Gill Back tisserande

Gill Back bio: I started handweaving after I was given a large 1930’s Harris floor loom and that was the beginning of my love affair with weaving!

I now have my own studio in France, where I have lived for the last 18 years. I produce a certain amount of my own wool yarn from a small flock of sheep and handspin and dye wool and silk. Sometimes I go for a completely natural effect/product and use organically produced yarns and natural plant dyes but I do also buy commercially produced silk and luxury yarns like cashmere.

Most of what I produce are ‘one-offs’ and I certainly don’t do production runs as I enjoy the challenge of designing new patterns and textures and experimenting with colour combinations.

For the scarves and shawls I usually work with silk, from very fine shantung to a thicker handspun with colours ranging from lovely golden natural tussah to a myriad of jewel bright colours. For other items like napkins and cushions I use cotton, linen and wool as appropriate.

All the scarves and shawls are handwoven by me on a floor loom. I prefer to use natural fibres, especially silk, but also use cashmere, alpaca, linen and cotton. Sometimes the yarn is handspun by me and I dye most of the silk myself. Each item is individually designed with much thought and care so you can be sure that anything you buy is totally unique.