Bio: Melba Granlund is a weaver and handcraft instructor dedicated to preserving historical Scandinavian folk art traditions. In her classes, Melba’s philosophy is to not only teach the techniques but also the historical and cultural context in which they evolved over the millennia. She demonstrates textile-related handcrafts such as nålbinding, tablet weaving and weaving on a warp-weighted loom in Viking reenacting group encampments. Melba’s primary education in textiles and folk handcraft was received through the Weavers Guild of Minnesota and the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum Folk Art School in Decorah, Iowa. Melba deepened her skills through further studies with instructors from Sätergläntan Institute for Craft and Handwork and the Landskrona Hemslöjden in Sweden, and the Seljord Folkehøgskole, Manndalen Husfliden, and the Osterøy Museum in Norway.

Description: This piece is inspired by those woven by Berta Liarbø of Fitjar, Hordaland County, Norway. During her lifetime she wove around 160 coverlets, all on a warp weighted loom. It is said none of the coverlets were the same. Wow! I am drawn to the vibrant colors and variety of designs these pieces have. When I first started to weave about 20 years ago, I thought I would be a rug weaver. But when I was introduced to the variety of techniques in pieces like this one, I never looked back. They captured my soul.

Regarding the Scandinavian Weavers Group: I have learned so much being a member of this group thanks to the generosity of spirit of its members. I can’t say enough good things about them.

melba.granlund@gmail.com