The Gift

A letter on value, textile treasures and an unexpected gift.

   As a weaver, I spend many hours pondering the idea of value. Often financial, when it comes to figuring out pricing my hand woven items. Sometimes more abstract, ideas on the value of hand crafted items and the time they take to make. Value is both expansive and subjective, as the saying goes “One person's trash is another's treasure”. We each have our own ideas on value and the things that we find valuable - or invaluable. Sometimes these values overlap, which is where we can find community. I was recently gifted an item, one which is invaluable. The weaving, dyeing and spinning community is incredibly generous, and we certainly know a thing or two about value.

   A family friend and neighbour, who was once a prolific spinner, weaver and dyer has gifted me her dye journal. She is moving into a new phase of her life and no longer requires her spinning, dyeing and weaving equipment, including this dye journal. It has hand written dye notes, samples and recipes spanning a decade of dyeing, from 1980 to 1989. The level of dedication in creating this book is something I could only dream of emulating, my level of notetaking usually involves a few scribbles at best. To hold this delicate and insightful knowledge in my hands is truly a privilege.

The dye book in all its weathered glory.

    Acquiring this book was a complete surprise. For years, it has been on the list to go and visit to chat about all things dyeing and weaving. Now that she was moving house, time was of the essence. She had previously muted the idea of me having her loom, which I am pleased to say will be heading my way before too long (stay tuned for more on that!). I went to view her old studio space, where she created wonderful naturally dyed, hand spun and woven rugs. Like a child in a sweetshop, it was a giddy experience. Balancing this with feeling like an intruder and/or a scrounger, I walked the fine line of interest but not wanting to feel pushy. Her leaving this space has not necessarily been by choice, but by the unrelenting force of ageing. I wanted to remain respectful of her and her life.

   While we looked through her books and equipment, I felt compelled to ask if her (adult) children might be wanting her equipment and books. I know if my Mum were giving away her possessions, I would be first in line! I’ve always attached a lot of sentimentality to items, fantasising as a child about family heirlooms and such. Textiles lend themselves to sentimentality. The very fibres of their being capture scents and memories and lock them away. The bond we have with the textiles in our lives can be strong. A comfort blanket, a favourite jumper, that cosy shirt that belonged to your mother. Each one has the potential to evoke strong emotions through their touch, smells and appearances.

Close up details on how well the colours have lasted, tucked away from daylight.

    She told me that her children have no interest in textile pursuits, as such they had no need for them. When she pulled out the dye journal, I was taken aback by its detail and was more than a little bit awestruck. To my horror, she mentioned that it was likely things will be cleared out in rubbish bags when her children arrive to help with the move. Still, I did not ask for the book, It would not have felt moral to ask for such an important item. After a delightful afternoon, I left with an armful of books, dye journal included, feeling overwhelmingly grateful. 

Since that day, I have gone through the journal several times, reading and taking note of her dyes. A lot of the dyes she used were local, moss plucked from stone walls and bracken from the hillside. I find this particularly interesting as she lives just half a mile up the road from my grandparents. Moving house quite a lot as a child, though always within a similar location, my grandparents house was a constant. I lived there from 6 months to 3 years old and I spent much of my childhood there. The dye journal that contains dyes from that old welsh valley is even more precious than I first thought. A time stamped archive of natural dyes and wools from my favourite place, it is truly a treasure that I will value highly and preserve. It is a physical connection to landscape I love.

Do you have a textile item that holds such high value? A piece of clothing, a book or any textile treasure? I love to hear about other peoples connections to textiles, let me know in a comment or email me at hello@milliemorgan.uk to carry on the conversation.

Keep connecting,

Millie.