Designer Spotlight Blog Post – Jaimee Veronneau Roberts
Welcome back to another Designer Spotlight Blog! This week we have a treat for you! Jaimee Veronneau Roberts is a vibrant weaver whom we have come to know through her online presence at The Dog and Pony Show. We admire her sense of color and ability to produce vibrant fabrics. In between designing projects, she is dedicated to sharing her love of weaving by teaching at the Rhode Island Weaving Center and being an enthusiastic member of the Weaver's Guild of Rhode Island. Without further ado, here is Jaimee Veronneau Roberts!
Please note that all photos are used with Jaimee's permission, and all the photos belong entirely to her.
Meet Jaimee Veronneau Roberts!
Tell us about yourself.
I feel like a relatively new weaver 8 years in, but textiles have been and will always be a lifelong study for me. I pinpoint my interest and love of bright, eye-catching fabrics to wearing a Catholic School uniform from Kindergarten through High School. The drab uniformity made me want to express myself outside of school in sparkling colors and one-of-a-kind pieces. I started vintage shopping with my older siblings and haven’t stopped 30 years later!
I love designing patterns, weaving yardage, and using my sewing skills to create vibrant, singular pieces for myself, my home, and hopefully more shows and sales. I turn my textiles into accessories, patches, chessboards, wall art and whatever I think of next! Every weaving of mine is tackled like a design school project - mood boards, books with lots of shredded paper bookmarks, detailed notes on a crazy assortment of paper, poorly drawn renderings, and deadlines.
I weave at home and at The Saunderstown Weaving School with Norma Smayda. At my house, we converted our living room into my studio space that holds all of my sewing machines, fabric collection, looms, and yarns. I make a habit of getting up early everyday to get in there- whether it be cleaning up, getting a few inches of weaving in, or starting a hemming project. Even just 20 minutes in my studio gets me energized to dive back in after getting the kids out the door. It sets the tone and helps me stay focused all day.
How Did You Get Started?
I signed up for my first weaving class in 2017, at a time when I really needed something that was just for me. After five years as a stay-at-home mom, I started to feel like I was losing pieces of myself. Since studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology for Apparel Design, I always liked taking an extra side class- screen printing, crochet (which I still can't do!), wreath-making- I figured weaving would be another rabbit in my hat. That first weaving class I took was on a rigid heddle loom at a local yarn shop: The Mermaid’s Purl (I love shouting out local businesses!). Almost immediately my brain started thinking about more shafts, more colors, and the endless rainbow of possibilities. That led to a Continuing Education class at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) with Susan Sklarek. Outside of multi-shaft loom setup, Susan pushed the idea that the weft can really be anything. I used silicone children’s toys, painted bubble wrap, sewn crepe paper, and feathers as weft to create bananas weavings. I have those pieces hanging up right next to my loom to remind myself to be inventive, imaginative and surprising.
Since 2018, I have been weaving at The Saunderstown Weaving School with Norma Smayda. Norma is a walking encyclopedia of weaving, has an unbelievable library, and a drive to spread weaving education. At her school, I’m trying to tick off all of the structure boxes. I just finished up a rep weave table runner and am now threading a large waffle weave wall hanging. The Monday night weaving class at SWS hosts a mean potluck, sparks great conversation weekly, and is each other's cheerleaders. I'm very lucky to have found a super weaving gang.
I’m truly thankful I signed up for that first weaving class and carved out that time to explore my hobbies. It led me on an entirely new, electrifying path. I know I’m a better parent when I’m proud of myself and the work I do beyond my family—it energizes me and makes me more present for them, too. Hopefully, my experience encourages others to sign up for that class, workshop, or online lecture!
What Looms Do You Have?
I have a beautiful 10 shaft cherry Fireside Loom (which is pretty much a piece of art itself), a ’new to me’ 24 shaft Toika EEVA, a sweet little 4 shaft Dorset, and about 6 small metal 4 shaft Structo looms. I’m hoping to teach a beginner class with the Structo looms someday. Add it my endless To Do/ Ideas List!
Favorite Weave Structure?
Doubleweave pickup!!! I love having the ability to control the color and pattern so much in a specific space. I think anyone in any fiber arts looks at double weave and is like ‘how’d that get there?!?!?’ I love the mystery it holds and the puzzle it presents in the design process. Jennifer Moore's book is my go-to!
Favorite Lunatic Fringe products?
Obviously, I love Lunatic Fringe Yarns’ bold color selection, but also your cotton’s lustrous sheen. My favorites are 10/2 or 5/2 Tubular Spectrum™ Mercerized Cotton in Verbena and 10 Red Purple. I love the 10 Red Purple because is it hot pink or red? At my weaving class, it's a heated debate!
I just ordered GevolveYarns™ Abigail Gimp Yarn in a few colors. The colors are so unique for a sparkle accent, can't wait to try them!
Do You Use a Special Tool That You Can't Weave Without?
I did a Top 6 here because all these things get me in the right mindset to sit, focus, and get some work done.
- Vintage Lee overalls with a built-in apron- I have lil’ snippers, heddle hooks, seam rippers, and pencils ready to grab and go.
- Purple Schacht Shuttle- my ‘treat yo’ self’ shuttle!
- My bobbin winder that was my grandmother's 70's sewing machine- I traded my friend Jeff some sewing work for his mechanical expertise. He told me he painted the box holding the motor with the brightest paint he had in his garage. The orange bobbin winder makes me smile every time I look at it.
- Post-it Notes- I leave myself a lot of little love notes about where I left off, don’t forgets, did you think offs?
- An FIT Necklace- a 72” tape measure always around your neck and always in a fun color.
- Music, History Podcasts, or Audiobooks- always with headphones to help me cancel out everything else!
What Inspires You?
There are so many people who have shaped and motivated what I strive to achieve as an artist and teacher, but a few women stand out.
First, Mary Quant and the Youthquake culture were pivotal. Her fearless innovation, spirit of collaboration, and the vibrant commotion she sparked in fashion led me to move to London and study there. She was self-taught and a true visionary, not just in aesthetics, but in understanding materials and how to bring bold ideas to the market. That kind of creative courage stays with me.
Closer to home, Barbara Kling. My mom’s best friend and also the mother of my best friend, had a huge influence. She was a ceramicist who worked out of her home, teaching classes, and selling at local craft fairs. Her beautiful artwork was just intertwined in their life. I still cherish the holiday pieces she made. They fill me with love and nostalgia every time I unbox them. I hope someday my weavings carry that same kind of warmth for the people I love.
Lately, I’ve been immersed in Otti Berger: Weaving for Modernist Architecture by Judith Raum and the Bauhaus-Archiv Berlin. The book itself is striking - a gorgeous green color, chock full of photos and bigger than life (physically and in the font and layout). I was lucky to see Berger’s work at Harvard Art Museums’ Artisanal Modernism show. I’m inspired by her commitment to both beauty and utility in her art, and how much she pushed the limits of the art form in her tragically short life.
And of course, my family. I could never have such a time-consuming, tedious trade without their support. I'm lucky we can always find a playground within 2 miles of every art show and guild meeting I drag them to!
Why Do You Weave?
At a particularly low point in my early 20’s, I recognized the joy and confidence I gained from completing a project with my hands. I’ve been following that feeling ever since. It inspired me to transfer colleges, study abroad, invest in big, new tools, and shoot for the moon. Weaving makes me trust my eye, believe in my talent, and invest in the community I’ve built through the classes I take and teach.
What Else Are You Up to?
I’m currently teaching a Level 2 Kids Weaving Class at The Rhode Island Weaving Center in Wakefield, RI. There was so much left to learn after we wrapped up our Weaving 1 class that I had to create another level. The group of girls is so inquisitive and engrossed. I love sharing my knowledge with them. We have a ton of fun together making textiles and belting out pop ballads. Can't wait for Level 3!
I’d also like to create a children’s course that integrates handweaving basics with Rhode Island and New England’s historical context in the textile industry. I want local kids to understand how fabric was made and how the huge mill their favorite rock climbing gym is housed in played a part in that process. I’m hoping to make this an after-school program.
I LOVE the Catskills Weaving School Speaker Series. Everyone has their Candy Land board of how they got where they are- I love hearing that recap from creative people I admire.
Lastly, I adored Woven Histories: Textiles and Modern Abstraction show at MOMA. I hope every East Coast guild and weaving school got a trip in! What a great time to be a weaver with these huge institutions highlighting the fiber arts. Long overdue!
What Else Would You Like Us to Know?
I’d love to share this project that was recently completed in New England. I was approached by Dawson Design Associates of Seattle to help recruit Rhode Island and New England weavers to create handwoven artwork for a hotel redesign in Newport, Rhode Island. After reaching out to local guilds and weaving studios we had over 35 weavers create 220 original pieces for every room in the hotel. We got to highlight some amazing local weavers (Suzi Ballenger, Katie Strano) and unbelievable weaving organizations (Hartford Artisans Weaving Center). Both the project managing and natural tones the artwork required were totally out of my comfort zone. If you’re ever in Newport and are a weaver or fiber artist- stay at the Newport Harbor Island Resort for both the artwork and the views!
On Instagram (@the.dog.and.pony.show), I started a hashtag ‘dressing like the loom’ instead of ‘dressing the loom’. It’s where my clothes match whatever I’m weaving. It’s silly and playful! I keep trying to get others to join in, so here’s the official invite! XO
Reminder- Join your local Weaving Guild! The amazing lessons, shared information and inspiration, and intergenerational friendships are invaluable.
I’m incredibly grateful to Lunatic Fringe Yarns for featuring my work! This spotlight was a powerful reminder of the work I’ve accomplished and the colorful future I’m excited to return to. I recently adopted my daughter, Roxy, through the foster care system. My creative and weaving time has taken a backseat with four spirited kiddos. Having a company I admire believe in me has been such an encouraging boost. Thank you again, Lunatics!
Because we are Lunatics, we love to know…Cake or Pie?
Killer question for a Type 1 Diabetic! Hahahaha! One bite of cake with my perfect ratio of cake, frosting, and ice cream.
Thanks Jaimee!
Thank you for sharing with us! We can’t wait to see what you are up to next!
If you want to see what Jaimee is up to, here are links to her website and to see what she is up to on instagram:
- www.thedogandponyshowdesigns.com
- Instagram: the.dog.and.pony.show
Please tell me more about the FIT necklace/measuring tape.