“The craft of weaving keeps one humble, but always on the road to creativity and learning, using new patterns and exploring new yarns…. It enriches the individual, yet allows for much sharing with fellow weavers. The varied cultures, throughout history, have contributed to the usefulness and beauty of a handwoven piece. It has benefited the human spirit and continues to enhance and enrich our life and environment.”
Bianca Haglich, RSHM
The Weaving Center is a non-profit community center established by Sister Bianca Haglich, RSHM, to encourage the artistic use of fibers particularly in weaving. The Center has 27 floor looms from 70 cm (28 inches) to 150 cm (60 inches). Warping mills and all related accessories are available for use on-premises. A beautiful collection of yarns are available for purchase during regular business hours, including lovely wools, linens and cottons. The Center offers both group and individual workshops, as well as loom rentals for individual weavers.
Info
Closure Dates 2024-2025
- Thanksgiving: Nov. 26 – Dec. 2
- Christmas & New Year’s: Dec. 24 – Jan. 6
- Easter: Apr. 15 – Apr. 21
- Juneteenth: June 19
- Independence Day: July 4
- August: Closed for the entire month
- Reopening on September 16, 2025
Upcoming events
See all scheduled Weaving Center events.
A Brief History
An accomplished artist and artisan, Sister Bianca was profoundly impacted by her sabbatical in Finland in 1968-1969. Finland had centers in cities and towns where people could meet, weave and exchange ideas. In addition to the art of weaving, the sense of community developed in these centers appealed to Sister Bianca. While she continued to study and teach various forms of art and craft when she returned home, she committed to creating a center where people could gather, weave and create community.
In 1977, with the support of Marymount College, she opened the Craft Skellar, located in the old carpenter shop of the school. By 1993, the college incorporated the growing weaving programs into its continuing education program. Sister Bianca also offered workshops in Finnish techniques. Some weavers use these techniques to create Jewish prayer shawls or Tallits. People of all ages, faiths and backgrounds attended workshops to learn the age-old technique of weaving. Soon, both college students and adults were weaving together. After Marymount College closed in 2007, the Craft Skellar was provided space on the Marymount Convent grounds, and eventually became known as The Weaving Center when it moved to its current location in 2015, just north of the Provincial Center.
Sister Bianca’s Legacy Continues
While Sister Bianca is no longer at The Weaving Center daily, a faithful group of volunteers continue the traditions started by Sister Bianca. The Weaving Center offers a variety of individual private workshops, as well as loom rentals for those working on their own projects.
