Mary Thomas has joined Carol M. to show the angels how to bring Fiber Arts to a celestial level!
Mary Thomas is remembered by DFA members as an appreciator of people and the hand made. She learned her appreciation of things finely handcrafted from her family, when she was growing up in Rockford, Illinios. Mary taught summer classes for Allied Arts for years and was a strong advocate for children.
Mary credits her family for giving her an appreciation of things finely handcrafted. These handmade items were to be respected and treasured. The family was one of the recipients of her aunt’s silver work. Her aunt created jewelry and spoons. Mary’s father worked with wood and made small wood chests for jewelry and spoon and spice racks.
But it was Mary’s mother who provided the fiber and sewing interest. Her mother sewed very well. As she grew up in Rockford, Illinois, Mary knitted and sewed doll clothes.
After graduating from the University of Illinois with an elementary education degree, she taught for six years across the country – Illinois, New York and California. After her children were raised, she has worked with children in many volunteer programs. Vicki Gerton and Mary coordinated children’s summer classes for Allied Arts for five years. Currently Mary works in the Lewis and Clark Elementary School’s Special Friends program. The school guidance counselor assigns a child who needs a friend.
While living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she took a batik class. It was an eye opener. A lot of work went into achieving the unique look! Soon after that she enrolled in a Beka Loom weaving course.
The Beka loom came with Mary when she moved to Richland in the mid-1970s. A group of natural dyeing people were forming DFA at that time. Mary states that the members themselves were what attracted her to the group. In particular, “Edith Marsh was so relaxed and nice to work with”. Mary joined DFA and has been involved ever since. She has been on the board in every capacity and more than once.
Seeing the work of others has been inspiring and has encouraged her to try things. Mary has a real sense of what goes with what. She’s always thinking “I’ll cut that up and make a vest.” A very successful example was when she combined a “very ugly” scarf that she had discharged and an African shawl which a friend had brought back. Both garments went onto Mary’s cutting table and were subsequently put together to make an elegant vest. In her standard spirit of thinking of others, she gave it to her daughter for a charity auction and it was sold to someone on the Washington coast. A 24” Norwood workshop loom is in her studio. It is limited by width – limited to making small things … like vests!
For a few years Mary made up Folkwear patterns for locally owned Ariel when the store sold the patterns and fabric. She recalls making an Egyptian shirt with a smocked front. Ariel put the garments on display and sold them.
Mildred Stice took Mary under her arm and taught her how to spin from roving Mary had won at a DFA recycling vest contest. She’s spun at the Renaissance Fair, Sacajawea Park, the Benton Franklin County Fair and many other venues to promote the craft.
When asked what main thing is she passionate about, she replied “to keep fit”. You can find her at the Columbia Basin Racquet Club playing tennis 3 times a week and in the aerobic classes.
— by Chris Simonen
