When I was a little girl, my mother gave piano and voice lessons in her home studio. One of my fondest memories is lying on the beautiful area rug on the floor as Mom taught her young students. I’d listen, read a picture book, and lose myself in the rug’s colorful patterns and luxurious texture.

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My affection for textiles has lasted all my life, and I’ve avidly collected them on my travels to Mexico, Japan, Nepal, and Greece. I learned to weave in college, and afterwards went to Japan to study the art of silk kimono weaving, kasuri (tying and dyeing threads in intricate patterns before weaving), and natural indigo dyeing. 

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​I am fortunate to live in Washougal, WA, a small town in the Columbia River Gorge and home to Pendleton Woolen Mills: creator of iconic American blankets, clothing, and textiles since 1912. Pendleton Mills generates large quantities of wool selvage, the narrow raw edges trimmed from blankets and textiles as part of the finishing process.

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I repurpose this selvage for my eco-friendly reversible rugs, which I hand weave on two antique floor looms. The vibrant colors, rich textures, and fine quality of Pendleton wool gives each handwoven rug a brilliant look and luxurious feel.

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​My rugs are either one-of-a-kind or limited edition creations, in part due to the limited availability of any particular color of the Pendleton selvage. Drawing from my background in textiles, sculpture, painting, and graphic arts, I blend a colorful, modern aesthetic with the traditional art of handweaving. My mission is to brighten homes with beautiful, durable, and environmentally sustainable woven rugs.

 

— Kathy Marty