Astrid Tauber, Seattle Weavers Guild, Seattle WA
Winner: Best Small Accessory
People’s Choice Award
Material & Technique: Three fabrics were used to create this pair of boots, an 8 shaft turned taquete polka dot draft originally designed by Iowa Weaver with purple 60/2 silk and green cotton in the warp and blue 60/2 silk as the weft. Then, stripes are woven on the same threading and tie-up, but only using one of the pattern treadles and the same yarns as the main fabric. Lastly, a solid blue woven with the same blue 60/2 silk in the weft of the previous fabrics in a 2/1 twill. All three fabrics were woven on an 8-shaft Ashford Jack loom.
Description: These boots are a reflection of how inspiration takes shape—starting as a simple idea and evolving into something unexpected. The vision began with a fascination for Victorian footwear, reimagined with whimsical handwoven fabric in polka dots, stripes, and solids. Each element was carefully woven on an 8 shaft jack loom, blending historical elegance with a playful, modern twist. The mix of patterns and textures showcases how inspiration can transform tradition into something entirely new.
