big sky textiles is the studio name for Caroline Walker, Spinner and Handweaver, based just outside Bristol in the UK. I use traditional and modern spinning and weaving techniques to create unique yarns and textiles for everyday use. I also teach occasional weaving workshops and make weaving kits.
I use a range of natural materials in my practice but mostly I use British wool, often starting with a raw fleece and then dyeing, spinning and weaving it. I weave on a range of looms to achieve different textiles, including a Japanese Saori loom where I weave freestyle to create one-off fabrics for use in clothing and homewares and an 8 shaft American Macomber loom for more complex or rugged weaves,
The principles that guide my work are always around sustainability; I source local wool to avoid air miles, I work with other local craftspeople to support community and each others' businesses, I use recycled and up cycled materials wherever possible and I seek to avoid using plastic wherever possible. It is also important for me to share my crafts through teaching, sharing the love of working with natural materials for relaxation and positive mental health, and to encourage environmental awareness.
I use a range of natural materials in my practice but mostly I use British wool, often starting with a raw fleece and then dyeing, spinning and weaving it. I weave on a range of looms to achieve different textiles, including a Japanese Saori loom where I weave freestyle to create one-off fabrics for use in clothing and homewares and an 8 shaft American Macomber loom for more complex or rugged weaves,
The principles that guide my work are always around sustainability; I source local wool to avoid air miles, I work with other local craftspeople to support community and each others' businesses, I use recycled and up cycled materials wherever possible and I seek to avoid using plastic wherever possible. It is also important for me to share my crafts through teaching, sharing the love of working with natural materials for relaxation and positive mental health, and to encourage environmental awareness.
