handwoven and heirloom-quality
Commissions
Touch Grass textiles often start as studies in color, rooted in specific places.
01
What I make
I weave textiles to order, one at a time, right here in Durham. Scarves, wraps, pillows, table linens, hand towels, inspired by colors rooted in specific places, whether that's a national park or your living room.
Here's a little primer on what I do (and don't do) and how to get started. If you've got something in mind, even a half-formed idea, let's chat!
Available for commissions
Apparel: scarves, wraps, and cowls.
Home goods: pillows, table linen sets (runners, napkins, placemats), and hand towel sets of four to six.
Not available
- Rugs
- Tapestry and wall hangings
- Custom-fit upholstery
- Rush jobs :)
scarves and wraps
pillows and home goods
hand towels and table linens
02
The fibers
I work from a stash I know well, and the right fiber depends on what the piece needs to do.
Some of my favorite fibers come from fellow women-led and eco-friendly brands like Gist Yarn, Kelbourne Woolens, and Brown Sheep Co. I also source fibers from local yarn stores, indie dyers, and regional fiber festivals.
Silk Noil
Soft and luxurious. Good for drapey shawls and lightweight spring scarves. Hand-wash or spot-clean only.
baby alpaca
Insanely soft, warm but breathable. My top pick for winter garments worn close to the skin (scarves, cowls). Hand-wash or spot-clean only.
linen blend
A linen/cotton blend soft enough to wear next to the skin and hardy enough for kitchen towels. Crispy at first but softens over time. Machine washable.
organic cotton
Versatile and machine washable. Good for linens you wash often and summer-weight apparel.
wool
Warm, resilient, and the widest color range, spun and dyed in North Carolina. Best for home goods that get spot-cleaned, like pillows and throws.
(Don't worry, you don't have to memorize this. We'll work together to determine the right fiber choice for your piece.)
03
How a piece comes together
Every piece is made by one person (👋 hello!) start to finish. Here's what the process looks like.
step 1 | est 1 to 4 hours
Sample
Determine what the piece will be and what the right materials are.
Sample color combinations, weave structures and sett (usually on Swatch Looms) to quickly rule out bad-fit options.
step 2 | est 2 to 8 hours
Design
Finalize color proportions, fiber choices, and layout, including any variations in multiple pieces meant to work together as a set (pillows and table linens, especially).
step 3 | est 2 hours
Loom math
Calculate warp length, thread count, and shrinkage to determine accurate yardage requirements before purchasing yarn. This is crucial to making sure a finished piece comes out the right size.
step 4 | est 4 to 12 hours
Warp
Measure, sley, and thread hundreds of individual threads through the reed and heddles to set their spacing and warp pattern. This part varies in complexity based on the pattern and fibers chosen, as well as the length of the warp.
step 5 | est 4 to 12 hours
Weave!
Weave the weft row by row. Depending on the piece, this may be done on my Schacht Wolf Pup, Ashford table loom, or Ashford rigid heddle.
step 6 | est 1 to 4 hours
Finish
Cutting off, securing the ends, washing, and pressing. Twining or hemming is required to make sure handwoven fabrics don't unravel.
Most home goods require finishing with a sewing machine, while the edges of many apparel items can be secured while on the loom.
That adds up to somewhere between 14 and 40+ hours for a handwoven piece. The early phases of commissions can take even longer, as multiple design rounds may be required to mind-meld your vision and my materials and expertise.
Handwovens made by a single person (again, hi!) will always be more expensive and time-consuming than something off the shelf.
04
Pricing and timeline
Because each piece is made once, for you, I quote every commission individually. The price comes from three things: materials, design complexity, and production time. A commission tends to land closer to the cost of a piece of art or good furniture than to something mass-made.
I take a limited number of commissions each year, so timeline can vary. I'll let you know current availability and a realistic timeline when you reach out.
Starting a commission
Email me at touchgrasstextiles@gmail.com with the subject "Commission inquiry" and a rough idea of what you're picturing.
Photos are extremely helpful! Tell me about what you like, what you don't, and what you expect to pair your commission with (other living room furniture, a favorite winter coat, etc.)
Once I receive your inquiry, I'll come back to you with a few questions to determine a quote. Once we're locked on a quote, 50% is due upfront to cover materials and detailed design.
