Meet Gail DeMeyere, The Linen Workshop

 

By nature, I am an observer and collector of visual and tactile experiences that rest in my mind until it is time to incorporate them into design. I began this journey early on through hands-on study of techniques, being present in nature, going to museums...

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At the University of Michigan, I graduated with a degree in the History of Art and years later, graduated with an MS in Textile Design, Marketing and Management from North Carolina State University. My thesis focused on the history of sweater design.

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In 2017, I authored a book with Jane Merrill and Keren Ben-Horin called, "The Sweater, A History" exploring the scope of sweater design and its influence on modern culture. Over the years I have worked as an art director, curator, and knitwear designer. I have strolled across my fair share of sheep pastures, attended and taught classes and presented my work at trade shows.

 

With Finnish-American roots, the gift of "sisu" (along with the sheer love of the craft) has kept me on this path of knitwear and textile design. I am persistent in my quest to deliver information about the history of textile design and how materials and social structure influence what we wear. 

 

The Linen Workshop was incorporated in response to my knitting (or sewing) with new or vintage linen. At the same time, I realize that both linen and wool toggle back and forth from my needles. During the years, I have had several small business ventures in knitwear design and art consultation. Now is the time for me to return to work in the vein that brings me joy. I choose to represent various forms of textile design and see where it leads me.

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There is a point at which everything becomes simple and there is no longer any question of choice, because all you have staked will be lost if you look back. Life’s point of no return.

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Dag Hammarskjöld