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The Work of Weaver Teresa Kennard

I'm sure you've seen, as have I, garments made from one-of-a-kind fabrics. They're often fairly simple in shape - ponchos come to mind - so it was a huge treat to see some of the work of my student Teresa Kennard the other day at a class in Denver. Her garments are detailed, well thought-out, and beautifully put together.

Teresa's an award-winning weaver - her work has been featured countless times in Handwoven Magazine and in juried exhibitions. Her list of awards is long, and most recently, her work was chosen for a very prestigious exhibit in Sweden. Clearly, she's awfully good at what she does.

During the class, she worked on a dress woven from this fabric....the fiber content is wool and stainless steel, amazingly enough. It was beautifully light and pretty cooperative - we backed it with silk organza to lend a little bit of gentle stability behind-the-scenes. All I can tell you about the design is that it was beautifully draped....and I'd show you the dress, but it's being entered in a competition, so that will have to wait!

Here's another beautiful fabric she's woven.

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Susan Khalje, contributor
Posted on Oct 10th, 2011 in design, fabric, embellishments

Comments (14)

SusanKhalje writes: I know - the thought of sleeping in something so lovely! But, I have to say, the fabric - which combined wool with cashmere - was very, very soft.
And the Denver class was one of my Couture Sewing School sessions - it wasn't a class for weaving or dyeing. Teresa just happened to be in the class, using a fabric she'd woven (and occasionally I get students who have done that). I was so fascinated with the wool and stainless steel fabric that I asked her to show me more of her work....so that's how it all came about. And interestingly, another student happened to have a stash of antique kimono fabrics and antique Japanese stencils...so that added to the experience, too. Very synergistic!!!
Posted: 11:19 am on October 13th

Carly_Sue writes: What talent! I love her ideas and her work is so beautiful.
Posted: 7:50 pm on October 12th

saifonanaya writes: It's very nice and lovely I like the print thanks for shering.
Posted: 12:10 pm on October 12th

damselfly_ca writes: So nice to see a weaver get some attention from sewers! The paste resist technique is called "katazome" in Japan. For more details, the delightful John Marshall is the expert in the US - http://www.johnmarshall.to/
Posted: 11:26 am on October 12th

FabricEnabler writes: The stencils interested me the most. I am adept at cutting stencils, but had not thought of doing large ones. These stencil would make a definite eye catching design element.
Posted: 9:55 am on October 12th

Snikwas writes: The whole thing is quite wonderful - the attention to detail great.
I just can't imagine actually sleeping in such a garment for two reasons:-
a) Not wanting to spoil it!
b) Even THAT fine wool next to the skin must be very uncomfortable!

Posted: 12:14 am on October 12th

kathis writes: Wow! What beautiful work! Many years ago I took a weaving class in college so I have a little understanding of just how much talent and work goes into weaving such fine cloth.
Posted: 11:47 pm on October 11th

KRINGLE0207 writes: Ditto re question on classes in Denver -- I cant' find anything of this quality.
Posted: 10:33 pm on October 11th

Carolebarrel writes: Beautiful but can you imagine sleeping in such a beautiful garment? Made for a honeymoon perhaps?
Posted: 8:53 pm on October 11th

RStaff49 writes: The Fabric and the designs are beautiful. This is an interesting introduction to the technique and the artist. You mentioned a class in Denver. May I ask where the class was presented?
Posted: 6:25 pm on October 11th

sbsford writes: Lovely stuff. Interesting techniques and a joy to look at.
Posted: 5:16 pm on October 11th