This Spotlights honors one of our members as part of our 75th Anniversary Celebration.
- by sandy mclain hochmuth
How to describe Jack? Direct, analytical, a twinkle in his eye.
Jack was surrounded by fiber for as long as he remembers. His Grandfather was a tailor, his Grandmother tatted beautiful handkerchiefs. At seven he was stitching flower patterns on pillow cases and flour sack towels, using floss yarn to fill the patterns his mother had ironed on the fabric.
In high school, he was introduced to handweaving by Doc Walters, a shrewd teacher at the all-boys Tilden Technical High School. Doc knew beyond a doubt how to pique the interest of his fifteen year old male students. Operating an art studio in Chicago, Doc and his wife offered classes in drawing, painting and hand weaving from the studio. In TTHS class one day, he casually mentioned to Jack and several of Jack’s fellow students that his wife taught Female Figure drawing classes. The very next Saturday, Jack and buddies went to the Art Studio — only to learn that the most interesting class of all was not held on weekends or even weekdays after school. But weaving WAS available. Jack says, “Doc may have tricked us into trying hand weaving, but a few of us actually came back to weave.” They learned on bamboo and mahogany stick wefts, and once they had that, they graduated to yarn. The first complete piece Jack made was a purple and pink suit jacket pocket square, sadly, long vanished. That semester of weaving was followed by a long hiatus of more than 50 years, until the drought ended with a class at The Fine Line, renewing his interest in weaving.
In 2018, Jack decided to check the internet for “weavings guilds near me.” He says, “After visiting my first IPW Guild meeting, I decided to join. I felt I could learn more since the guild offered monthly presentations. I have really enjoyed talking with my Guild weaving friends (they understand words like dents and heddles and sleying) – and they always offer help and suggestions.”
His favorite thing about weaving? Remember “analytical” above? He thoroughly enjoys the planning and research that goes into creating a unique weaving design, and once that’s done and the loom is warped and ready, he finds the rhythm of weaving on a floor loom very relaxing. And he confesses: while he loves weaving, “I spend much time on other activities, such as my Grandkids’ sports and plays, working part time during the day and watching TV in the evening — which result in weaving getting pushed back and not done as planned.”
Jack likes to weave functional items, rag rugs, placemats, table runners and towels. Those he gifts to his wife and children. What else? “I might try making a new colorful suit pocket square again. Time to start planning.”
As Jack shares his education and work experience with us, you can see how his background in marketing and advertising, planning and executing meshed with his weaving work. “At Belden Wire and Cable in Geneva, I directed concept and design of advertising activities for B to B print advertising, public relations, co-op advertising, cataloging and trade show displays for several divisions of the company.”
A rock solid guild member, thank you for sharing, Jack!
Illinois Prairie Weavers Guild 