Weaving an enhanced sense of self and a collective sense of self through creative textile‐making

Abstract

Historically, the occupation of textile‐making has fulfilled basic human needs. It also offers a means of expressing cultural and personal identity and developing self‐awareness. Drawing on an ethnography of a British guild of weavers, spinners and dyers, this paper explores how a sense of self is enhanced by becoming and being a textile‐maker through creative doing, and a collective sense of self develops from belonging to a guild. The findings indicate that a sense of self comes from an intrinsic need to make textiles that is closely connected to one's personal background, affinity for materials, skill mastery, passion for rhythm and process, spiritual commitment and continuity with the past. A collective sense of self is related to sharing occupation and working together as a part of a group. This brings about a sense of belonging, which in turn enhances quality of life and perceptions of well‐being.