Bio: Peg Hansen attended the University of Wisconsin River Falls in the late 1980s for the purpose of learning to weave fabric for sewing garments. As it turned out, she instead pursued a career in teaching Visual Art to Red Wing High School students for 20 years. After that she got back to her fiber roots and started weaving in earnest. Being in the Scandinavian Weavers has provided the opportunity to learn about many weaving techniques from group warps and the sharing of knowledge by amazing group members. Weaving trips to Norway and most recently, Peru have proven to be highly educational and motivating. In addition to the classes at the Weavers Guild of Minnesota, Peg has taken classes at North House Folk School in Grand Marais, MN and Vesterheim in Decorah, Iowa. Peg is also a member of the Zumbro River Fiber Arts Guild

Description: I learned card weaving long ago as a weaving student at the University of Wisconsin River Falls. Little did I know that one day I would find myself immersed in all fiber things Norwegian. I started making a Beltestakk Bunad for myself in 2018 when I went on a tour to Norway with my bunad instructor, Sue Sutherland of Ely, MN. I spotted one version with silk embroidery on wool fabric and I was hooked. Woven accesories are important for a complete costume. Card weaving goes back centuries in Norwegian textile traditions. It is the chosen technique for hårbånds and the wide belt of this particular Telemark bunad. The colors I chose are from the town of Bø, Telemark in Norway.

Regarding the Scandinavian Weavers Group: Learning about the technique used for the hårbånd was what drew me to The Weavers Guild of Minnesota. I first joined the Banditos Band Weaving group since their focus is weaving bands from cultures around the world. Through them I learned about the Scan Weavers. Even though I live 60 miles away, I am able to attend meetings more often since Covid allowed for the development of online meetings alongside the in-person meetups. The study groups have provided the opportunity to get to know weavers more personally. In fact, it was though this group that I was able to actually tour and weave my blanket (shown elsewhere in this exhibit) in Norway. I love the community warps that give me the opportunity to learn and practice the craft.

pegandrayhansen@gmail.com