romo looms
sonoma county-BASED fiber arts BY trudie folsom
After a lifetime of drawing and painting, Trudie Folsom discovered weaving in 2016. Trudie weaves with wool, cotton, linen, and fabric remnants that would normally go into landfill, but especially with the wool from the critically endangered Navajo Churro sheep. Trudie’s mother’s birth name is Romo, and Trudie’s weaving reflects the culture of her ancestors who fled Spain and settled in northern New Mexico hundreds of years ago.
Rio Grande Blankets & Rugs
In 2018 I took a Chimayo weaving workshop from Lisa Trujillo, and that style of weaving really resonated with me. I soon discovered that it’s the Rio Grande style that I’m most drawn to. Probably because it’s a style of weaving from the area in northern New Mexico where my mother’s family settled from Spain hundreds of years ago. I especially love weaving with the wool from Navajo Churro sheep that were introduced to that area by the Spanish in the 16th century. The Navajo Churro is a critically endangered sheep, and I like supporting the Navajo (Diné) who raise them and the people who process and sell Churro wool and yarn.
For more information about the Navajo Churro sheep https://livestockconservancy.org/heritage-breeds/heritage-breeds-list/navajo-churro-sheep/
upcycled runners and pillows
I began weaving with “upcycled” materials when a friend who sews blankets gave me huge bags full of alpaca selvedges that she’d been collecting and didn’t have the heart to throw away. I also weave with selvedges from the remnants of colorful silk saris made in India and even old fabric that friends give me. Although I use selvedges for the weft, I also incorporate Churro wool, which also makes these pieces special to me.