Gaoth an Iar Iar-dheas – Story Plaid, a hand stitched story
This hand woven plaid is a story of earthly & feminine power
Gaoth an Iar iar-dheas (Gaelic) means West South West winds in English. See more of the story below.
Gaoth an Iar Iar-dheas Product Information
Fibres – 100% Merino Lambswool Yarn from British mills, with hand spun inlayed yarns of mixed natural fibres such as Shetland and Merino wools & Nettle fibres
Dimensions – 91cm x 250cm (+/- 5%)
Design – a hand woven plaid pattern with hand stitched embellishments along the edges of the piece + some silver and green beading
Gaoth an Iar Iar-dheas – Story Plaid, a hand stitched story
£399.00Out of stock
The Story
There was a Scottish tradition of reading wind direction: seeing them as living spirits. The Gaoth an iar iar-dheas is the West South West wind. It is the wind of Mothers and is described as the colour green, bringing healing. See the swirling hand stitched wind patterns along the outer edges of the plaid. Embellished with silver and green beading that embody the magic and power of such a Spring wind.
The Story Plaids are a mix of traditional pattern with details that tell a story of Scotland’s rugged and wild landscape. Scotland’s folklore weaves the natural with the magical, describing a place of fairies and giants, of plantlore and history. The Story Plaids bring together a magic unique to Scotland.
The new set of three story plaids are inspired by Spring in Scotland. The feeling of abundance returning after many colder, darker months. The tiny signs of returning plant growth, the strong winds and bright sunshine. The small pockets of snow that still sit in hollows along the high ridges but retract with the warming days.
The Making
I love traditional patterns and believe their classic look will transcend seasons. The plaid is synonymous to Scotland and the designs are rooted in this pattern. I believe in creating one off pieces that reflect the wearer or owner of each piece. The stories are so unique and will not be re-created. Scotland radiates magic, it is why we often feel connected to it from afar. Each Story Plaid is a piece of textile art that illustrates this. The embellishments may be hand stitched, hand felted or threaded with hand spun art yarns that I spin myself. These are added directly to the fabric whilst it is being woven on the loom. The tensioned fabric is the perfect surface to work from.
The designs are made using gentle techniques that hark back to slower times. Using a loom in my Scottish studio, it is powered by hands and feet not electricity. I use natural fibres and yarns that come from British, Scottish & Irish mills, chosen for quality and sustainability. Each step is carefully considered so that the textile is made to the very highest of standards. A hand woven textile has life and personality and, if looked after, will look beautiful for many years ahead.
The Story Plaids can be worn, used as a blanket or throw, or hung on a wall as a piece of art in their own right.