Submitted by the Orcas Christian School

Orcas Christian School students are currently weaving so they can donate hand-woven blankets/wraps to the local food bank.

When Joyce Rupp and her husband first came to Orcas in the late 1970s there was an active Textile Guild. There was a lot of wool carding, spinning, dying and weaving going on. There were also a few old die-hard teachers who wanted to pass on their craft to younger (in those days) ones.

Phyllis Blanchette “adopted” Joyce and a few others. They started a weaver’s co-op where one could weave and sell products to provide income for struggling families. Phyllis secured a small business loan and purchased an electric rug loom. Phyllis taught the women to weave on six 24-inch table looms.

But Phyllis died unexpectedly of a heart attack. Her husband, Rod was forced to sell the big loom and close the shop. None of the workers had the financial ability to keep it going, but they did have what knowledge Phyllis was able to instill in them. Several weeks after her death, Joyce reminded Rod she still had the loom Phyllis had given her. His response was “and that is exactly where she would want it to be.” For several years Joyce wove, but as babies joined their family and a full-time job came along the trusty loom moved into storage.

In 2001, Kathy Roosma, primary teacher at OCS found out that a parent of one of her first graders, knew how to knit. Kathy asked Maria Nutt to start a knitting program at the school. Maria was a member of the San Juan Textile Guild and put out a request for knitting yarns and needles. Maria started teaching students “finger knitting,” and then proceeded with knitting with needles. Over the years, Maria has brought in her drum carder, spinning wheels and a floor loom for the students to use. The guild has donated yarn over the years, which has allowed the program to continue. In the past, the students have made blankets and hats that they have donated to Children’s Hospital in Seattle.

In 2013, Joyce contacted Maria and asked her if she would like the table loom.

After a little bit of elbow grease, the loom was ready to bring into the classroom. Andy Troxel constructed a new stand for the loom which allows the foot treadles to be used in addition to the hand levers.

Textile learning continues at OCS. The students knit at least once a week and now have their own loom. It takes a community to make things happen.