Judith Rose 
Bloomington, Indiana

Judith and her husband, John, founded the Textillery, a production weaving studio, in 1978. By 1985 they had 5 AVL looms and 5 employees. They now have expanded to a new state-of-the-art facility with 8 industrial air powered dobby looms and over 20 additional handlooms and 60 employees. The Textillery first sold woven wall hangings, pillows, table runners and placemats at craft fairs. Their success allowed the Roses to become wholesalers and a line of scarves took them into the fashion industry. They pioneered the craze in chenille throws and were awarded the ARTY award for the most innovative product (a chenille throw) at the 1995 ARTS. Their wholesale distribution includes such stores as Neiman Marcus, Crate and Barrel and Jacobsons.

Participants will be transported to the Textillery, one of the largest handweaving studios in the world. There they will see air-powered dobby looms and over 20 additional handlooms in operation. Judith will give an overview of the first 20 years of Textillery operation with particular emphasis on the evolution of the handwoven throw blanket—a retailing success. Participants will take a bus from the Halls of Residence to the Textillery.

Supplies: None.
Fee: None.
Level: All.

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