Our September meeting presentation will be given by Karen Selk about the wonders of working with silk.

In Karen’s own words, “Wild silk is much more than the miraculous journey of metamorphosis from caterpillar to silken luxury. It is tightly woven to an ancient living culture raising tasar, muga, and eri silkworms in remote forests of central and eastern India.

Raising wild silkworms, reeling cocoons, spinning fiber and weaving silk cloth provides sustainable work, while protecting the environment, and supporting communities.  Photos and stories captured from weavers, spinners, and silkworm farmers over thirty years of research will transport you into their homes and villages to witness the love and dedication involved in each part of the process from soil to cloth.”  

Mahmoud and Alyssa like to incorporate modern designs with traditional Arabic weaving methods. In this presentation, they will tell their story of their journeys in Syria, UAE, Turkey, and the US, as well as discuss Arabic weaving traditions and history. 

Mahmoud and Alyssa are a Syrian-American handweaving family. They met during a chance encounter in Dubai in 2019 and instantly bonded over their shared love of weaving. Mahmoud’s family in Syria has been weaving for hundreds of years, and he learned the art at a young age. 

In Dubai, they owned a store where they sold handmade kilims, fine antique carpets, and other Arabic and Persian items. They also had a weaving studio where they taught families the art of weft-faced weaving.