have over 50 members meeting regularly. There are also groups of weavers on social media. 4. An affinity for the materials and tools of weaving and a sense of place Many weavers have a family background in textile crafts and may knit, spin and crochet as well as weave. They enjoy the feel and colour of the yarn. Atwater used bright yarns to engage her army veterans, bringing colour into their drab lives. Weaving involves tools – lots of them! The feel and weight of a particular shuttle can be endlessly debated. Weaving can also be a very physical activity: warping, dressing the loom, weaving using levers or treadles, winding shuttles. Unlike

many textile crafts, it is not usually a lap activity and not so portable. However, the static nature of a larger loom can also be a benefit as it gives a sense of place which belongs to the weaver: it may be a corner of the dining room, a whole room given over to the activity or a shed in the garden. 5. A sense of self These aspects of weaving contribute towards a feeling of self confidence – even a description "I am a weaver"– and a sense of belonging to a community of like-minded people. There are opportunities to learn new skills and find ways to focus on creativity rather than anxiety. Conclusion Handloom weaving was initially the main method of producing cloth but as fabric production moved into the factories, hand weaving continued as a craft both professionally and as a leisure activity. It also became a major method of treatment used in hospitals for over 100 years. Some psychiatric hospitals had weaving rooms and most had table and floor looms available for therapy. It was a recognised form of rehabilitation for those injured in war. The psychological and social benefits may have been less recognised in the following years, but there is now a growing recognition of the value of textile crafts in enhancing wellbeing. Many WSD Guilds are thriving so there is a quiet awareness of the value of weaving, spinning and dyeing which could be promoted more widely.

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Journal for Weavers, Spinners and Dyers 288, Winter 2023