A swift weave for bold designs
- Jacqueline learned her craft from several weaving and dyeing masters
- Her rugs are equally destined as floor rugs or as wall hangings
- She designed and wove several commissions for two chapels at Westminster Abbey in London
An established award-winning textile artist, Jacqueline James creates exclusive handwoven and custom dyed rugs and wall hangings for distinctive interiors. She blends traditional rug weaving techniques with contemporary design styles to create luxurious and functional textiles for public and private collections. Jacqueline specialises in collaborating with private collectors, interior designers and architects to create bespoke pieces and collections. Each original piece is made with natural, soft and durable materials including wool, cotton and linen. Jacqueline uses a variety of heritage weft-faced rug weaving techniques. She custom dyes her weft yarns prior to the weaving process to achieve pleasing colours and interesting surface patterns. Among those she learned her craft from are Peter Collingwood OBE, Jason Collingwood, Mike Halsey and Mary Ziccafoose.
Interview
- Do you master any specific techniques?
- I generally use several traditional four-shaft weft-faced flat-weave rug weaving techniques including plain weave, twill and Collingwood shaft switching. These simple structures enable me to create colourful and bold rug designs.
- What do you love most about your profession?
- I love every aspect of the weaving process, especially making something decorative and functional with my hands and creating designs and colourways from my mind’s eye and heart. I also enjoy constantly learning and developing skills to further my craft.
- Is rug weaving an endangered craft?
- Sadly, I am one of very few professional rug weavers still practising this rich heritage craft in the UK today. Rug weaving is currently listed as a Viable Craft in the Heritage Crafts Red List of Endangered Crafts. It is of great importance for me to share my experience, skills and enthusiasm about weaving in general and I will do all I can to encourage and inspire the next generations to continue this important cultural tradition.
- What are your sources of inspiration?
- Inspiration comes from everywhere, especially attractive colour combinations and smooth gradients from nature and landscapes. I am also inspired by the coloured works of other artists, craftspeople and textiles from all over the world. Bold geometric patterns and stripe rhythms often feature in my woven designs.
Jacqueline James is a master artisan: she began her career in 1989 and she started teaching in 1994
Where
Jacqueline James
