Designer Spotlight Blog Post – Astrid Tauber
Welcome back to our new Designer Spotlight Blog! This week's feature is from the amazing Astrid Tauber! Astrid has been making big waves in the weaving world the last few years. And she is only 15! Read her story here, written in her own words, and see what Astrid has plans for next! Please note that all the pictures shown here are the property of the designer.
Meet the designer Astrid Tauber!
Tell Us About Yourself
My name is Astrid Tauber, and I am a 15-year-old weaver, spinner, and garment maker. I make all things large and small from my handwoven fabrics from boots to gowns. With every new idea, I try to create a learning experience out of the process. Whether it’s finer threads, a new structure, or an odd new component to throw in the mix I want to explore that new idea and bring its challenges to life. I was recently asked what the most challenging project I’ve ever worked on was. Typically, it is my current project. I am always adding new and intricate elements to my work because I love trying new things.
How did you get started in weaving?
My first foray into the world of fiber was with crochet. When I was seven, I took a Joann’s Summer Camp and learned crochet, knitting, and sewing basics. I loved crochet and sewing, but knitting never quite took. When I was nine, I took a workshop at Carolina Fiber Fest with Julie Wilson who was kind enough to let me attend even though I was well below the minimum age requirement. My mom came as a chaperone, and I needed a special chair in order to reach the treadles on the Lendrum I learned on.
Not long after that, I got a Schacht Cricket Loom for Christmas, and some members of the local guild I belonged to in North Carolina got together during a meeting to show me how to warp it. That was in January of 2020, and we all know how that year developed! Once we were quarantined, I spent all my time watching Kelly Casanova’s videos. I am homeschooled and Kelly is a homeschool mom. At one point I rigged my little Schacht rigid heddle loom to be a 4-shaft loom. I was hooked and immediately shopped for an 8-shaft table loom.
Later, I learned from a member of my guild in Austin, Texas about Jane Stafford’s online weaving school. I joined that very day and began researching which floor loom to purchase. The online resources and guild support have been essential to my growth as an artist.
What Looms Do You Use?
I have an 8.10 Schacht Wolf Pup that is my market and demo loom. It folds and it is as portable as a floor loom can be. I upgraded the wheels to the stroller which makes it easier to move. I also have an 8-shaft Ashford Jack loom. It came with magical powers because Kate Sherratt (yes - THE Ashford Kate) used that exact loom for demo work in the when she was in the U.S. It was on consignment at Eugene Textile Center, and I absolutely love it! Finally, just last year, I purchased a brand new Louet Megado Compu-dobby with 32 shafts and 51” weaving width. The design potential is incredible, and I know I have only begun to scratch the surface of what it can do.
Special Tools for Weaving?
So many! I love small gadgets that are life hacks for weavers. Lofty Fibers 3D prints Helping Hands that hold my lease sticks while I am winding on. They also 3D printed little “stoppers” for the edges of the castle on the Megado loom. The castle is flat and doesn’t have a “rim” on the edge, so things fall off from the movement and vibration of the loom. The little stoppers are awesome! I also bought some 3D printed beater holders from Ginger Locks Handwoven. They give me a place to rest the beater while I am threading. They’re super convenient.
I would also be lost without my end delivery shuttles!! There are several options and they’re kind of pricey, so I didn’t want to pick the “wrong” one for me and then not absolutely love it. I finally decided on the Schacht 12” end delivery shuttle, and it is perfect for all threads large and small.
Favorite Weave Structure?
Unfortunately, I have no good answer to this question. Maybe I haven't found a favorite or maybe every structure is my favorite. My current structure to play with is Summer and Winter with simple Twills worked into the ties and Bronson Lace on 32 shafts. However, I do find my curiosity growing towards things like polychrome summer and winter, double weave tessellations, and overshot profile block substitutions.
Favorite Lunatic Fringe Yarns Product?
Without a doubt the 260/2 Tussah Silk - in the GevolveYarns Collection. I love fine fibers, and I just keep going thinner and thinner. Truth be told, I haven’t even worked with it yet! I have a few cones worth that should be on the loom in coming months. Honorable mention for my favorite LFY product would be the adorable Hoppy Bunny Pattern.
Who or What Inspires You and Your Work?
Everything and anything! If you looked at my Pinterest boards, you’d find everything from French passementerie to Madame Gres to Victorian fashion “trends.” My ADHD brain is a little bit like a pinball ball that has just been launched, so my inspiration and interests are very broad.
Why Do You Weave?
I started weaving because I learned to spin, and I had a huge stash of fine handspun building up. It didn’t really jive with crocheting for me and a fellow fiber artist suggested I try weaving. Once I got the hang of it, I was in love. Now I weave because my brain spends 95% of my waking thoughts on weave structures, draft design, and fashion that can be created with handwoven. I have more ideas than I have time. I can’t get enough!
What Are You Up To?
This is a tough question because we are in a bit of a transition as a family. We are moving out of the United States this month and will travel for a bit before we fully settle down again. We enjoy periodic intervals of nomad life, so I am excited to see where our adventures take us.
Some top destinations on my bucket list are…
- #1 The International Leather Fair in Italy! At first that might not sound terribly weaving related, but I pair leather with my handwoven when I make shoes. So, I’d love to go explore and learn more.
- #2 Fondazione Arte della Seta Lisio Firenze! They offer velvet and brocade classes on Jacquard looms, and I am extremely curious about the more traditional and technical aspects of Italian textiles.
- #3 Shetland Wool Week! Just last night while my mom and I were waiting for our dinner we were looking at AirBnB places on Shetland for the 2025 event. Apparently, accommodations book up super early, so I am getting a jumpstart on my planning.
- #4 American Academy of Bookbinding! I have a dream of learning to make books using a combination of my handwoven fabric, leather, and gold tooling on the spines. Iam keeping my eyes peeled for their 2025 class schedule.
- #5 Central Saint Martins! Central Saint Martins is a college within the University of the Arts in London. They offer summer programsand I’d love to attend one about shoemaking or portfolio design.
- #6 Praxis Digital Weaving Lab! While I love studying weaving books from 100+ years ago, I am also keen to see how younger artists with modern flair are using new weaving technologies as an expressive art form as opposed to the more traditional scholarly styles that I tend to lean towards.
- #7 Graduating from The Cut! This December (2024), I’ll be graduating with a 2-year diploma from The Cut Design Academy in Vancouver. I have already taken pattern design, but this semester I am focusing on how to digitize my patterns in Gerber design software.
Is There Anything Else You Would Like to Share?
I am a night owl! My brain really kicks into gear around 7pm. Given the choice, I’d be completely nocturnal. Unfortunately, the rest of the world operates during the day and sometimes I have to join it. But if you want the best of me…. find me at 3am!
Last Question...Cake or Pie?
Pie!
Thanks Astrid!
Wow! We can't wait to see what you come up with next, and where life is going to take you! If you would like to know more about Astrid, you can click on the links below and visit her on social media to see what she is up to!
Blog/website: www.eweniqueastrid.com
Note: Astrid's website has been down for a few days...Astrid is working on it, so check back to see if it is up and running! We will update the link when it is live again.
Instagram page: instagram.com/eweniqeastrid
This is a wonderful interview and I hope I can used parts of it in a program I am doing on “the nature of discovery”. Astrid’s curiosity and ‘where can I go with this’ attitude are so much a part of what I will be talking about. Her pursuit of everything fiber/weaving is perfect.
You are welcome to use parts of this interview for your program. Please let your readers know where you saw this information!
Wow! The future of weaving is in great hands! Beautiful work, Astrid! I can’t wait to see what you do next.
Astrid, you are incredible and I love your work. You are such a bright light!