Shirley Browsky

"Texture is the fabric of my life." There is no place for static, smooth surfaces. I try to put some of that texture into every piece of fabric that I create. Each creation literally takes place from the ground up.

Colour is of particular importance to me. I am intrigued by the interaction of colours with each other and weave structures. As I can dye my own colours, I have a very special feeling of how a colour is made up and what it will work with. With my sound knowledge of yarns, colours, design and weave structures and knitting techniques, I can create specialty handwoven skirt, jacket and coat fabrics as well as sweaters for both men and women.

In 1987, I developed a unique fabric "Mohair Feltknit" which was featured in 'Spin Off' magazine, Interweave Press, USA. This fabric is similar to boiled wool but much more flexible as the base fabric is knitted. The fabric is then felted, cut and sewn into jackets and vests. This was the original felted knitting design.

My work has been exhibited in Ottawa, Kingston, Guelph, Toronto and Washington and have won several awards of excellence. My one-of-a-kind garments have been sold to clients in San Francisco, New York, Memphis, Atlanta, Japan, Germany and across Canada. I have published several textile-related articles in Canada and the United States, and lecture and teach extensively. I was chosen six years running as one of Chatelaine Magazine's "Celebrity Experts" at the Creative Sewing & Needlework Festivals in Toronto, Calgary and Edmonton where I teach knitting, finishing and designing techniques. I am currently a dye consultant for textile conservators at the museum of civilization, The National War Museum and Parks Canada.