Sarah Pilgrim

I am a studio weaver living and working in the high plains of southwestern Montana. It is here that I gain my inspiration for the colors in the scarves and wraps that I weave. I use color with a spirited hand, often weaving with unexpected combinations. Ideas come while hiking or skiing in the mountains where I see the blues of lupine on the hills in late spring or the subtle early morning light of winter.

The first time I sat at a loom, I knew I would be a weaver someday. The rhythm of the weaving process, the feel of thread moving through my hands and the resulting cloth I make connect my body and soul.

I work in series. Each series has colors in common, though every piece in a series is an edition of one. As the fabric emerges, inch-by-inch, during weaving it also evolves in a progression analogous to painting with thread. The result is a one-of-a kind wearable piece of art.

Though I work alone, the centuries-old tradition of handweaving is a constant in my work. When designing a series, I take into consideration the weave structure and the fiber as well as the colors I want to showcase. Each influences the final look and hand of the scarf or wrap. After many sketches, I make a mock-up of the work from which the optimal balance of color, fiber, and composition surfaces. Only then is it time to start weaving.

The fine-gauge threads I use produce a supple fabric that shows off the natural luster and iridescence of the fiber. My textiles are beautiful as well as readily wearable.