Tag Archives: woven rugs

My Mom the Weaver

In honor of Mother’s Day, I thought I would show you the impossibly gorgeous rugs made by none other than my madre.  My mom learned to weave and then taught weaving classes at the local University in the ’70s.  I grew up with these beauties in the house, and even as a kid I knew I was in the presence of greatness.

Donna Matthews Rug

On this side the rug is dark brown, almost black, and grey. As you can see in the next photo, on the opposite side the brown has faded to a soft qiviut color.

 

Donna Matthews Rug

When we were kids one of the rugs was in the living room, and another was upstairs. These days the rugs are kept rolled up in a closet upstairs. I think it was the cat that lived to be 22 years old and puked pretty much every day of the last 11 years of her life (I still love you Terra, wherever you are!) that convinced my mom to roll them up and put them in the attic.  Living, as I do, in a house where at any given moment some creature or other is barfing or worse, I can relate.  Even without the constant threat of hurling in my mom’s house these days, all my oohing and aahing hasn’t convinced her to display them again.

Donna Matthews Rug

 

Donna Matthews- Rug

The rugs are “picnic rugs” – soft and pliable wool.  Underfoot they feel like clouds made of macaron cookies and kittens.

Donna Matthews Rug

I particularly love the colors in this rug.  The mustard yellow (and you know I love mustard in all its forms) in this rug is paired with unexpected and bold colors.  The red is sort of an artisanal ketchup color, but that’s where the condiment comparisons end, because what really slays me is the pink.  PINK AND MUSTARD.  What kind of genius weaves pink and mustard yellow together?  My mom, that’s who.

Donna Matthews Rug

My mom pointed out later that this is actually the wrong side of the rug. If it’s wrong, then I don’t want to be right (except I do, because the other side is so pretty too!).

She wove other things aside from rugs, including clothing. I vividly remember her in a skirt and matching shawl, though I didn’t know at the time that she’d made them.  Here’s the shawl, displayed as a table runner:

Donna Matthews-Shawl

As you might remember from my bathroom makeover, I am firmly in the red and purple go together camp (incidentally, one of my favorite bloggers, Jenny Komenda of Little Green Notebook is also a purple and red devotee).  Apparently the love for that combo is in my genetics.

Donna Matthews Shawl

And here is a lovely little sampler showcasing different weaving techniques:

Donna Matthews-Sampler

Isn’t it beautiful? Thanks to my talented mom for letting me share these beauties here on Red House West. I hope everyone had a great Mother’s Day!  Check back on Wednesday for a post from Katie, and be sure to submit your Good Scores to redhousewest@gmail.com or by tagging #rhwgoodscore on Instagram for a chance to win (see the details here).