Artist:
Astrid Tauber
Bio:
My name is Astrid Tauber, and I am a 16-year-old weaver, spinner, and garment maker. I make all things large and small from my handwoven fabrics from boots to gowns. With every new idea, I try to create a learning experience out of the process. Whether it’s finer threads, a new structure, or an odd new component to throw in the mix I want to explore that new idea and bring its challenges to life. I was recently asked what the most challenging project I’ve ever worked on was, typically, it is my current project. I am always adding new and intricate elements to my work because I love trying new things.
Artist Statement:
These boots are a reflection of how inspiration takes shape—starting as a simple idea and evolving into something unexpected. The vision began with a fascination for Victorian footwear, reimagined with whimsical handwoven fabric in polka dots, stripes, and solids. Each element was carefully woven on an 8 shaft jack loom, blending historical elegance with a playful, modern twist. The mix of patterns and textures showcases how inspiration can transform tradition into something entirely new.
Techniques Used: Three fabrics were used to create this pair of boots, an 8 shaft turned taquete polka dot draft originally designed by Iowa Weaver with purple 60/2 silk and green cotton in the warp and blue 60/2 silk as the weft. Then, stripes are woven on the same threading and tie-up, but only using one of the pattern treadles and the same yarns as the main fabric. Lastly, a solid blue woven with the same blue 60/2 silk in the weft of the previous fabrics in a 2/1 twill. The leathers are from Mood Fabrics and they don't label all of their leathers. I picked them based on color, thickness, and stretch/ease. The shoe patterns I drafted myself as they are an odd style to find on most shoe pattern sites and I've also made several fit changes to my lasts and most patterns no longer fit. Shoe construction is a simplified version of traditional techniques.
Materials: 60/2 Silk, cotton (unlabeled from a guild sale), leather, 1/6" grommets, 60" waxed cotton laces, resin soles, insole foam, thermoplastic stiffeners, coarse-grained cork filler, water based contact adhesive, Barge all purpose cement.
Measurements: 12" x 12" x 12"
Inspiration:
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