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Chilkat and Ravenstail Weaving by Lily Hudson
While I was still in my teens, my mother — noted Tlingit
Chilkat weaver Clarissa Hudson — taught me to weave
Northwest Coast Geometrical weaving, often called Ravenstail
weaving.
I currently have pieces on both my looms, one of them a child-sized
robe with a modified traditional design — Shaman Eyes,
a flipped version of the Lightning design that I invented.
On my other loom is my second legging matching Shaman Eyes,
sized for a 6-foot tall man.
I have yet to master Chilkat weaving, although Jenny Thlunaut’s
fingering (which my mother taught) comes easily.
In my free time, I occasionally hand-spin warp for other
weavers. I can do either Chilkat or Raventail warp (Chilkat
warp is twice the price per yard due to the inclusion of cedar
bark). My mother claims my warp is some of the finest and
most even she has seen. The secret is in the splitting of
the wool and bark. The more perfect the splitting, the more
even the warp.
I also studied Haida cedar bark hat making with master weaver
Delores Churchill. This was my introduction to addictive weaving
behavior. Once I start weaving with cedar, the whole world
goes to sleep and I stay awake with the spiders and birds.
Delores says, “If you are going to weave, it’s
important to clean your house first.” I think this is
so you are not distracted to do dishes or scrub the toilet
when you’re in the middle of your project. It is also
a spiritual cleansing, so your mind is cleared of other obligations
and free to focus.
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