'Experts'

the culmination of years of research and experimentation 

one of the garments woven for the Guild of Canadian Master Weavers certificate

The first time someone referred to me as an 'expert' I cringed.  Literally.

The Oxford Concise Dictionary defines 'expert' as:  trained by practice, skilful, person having special skill or knowledge

An 'expert' (I'll stop using the quotation marks from now on) doesn't just have a degree or training in something, although that is a good beginning.  They must also put their knowledge into practice.  IMHO.

I came to weaving with a thirst for knowledge, recognizing that I could study the creation of cloth for the rest of my life and not know it all.  After 4 decades (plus) of studying, researching, taking classes with every teacher I could, reading as many books as I could find, weaving quite literally hundreds of samples and then studying them(!), I still do not consider myself anything other than knowledgeable.

There is more - much more - to learn about wet finishing, not just weaving as a whole.

Weaving is a gigantic pot of knowledge and skill and no one person can be an expert in every single facet of it.  Every good weaving teacher I know still gets excited when they learn something new.  They are aware of the holes in their knowledge and choose to fill them - or not.  Not every aspect of weaving appeals to every weaver.

While I know a little bit about tapestry and rug making, I am in no way an expert.  If someone wants technical information on that, I will refer them to people more knowledgeable than I am in that area.  Ditto things like weaving on small looms.

When someone is wanting to learn more, they will be faced with choices.  Especially now when a lot of information (not all of it 'good') is available on line.

What do I look for in a weaving teacher?  

I want to understand what they are knowledgeable about.  I want to hear how they present their information.  Do they give flat statements, saying 'doing it this way, my way is the only correct way'?  Or do they say 'in this circumstance it would be best to try this, that or the other'?

My knowledge is now broad enough that when someone makes a pronouncement about some aspect of weaving, I check it against my own investigation to see if there are points of correspondence.  If not, I want to know more about why there is a difference.  Because change one thing, everything can change.

If someone says 'do it this way because this is how it has always been done' I take a step back because the craft of working with fibre has been happening for 30,000+ years.  Has this 'always' been done 'this' way?   Why is it now 'always' done this way and does this way apply to my own practice?

To this day I do not comfortably wear the label 'expert' that others have bestowed on me because I know where the holes in my foundation of knowledge are.  At this point in my life I am not likely to try to fill them.  And I'm ok with that.

But as I said on Facebook this morning, I am old, I have learned things, and I know things.

Doesn't mean I'm not willing to learn more.  When I learn new things, I will change what I think I knew to factor in the new information.

"Do the best you can until you know better.  When you know better, do better."

A short list of some of the people I have learned from:

my first weaving teacher:  Elain Genser

workshops/seminars by

Irene Waller

Peter Collingwood

Diane Mortenson

Mary Frame

Judith MacKenzie

Dini Moes

Mary Bentley

Allen Fannin

Tom Beaudet

Jack Lenor Larsen

Madelyn van der Hoogt

Stephen Simpson

Morphyd Roberts

Mary Andrews

Robyn Spady

Bonnie Inouye

And many many more - names I will regret not remembering right this minute.

I would also like to say, all my students, who have pushed me to think more deeply about the craft with their astute and intelligent questions.  

As for the books I have read - too many to list here.  Check out Allen Fannin's book for an extensive bibliography for a very deep dive into the craft.

Otherwise, my favourite textile science book:  A Guide to Textiles for Interior Designers by Jackman and Dixon.  Get the cheaper 1st or 2nd edition - you don't need the more expensive 3rd edition.

Understand your materials, equipment, and processes.  Learn how each functions and when special adaptations need to be made.  Be willing to change what you are doing when what you are doing is not giving you the results you desire.

Choose an expert, learn as much from them as you can, then choose another to find out yet more.  Learn enough to become your own expert.

Above all, enjoy the journey.