Designer Spotlight Blog Post – Marcy Petrini
It's time for another Designer Spotlight! Marcy Petrini is a well-known figure in the weaving world, and we are delighted to have her share some personal stories with you!
Meet the designer Marcy Petrini!
Tell Us About Yourself
I weave scarves and shawls to wear or exhibits. I weave a lot of samples for my writing and teaching. I weave, write and teach on zoom in my studio. I am the "Right from the Start" columnist for Shuttle Spindle & Dyepot, a publication from the Handweaver's Guild of America. I also write a monthly blog, located on my website, marcypetrini.com. I teach for various guilds and conferences in person and on zoom and I teach in person every Wednesday at the Mississippi Craft Center, the home of the Craftsmen's Guild of Mississippi. In 2016 I received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Craftsmen's Guild from my teaching. I also spin and knit, and dabble in other fiber crafts, but weaving is my true love.
Plaited Twill Scarf
How did you get started in weaving?
I was born in Italy where I admired all sort of tapestries in the museums as I grew up. Several members of my Dad's side of the family embroidered and I thought tapestries were embroidered!
My Mom was Lithuanian and the Vatican had a Lithuanian consulate, even though the Russian aggressors had invaded Lithuania which was no longer considered a separate country. The Lithuanian consulate held regular get togethers for the Lithuania refuges in Rome and several of the ladies would wear their regional costumes. I recognize now that the structure was Tied-Lithuanian, but then I thought it was embroidery!
We moved to the States, and I tried all sorts of other fiber crafts. Then, in graduate school in Rochester, NY, my future husband Terry Dwyer invited me to go to a Medieval Fair. There were weavers! And yes, there were weaving classes! I learned to weave there at the Rochester Art Museum, from several instructors. It was a long time, so I sadly have forgotten their names.
What Looms Do You Use?
My first loom is the 4-shaft one that Terry built from Sievers' plans he bought. The wood and various hardware was purchased with money that relatives gave us as wedding presents. Apparently, the relatives were mad that we "wasted" the money on a loom. If they only knew that of all the wedding presents that we received, the loom is the only one that gets used nearly every day! It's still my favorite loom. I also have a 40-shaft AVL, an 8-shaft Schacht Wolf Pup and a rigid heddle loom. I don't enjoy finger manipulated weaves, but I like everything from plain weave to multi-shaft tied unit weaves - including Tied-Lithuanian!
Special Tools for Weaving?
Not really one single tool. I love the ones that are wood and have been hand-made, including my warping board by Terry and all the raddles for my studio and the teaching studio. We don't call him loom doctor for nothing!
Favorite Weave Structure?
I have to say twills, even though in a lot of ways I love trying new ones.
Advancing Points Scarf
Amber Waves at Sunset Scarf
Favorite Lunatic Fringe Yarns Product?
The Tubular Spectrum™ mercerized cotton yarn in 3/2, 5/2 and 10/2. I use it for samples and for my students for various classes. I just started a class for weaving ornaments and square pillows, using your 3/2 not only the original 20 Tubular Spectrum™ colors, but including tints and tones. I do wish that the tints and tone colors had numbers, too! 🙂
What Inspires You and Your Work?
My surroundings. Sometimes I look at an object and I think about how it could be woven. Sometimes it gets woven, sometimes not. Other times I start a project and only later I realize where that thought came from.
Why Do You Weave?
Sanity. I can sit at a loom and do whatever step needs to be done and the world disappears. I concentrate every step of the way. I am finding that as I have gotten older concentrating is particularly important, to make up for not seeing as well, for example.
What Are You Up To?
Teaching! Lots of teaching!
Locally, I just taught a class on huck (using your 10/2 Tubular Spectrum™ yarn). I have two beginners that started three weeks ago, using your 3/2 Tubular Spectrum™ Yarn. And the ornament class just started, as I already mentioned.
I am going to be zooming about plain weave to a Canadian guild, zooming to a guild in the Southwest in November on color, and teaching at MAFA on zoom in December about blocks.
Then, a new class on 3-shaft structures late in January in person at the Mississippi Craft Center, plain weave again in February on zoom and Intermountain Weavers Conference in June on twills.
Any Thing Else?
I like bubbly wine, baseball and cats (and yes, I am childless).
And I forgot to say, the scarf I am wearing in the headshot photo is 10/2 mercerized cotton part of your Tubular Spectrum™, woven in 4-shaft twills.
Last Question...Cake or Pie?
This last question is a bit unfair. I really don't care for cakes with icing, etc. and I don't like most pies. My go to-sweets are Italian cookies, they are not as sweet, but so good!
Thanks Marcy!
It has been a delight to learn more about you, see your work and hear about your busy teaching schedule! You have been a source of inspiration for many of us throughout the years!
To read more about what Marcy is up to, check out her website and blog:
October blog:
https://www.marcypetrini.com/marcy-s-blogs/382_blog-130-pointed-twill-blocks
A very delightful article. Marcy is a friend and inspiration to me to keep weaving even though I’m still just a beginner. My rigid heddle is a delight to learn new techniques whenever I get a chance to sit and weave.
Marcy! You are so Beautiful! and so very Talented! Masterful Work and a Masterful Teacher! Your Passion shows! I love you!
Susan Ford Robertson
Thanks for profiling a good friend and weaving mentor!
Marcy is a treasure in many ways. During the first year of Covid she offered (for free) a year-long course in weaving structures. I was lucky to get in and am grateful to Marcy for offering that class during those very difficult months of Covid.