Nat Dye: Island Weaving

by Hannah Ruth Levi

The design of this weaving is dependent on the threading structure, similar to the American Symbol craft and the grid referenced in the artists’ Ellen Lesperance and Diane Simpson work. It is also based on Summer/Winter weavings, a style which includes threading two “blocks” which create a double-sided fabric with inverted colors.  Summer and Winter weave structure is often seen in coverlets made in Scandinavia and by the Pennsylvania Dutch. The name comes from the reversible nature of the textile, traditionally two dominant colors, one light side (for summer) and one dark (for winter). 

The weaving is comprised of Lopi wool dyed with plants collected from Whidbey Island: Blackberry for the blue/purples, Alder cones for the deep tan/brown, Young fern for light tan, Nettle for dusty blue/grey, and Butterfly bush for chartreuse/yellow.

Dimensions: 36 x 68 in.

Material: Lopi wool

Textile-artist Hannah Ruth Levi uses weaving as a physical means to explore concepts of the planned versus the adapted. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Levi received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington in 2011. She currently splits her time between Seattle and Whidbey Island.

 Read about Hannah Ruth Levi here