When he's not coordinating microbiology studies at UNE, looking to uncover new antibacterial compounds or discover more about the phytochemistry of Australian plants, Dr Dane Lyddiard relaxes by weaving. Here, he explains how his passion for the Japanese Saori style developed and where it's taking him.
"My Mum is a weaver and I grew up with looms and yarn all around me. As kids, we sometimes had a bit of a go on Mum’s looms, but it wasn’t until my 30s that I started to develop my own interest in weaving.
"I started on a rigid heddle loom, practising a more traditional weaving style, but found it could be a little slow and tedious. I quickly grew bored of it. My Mum had begun doing a creative Japanese free weaving style called Saori (mostly using cotton and woollen yarns) and I fell in love with the unique fabrics she was creating and the ease of setting up the loom.
As a poor student at the time, getting into Saori weaving involved choosing between fixing up my car or buying a loom. Anyone who sees me driving around town knows the choice I made.
"As a poor student at the time, getting into Saori weaving involved choosing between fixing up my car or buying a loom. Anyone who sees me driving around town knows the choice I made. Weaving on a Saori loom can be as light or involved as you like. For example, I’m pretty time-poor so I buy long 10-30-metre pre-wound warps (the threads you weave between) rather than making them myself. Once the loom is threaded with a warp (this can take an hour or so), it can last me months. I just cut off one project and re-clip the warp for the next, which is really quick.
"While I love to just lose hours (and forget to go to bed), listening to music and weaving, I generally only have half an hour free here and there, which is enough to see good progress. It's a little like therapy."
Celebrating imperfection, spontaneity and creativity
"Saori weaving is the antithesis of my obsessive compulsive tendencies. Rather than imperfections and unbridled creativity being frowned upon (as in traditional weaving), Saori weaving celebrates imperfection, spontaneity and creativity as being what makes hand-woven fabric unique. After all, why try to simply replicate what a machine can do quicker and cheaper?
"When I’m stressed, the freedom to make mistakes and be spontaneous, and the rhythmic passing and beating of threads (sometimes known to be accompanied by the Red Hot Chilli Peppers at 1am on a Friday night) take me to my happy place.
"I have been weaving for a few years and I'm now undertaking a TAFE course (a Cert III in Applied Fashion Design) to learn how to make my woven fabrics into clothing. I was planning to visit Japan this year to spend time at a school that teaches Saori weaving, but unfortunately that's not going to happen. Maybe next year."
