Designer Spotlight Blog Post – Sedona Rigsby
We hope you have been enjoying our Designer Spotlight series as much as we have! Today’s spotlight comes from Sedona Rigsby, an incredibly talented, young weaver from Santa Fe! Sedona’s passion is creating garments and elevated wearables from handwoven textiles. Whether she is a student or the teacher, Sedona is making waves in the weaving world! Read her story here!
Please note that all photos are used with Sedona's permission, and all of the photos belong entirely to her.
Meet the designer Sedona Rigsby!
Tell Us About Yourself
I am a weaver, designer and craftswoman. I weave in my Santa Fe Studio and travel to find special yarn made from sacred fibers. Beyond creation, weaving is a link to ancestral wisdom and a form of meditation for me. My passion is creating garments and elevated wearables from handwoven textiles.
I don't see myself as an artist or fashion designer, I prefer the term "craftswoman". To me, it embodies a deep commitment to Craft, with a capital C. Craft is sacred, and humanity owes so much to the craftspeople who came before us. They made things that were not only essential for survival but were also beautiful. I love being part of that lineage.
How did you get started in weaving?
Books were my first teachers! Three years ago, I found myself thinking I'd wait to weave until I was older, retired and surrounded by cats. Thankfully, my partner nudged me to start sooner. I began with a flimsy frame loom and quickly upgraded to a rigid heddle loom after my first project. I was so hooked that within a month, I booked a textile tour in Guatemala to learn backstrap weaving. Now, I've built many connections there and am exploring textile and garment design with Kakaw Designs in Antigua. I love weaving traditions and believe learning them deepens my bond with weavers everywhere, across time.
If you're curious about exploring weaving while traveling, check out my blog: The Case for Travel Weaving: https://www.sedonarigsby.com/musings/the-case-for-travel-weaving
What Looms Do You Use?
I use a 16" Kromski Harp Forte rigid heddle for small projects, an 8-shaft Mighty Wolf for medium-sized work, and for larger projects, my Glimakra Standard 39".
Special Tools for Weaving?
I actually have a strong opinion on this: the Gingher 5" knife edge shears. They're much sturdier than snips and perfect for weaving. They also make a great gift (hint, hint)!
Favorite Weave Structure?
Twills could keep me busy for a lifetime.
Favorite Lunatic Fringe Yarns Product?
Lyte Hemp™ is such a special yarn. I first encountered hemp in Marina Contro's class on weaving and sewing garments from hemp at the Marshfield School of Weaving, where I made a dreamy pair of white hemp pants. Lunatic Fringe Yarns has done an amazing job sourcing this yarn and advocating for hemp. We definitely need more of it in the world!
What Inspires You and Your Work?
The fiber itself inspires me! I can't start a project without first holding the yarn in my hands. It feels like the fiber tells me what it wants to become, rather than starting with a vision and trying to find materials to match it.
Why Do You Weave?
I weave because it's one of the oldest technologies, and I believe it's in our bones. When we touch or wear something made in the traditional, slow way, we connect with our ancestors and all of humanity. The memories, resources, and elements in the fibers draw us closer to the earth and sun.
I view my work as fiber worship, alchemizing plants into clothing made with calories, not carbon. My hope is that my work reshapes how we perceive fabric itself.
What Are You Up To?
I'm currently teaching rigid heddle classes in the Santa Fe, New Mexico area, and I absolutely love introducing new weavers to this craft. I find there's a unique element of healing and fun that happens in my classes.
My next goal is to expand and travel to teach. If you're interested in hosting a workshop in your city, please let me know! And don't forget to join my email list for updates on upcoming classes.
Last Question...Cake or Pie?
Cake!
Thanks Sedona!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about your fiber journey! We can't wait to hear where your next fiber travels take you!
You can follow her creative journey and see her process:
- lnstagram: @s.rigs
- website: https://www.sedonarigsby.com
- Join my emails at: sedonarigsby.com/follow-me
And if you're curious about exploring weaving while traveling, check out her blog: The Case For Travel Weaving
Dates for Sedona's events:
- Clasped Weft on a Rigid Heddle Weaving Workshops in 2025:
- Oct 29th, Nov 16th, Dec 15th in Santa Fe
- Oct 19th, Nov 5th at Española Valley Fiber Arts Center
- Join a class at: sedonarigsby.com/events
- Find her at International Folk Art Market (IFAM) in Santa Fe July 10–13, 2025 at the Kakaw Designs booth
More information about Sedona's Pants:
- Yarns:
- Warp: Fine Lyte Hemp™ bleached, Bold Lyte Hemp™ (dyed with madder by Marina Contro)
- Weft: Fine Lyte Hemp™ bleached
- Structure: Plain weave
- Created at Marshfield School of Weaving, under the guidance of Marina Contro and Elise Bergman.
