Hands to Work Textiles

Heirloom-quality textiles for the home, handwoven in Western Massachusetts by Emily F. Gwynn. 

As Hands to Work Textiles, I specialize in weaving heirloom-quality textiles for the home, with a focus on table linens.

Handweaving in general, and the weaving of functional objects in particular, can sometimes seem out of touch with contemporary life. In fact, the practice of making cloth by hand keeps us grounded and in touch with our human history and our ancestors. I studied weaving in the Scandinavian tradition and use a Swedish-style loom, which is technologically  indistinguishable from what weavers were using a millennia ago. I work primarily with cotton, linen and wool, all fibers that would be familiar to weavers of the past.

In today’s world, fabric and textiles can seem almost too commonplace, and too disposable, to be noticed at all. My goal as a weaver is to elevate everyday textiles to a place where they can be not just looked at, but seen. Once seen, they can inspire feelings of comfort, joy, serenity and peace. These are some of the feelings that I have as I sit at my loom and build a fabric, thread by thread, moment by moment. When a client purchases something from me, it is more than just a napkin or tablecloth; it is a record of moments, woven into cloth.