Jackie Sylvester

I do treasure the association, I guess in particular, when I first joined, the association [with the older members] and the knowledge they had. It's just so valuable to be able to have knowledge passed on like that and, you know, there just aren't other ways to get that sort of information.

Jackie Sylvester learned to weave as a teenager in Hudson, Québec. By the age of fifteen she began weaving at a local studio, but took a hiatus from the fibre arts to pursue a career in design. She joined the Kingston Handloom Weavers and Spinners in 2002, after attending a Guild sale and was quickly involved in leading and organizing workshops. Along with weaving, Sylvester has also become involved in felting, a technique in which wool fibre is agitated in soap and water to create a strong fabric, and eco printing. When the Guild relocated to the renovated Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning, Sylvester played a key role in working with the City of Kingston to tailor the studio space to the needs of the Guild.

Sylvester discusses how she learned to weave and how the Kingston Handloom Weavers and Spinners has been significant to her life.