We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Maryanne Moodie. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Maryanne below.
Maryanne, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
So, I have always loved vintage textiles. As a child, i was the youngest of 6 and so we spent a lot of time in charity shops, scouring for second hand clothes and toys. It was like an aladdin’s cave and you never knew what treasures lay beneath the next layer. Even as a child, i adored the hand made, heavily embroidered or sequined fabrics and clothes that caught the eye and fired the imagination. As i grew, I began to notice and appreciate the marks that the past had left on them – some darning here, a replaced button there. Clues that someone had loved it as much as i did. A little hint that there had been lives lived alongside these beautiful treasures. I taught for over 10 years, much of it in art education, and I loved both imparting the knowledge and skills as well as sharing in the joy of creating with my students. Every student brought their own vision to a task and i enjoyed seeing how differently everyone applied the skills i shared. Alongside my teaching career, I had built a small business sourcing and selling exquisite vintage clothing and homewares. I learned so much about building a community, being open to opportunities, trusting your instincts, forgiving yourself and the logistics of running an honest and environmentally sustainable business.
When the time came to go on maternity leave from teaching, I found myself cleaning out the Art store room for my replacement. It took me back to my days of childhood charity shopping – there was treasure to be found under the years of layers. There was a small loom that was being thrown out. Although I didn’t really know what it was or how it worked, something spoke to me on a deep level that connected with my passion for vintage and my desire to create. There was a huge hole in the top of the box and i wasn’t even sure if it had all of the parts, but the conviction was strong. And so i rescued it.
Being at home as a new mother can be one of the hardest and most isolating times. Challenging your to your energy, sanity, health and identity. I was Struggling with this new life and how this tiny baby would fit in. I was no longer a teacher. I had put my business on hold. And yet i was exhausted and overwhelmed.
One day whilst my little babe was sleeping, i remembered the loom. I pulled it out and read the instructions. i didn’t have any yarn, and so I warped up the loom with jute and used waxed neon cord to weave myself a swatch of fabric. I was immediately hooked. Teaching myself from scraps i could find on the internet and then moving onto vintage weaving textbooks, I learned from a fumbling comedy of trial and error. I would bumble along and ‘invent’ new stitches, only to read a few weeks later that generations of weavers had been using this technique for hundreds of years. I poured over vintage textile inspiration and tried my hand at recreating different effects. Every time i sat down to begin a new piece, i would push myself to try a new skill, incorporate a new fibre and clash colours in an unexpected way. I wanted to draw deeply on the nostalgic quality of vintage wall hangings, whilst breathing fresh life into them through new colour and texture combinations.
Something had turned on inside me. I felt like i wanted to to know more, do more, be more involved. I began sharing my work on social media and getting supportive feedback from a community of amazing women. Most of them were customers from my vintage business and so they already appreciated the aesthetic of a woven wall hanging. My tribe grew. I began making connections with other weavers, spinners, dyers and makers. There was a whole community of people out there who (as a result of the internet) were able to make meaningful connections, support one another and grow together. I felt like i was coming out of the darkness and being welcomed in my new identity as a mother and a maker. It felt great.
As time moved forward, I was able to draw on my experience teaching in the arts, my passion for weaving and joy of community making. I began sharing my knowledge in sold out workshops across the world. I keep the vibe of the classes accessible to complete novices as well as people wanting to get back into fibres after long absences. Just like in my art classroom, I encourage people to find their own voice. I give everyone the same building blocks or skills, and watch, excitedly, as each student uses these skills to create new and exciting projects – all very different from one another. I encourage my students to “weave weird” and try to push the boundaries of what they think is possible. By sharing my knowledge, I am able to learn through my students.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am a fibre obsessed maker based in Melbourne/Naarm. I divide my time between designing and creating woven wall hangings, developing weaving kits, and teaching sold out workshops across the world. I am best known for applying unexpected color combinations to my nostalgic designs.
I have created collections for Soho House, Madewell, Tasmaninan Walking company, Cable and many hotels, restaurants and private collectors.
I have written two books on weaving, designed and created a line of weaving looms and tools and run both online and in person workshops.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Being a life long learner, creating community and nurturing relationships.
Try to do a bit of your desired skill everyday. Pop it in your daily calendar and block out the time.
Reach out to the guilds na d corporations already representing your skill. Attend meet ups. Be active in person more than online.
Don’t forget about the people who help you along the way.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
I have a group of incredible women who all run our own businesses. We meet up every so often to talk about how we are doing. WE talk about all aspects of running creative businesses and try to help one another with advice, connections or even just a sympathetic ear.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.maryannemoodie.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryannemoodie
- Facebook: Facebook.com/maryannemoodie
Image Credits
I own all photos
