BEHIND THE SCENES
A LOOK INTO MY CREATIVE PROCESS & ARTISTIC APPROACH
WEAVING:
A HISTORY OF THE LOOM
The earliest record of loom use dates to around the 5th millennium BC. These primitive looms were constructed of simple beams and bars to form a framework that supported the manipulation of warp and weft threads. The overall function of the loom remained virtually unchanged, but improvements were introduced in Europe and Asia during the medieval era. By 1500, The Navajo tribes were weaving vibrant blankets and rugs made from their abundant supply of sheep wool. With the ability to incorporate intricate stripes and various geometric shapes with color, the traditional loom was once again advancing. By 1700, the Jacquard loom with its punch card and guided hook system, reinvented the textile industry, deeming itself one the most important inventions of the Industrial Revolution.
"Tie-Up" refers to the map or draft used to create a weave structure
THE STUDIO & LOOMS
Tie-Up Textiles originated in the suburbs of Philadelphia but has since relocated to Wilmington, Delaware due to considerable growth. The studio currently produces woven fabric on five various floor looms ranging from two-shaft through eight-shaft models. My collection includes the original, founding Norwood loom, two eight-shaft Loüet David's, a small Saori Piccolo collapsible metal frame loom, and a traditional four-shaft Harrisville Designs loom.
The Norwood loom is constructed from cherrywood with a convenient collapsible option for saving space between projects. It is a four-shaft rising shed loom with a 28" weaving width. Now considered an antique, Norwood's originated in Cadillac, MI by a furniture maker during the Great Depression. By 1996, all American-made production of these magnificent little looms had ceased. To come across them now in good working condition is quite rare.
Between the spring of 2023 and winter of 2026, the studio obtained its most recently added three looms to expand commission availability and assist with rising demand.
I’m honored to be housing such incredible pieces of equipment. My entire collection has come from art school loom sales and former weavers who have closed their businesses. From Albany, New York to Charleston, Maine, Tie-Up Textiles has traveled far and wide to make this little studio come to life.
PIGMENT & THE ART OF SHIBORI
Shiboru, which translates to the wringing, squeezing, or pressing of cloth originated as a Japanese art form. This fabric manipulation technique is created by stitching or twisting the cloth to create various areas of resist. In other words, areas within the cloth that are both exposed to pigment or bound so tightly, the fabric remains undyed. This style of pigment dyeing is very popular with indigo and is still practiced globally today.
Tie-Up Textiles’ yardage collection consists of Shibori-dyed cloth that has been digitally manipulated and recreated for an endless array of plug-in colorways and textures. An advantage to this digitized method of production is the ability to significantly reduce water waste by printing the designs vs the traditional method of hand dying and washing the fabric. My line of designer-grade fabrics is printed on Belgium linen and uses water-based pigment inks, which are known for their eco-friendly properties.
THE MAKING
OF A COLLECTION
I’ve always felt it important as an artist to learn as much as I can about my industry and regularly look for new ways to learn more. I take my research and work seriously and feel most fulfilled knowing I possess the knowledge to cultivate an art business focused on fewer, better products.
A unique detail that is consistent throughout my creative process and body of work is that each of my designs begin with fabric and result in an altered version of fabric.
The motifs found within the yardage collection are engineered renderings from my woven and dyed swatches. Each has been scanned and cleaned up digitally for continuous yardage, which has allowed my micro business to scale to the interior design and architectural professional fields.
MINDFUL CONSUMPTION
MATTERS
In today’s world, there are endless options available to us at any given moment; all competing for the same opportunity to catch our interest and fulfill a temporary dopamine rush. When it comes to the textile industry, we’re especially at fault. There is no doubt an abundance of low-cost, pretty products.
Our societal need to over-consume is a topic I explore in my own life regularly and enjoy practicing rituals and implementing daily standards for living more mindfully. This same notion is applied to Tie-Up Textiles and often determines my sourcing and selling ethics within my business model.
When purchasing my work, hours of studio time have gone into weaving the fabric, investing in raw materials, and fabricating an entire line of homewares all within my small Delaware studio. No portion of my production process is outsourced, and I only partner with industry-leading companies that share this same passion. While I understand that my specialty items may not be accessible to every household, I have consciously built a line with a wide range of price points, welcoming all to experience quality decor.
