Textile Center

Join Textile Center and artist Colleen Kahn for a discussion all about Santa costumes during this special 𝙉𝙤𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝘾𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙨 Art Speaks series! ❄️

Art Speaks • Notes from Costumers: Santa Suits
with Colleen Kahn
Saturday, October 3, 11 am - 12 pm
Sliding scale
Hybrid, at Textile Center + virtual on Zoom

Colleen Kahn is an accomplished garment maker based in the Twin Cities. Colleen’s experience building Santa suits introduced her to the International Brotherhood of Real Bearded Santas, where she has worked with members to create costumes and has exhibited her work at their local chapter’s gatherings.

During this presentation, Colleen will share some tips and tricks on how to create convincing, comfortable and well-constructed costumes – focused on the Santa variety!

Learn more + register: https://secure.givelively.org/event/textile-center-of-minnesota/art-speaks/art-speaks-notes-from-costumers-santa-suits

There are only a couple of weeks left to see our 𝘼 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙤𝙣 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 Member Exhibition!

Today, as a part of our 𝘼 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙤𝙣 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙎𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨, we hear from member artist and Teaching Artist Karen Searle. Karen Searle

𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗔 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁.

𝘾𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙚 𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙥 𝙇𝙖𝙙𝙮 is a small needle lace portrait stitched in copper and silver wire. She is based on a quick sketch I made in a coffee shop several years ago. I started working on this image as a class demonstration and I liked the result so much, I had it framed.

𝗜𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹?

I have done a lot of sculptural fiber work in knitting, crochet, and weaving. Needle lace allows me to create graphic imagery as well. I like to keep exploring and experimenting — my hands don’t like to be idle!

___

𝘼 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙤𝙣 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙, Textile Center’s biennial member exhibition, is on view through October 10, 2026! Stop by and see 136 works of fiber art by our member artists.

There are only a few weeks left to see our 𝘼 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙤𝙣 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 Member Exhibition!

Today, as a part of our 𝘼 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙤𝙣 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙎𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨, we hear from member artist Debora Pritchett Gilson about her piece, 𝙎𝙝𝙞𝙛𝙩.

𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗔 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁.

I took an intensive class in natural dyes and was amazed by the colors that were created on cotton, silk, linen, and wool. I became inspired by these colors and wanted to express the way we change through life, in a progression of color. I chose Navajo Churro wool because it took on the dye so beautifully.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴?

The beauty in the world. Other people’s art. Nature. The calmness and satisfaction I feel when working with textiles.

𝗜𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹?

Sometimes I think about all of the hours that go into a piece. The planning, the gathering, the dyeing, the weaving, the finishing. Yet, it can get lost in an instant. What remains is the pleasure.

___

𝘼 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙤𝙣 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙, Textile Center’s biennial member exhibition, is on view through October 10, 2026! Stop by and see 136 works of fiber art by our member artists.

There are only a few weeks left to see our 𝘼 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙤𝙣 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 Member Exhibition!

Today, as a part of our 𝘼 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙤𝙣 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙎𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨, we hear from member artist Debora Pritchett Gilson about her piece, 𝙎𝙝𝙞𝙛𝙩.

𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗔 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁.

I took an intensive class in natural dyes and was amazed by the colors that were created on cotton, silk, linen, and wool. I became inspired by these colors and wanted to express the way we change through life, in a progression of color. I chose Navajo Churro wool because it took on the dye so beautifully.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴?

The beauty in the world. Other people's art. Nature. The calmness and satisfaction I feel when working with textiles.

𝗜𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹?

Sometimes I think about all of the hours that go into a piece. The planning, the gathering, the dyeing, the weaving, the finishing. Yet, it can get lost in an instant. What remains is the pleasure.

___

𝘼 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙤𝙣 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙, Textile Center’s biennial member exhibition, is on view through October 10, 2026! Stop by and see 136 works of fiber art by our member artists.

From holiday themes to theory, from project-based to technique-focused, from crochet and sewing to felting, papermaking, and more, our fall class lineup is stacked with a wide variety of offerings! 🍁🧵

Classes are filling up fast, so take a look at our roster → textilecentermn.org, and swipe for a sneak peek! 👀

🪡 Mending with Patches and Embroidery
Tuesday, September 29, 2026, 6 – 8 pm
with Whitney Dirks

🧵Mastering Machine Tension
Saturday, October 10, 2026, 10 am – 1 pm
with Steve Pauling

🧶 Not Your Traditional Granny Squares
Wednesday, October 14, 2026, 6 – 9 pm
with Molly Cacek

🎃 Block Printed Jack-O’-Lantern T-Shirt
Saturday, October 17, 2026,12 – 4 pm
with Eleanor Giese

🏁 Quilt Inspired Joomchi
Saturday, October 17, 2026, 10 am – 3 pm

🪡 NSFW Stitching
Tuesday, October 20, 2026, 6 – 8 pm
with Whitney Dirks

🧶 Blacklight Dyed Yarn for Halloween
Friday, October 23, 2026, 10 am – 4 pm
with Riley Kleve

🧣Shibori: Scarves Two Ways
Saturday, October 24, 2026, 10 am – 1 pm
with Sandra Brick

🧶 Weaving with Unconventional Shapes and Materials
Wednesdays, Oct 28 – Nov 18, 2026, 6 – 8 pm each day
with Andy Jacobs

🪡 Intro to Cross Stitch: Floral Bookmarks
Thursday, November 19, 6 – 9 pm
with Cami Andersen

🧶Chunky Knit Wool Blanket
Wednesday, December 9, 6 – 9 pm
with Cara Corey

View our full class lineup and register → https://textilecentermn.org/classes/

TODAY! Trunk Show with Fresh Eye Arts Fresh Eye Arts

Saturday, September 19, 10 am – 4 pm

Fresh Eye Arts, a progressive art studio that provides support for artists with disabilities, is showcasing work by their studio fiber artists and offering a free demonstration!

If you are a fiber artist who experiences barriers to your creative practice due to a physical disability or chronic pain, stop by to try out some of Fresh Eye Arts’ recommended adaptive tools for fiber artists.

Fresh Eye Arts studio artists will also have work for sale, including wall-hanging tapestries, wearable art and jewelry, functional objects, patches, and more!

Featured artists: Angel Lamson, Marissa Wegner, Joah Bingert, Kimberly Laudert, Kevin Conklin, Kelly Pals, Peggy Ramey

Today, as a part of our 𝘼 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙤𝙣 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙎𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨, we hear from member artist Susan E. Brown.

𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗔 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁.

This piece, 𝙎𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙘𝙠, is derived from numerous good sized scraps I have been saving for the last four decades. They originate from pieces I wasn't thrilled with, so I started dividing them up. When I started looking at them, I realized I had two similar sizes from each previously disregarded piece, so 4 pairs. As I started grouping them together, I realized how much they complimented and contrasted with each other, yet together were unified in activity.

I'm a maximalist vs a minimalist, and I love how this piece truly embodies that personal element while showing so much history of my work.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴?

The love of discovery, play, and the incredible medium of making paper with abaca pulp. It's so durable and flexible, easy to change, bend, wash, sand, etc. that I feel very open in my exploration.

___
𝘼 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙤𝙣 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙, Textile Center’s biennial member exhibition, is on view through October 10, 2026! Stop by and see 136 works of fiber art by our member artists.

Today, as a part of our 𝘼 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙤𝙣 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙎𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨, we hear from member artist Julie Steller.

𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗔 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁.

I have worked with repurposed wool sweaters for many years, and therefore have many beautiful bits and bobs of past projects. Two years ago my husband was very ill. I needed to be home a great deal during that year. These landscape projects involved hours of handwork that could be done at home (as opposed to working in my studio) which gave me quiet, creative work as I walked through this cancer journey with my husband. Inspired by photographs of England's Lake District & Yorkshire Mores that I had collected, I layered beautiful wool sweater scrap and then needle felted wool roving and embroidering details with yarn and cotton floss. The result was multi-textured landscapes that have been a wonderful new creative outlet: something beautiful that came out of a very difficult season. (I am grateful to report my husband is doing well!)

𝗜𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹?

My tapestries are inspired by beautiful photographs and therefore I am able to do custom projects (I have made one of my friend's beautiful cabin sunset, and another being planned looking out over Lakewood Cemetery.) I am honored to do this work.
___

𝘼 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙤𝙣 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙, Textile Center’s biennial member exhibition, is on view through October 10, 2026! Stop by and see 136 works of fiber art by our member artists.

Today, as a part of our 𝘼 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙤𝙣 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙎𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨, we hear from member artist Laura Euller.

𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗶𝗲𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗔 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁.
This piece was inspired by a trip to New Orleans right before festival season in February. The houses in the city are vibrantly painted and lit up at night and feel like they are part of the nightlife. I loved the neon signs, including for the Blue Nile, a music bar on Frenchman street, and how every person on the street has their own sense of style.

This tapestry was made with Norwegian Frid yarn, which has a very nice stiffness for tapestry and comes in a wide range of warm and cools within a color family, which is why I've been drawn to it.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴?
I can't stop, it's all I think about. Colors and beautiful moments are what inspires me.

___

𝘼 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙤𝙣 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙, Textile Center’s biennial member exhibition, is on view through October 10, 2026! Stop by and see 136 works of fiber art by our member artists.