Long Thread Podcast: Jennifer Williams

A lifelong crafter, Jennifer B. Williams had tried a wide variety of fiber techniques, but she felt something fall into place the first time she sat down to a lesson at an inkle loom. “It was the strangest thing to me. When I started inkle weaving, I started thinking through inkle,” she says. Delicate bracelets, origami fish, flip-flop straps? Absolutely! Joining bands edge to edge, folding strips into new shapes, and exploring drape and density, the formal confines of narrow warp-faced bands just spark new ideas for her to explore.

Although the term “inkle” arose in the sixteenth century to describe a narrow linen tape, some form of band-making developed around the world where something needed tying, lashing, embellishing, cinching or any of the other uses for a durable piece of cloth. Jennifer has studied bandweaving methods from Japan and Africa, finding inspiration in contemporary Yoruba aso-oke weaving and other warp-faced plain-weave techniques.

Though her brain has a unique affinity for bandweaving, Jennifer loves to share her knowledge and excitement with students at all levels, using her inkle-first weaving education to help teach effectively.

Links

Find Jennifer B. Williams online at the Inkled Pink website or on Instagram.
Jennifer documented her daily band practice on Instagram as @dailybandpractice.
Jennifer’s patterns for Easy Weaving with Little Looms are available through the Library.
Jennifer’s detailed tutorial appears on her website. See Jennifer’s process for making origami goldfish.
The Braid Society’s website includes details of conferences and exhibitions.
The Weaver's Inkle Pattern Directory: 400 Warp-Faced Weaves by Anne Dixon is available from many weaving stores.
Inkle by Evelyn Neher is available from used book sources.
Aso-oke weaver Muhammed Abdulrasheed Abiodun practices and teaches traditional Yoruba weaving techniques.

This episode is brought to you by:

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