to tallis 
Welcome to Tallit, a newfound aspect of LostArts, where Laine Barbanell Schipper creates hand-woven heirloom traditions.
from loom
to tallis
Hand-Woven Heirloom Traditions
The union of my spiritual interests and my long-time fascination with the fiber arts has offered me a very meaningful avenue of self-expression. The harmonious blend of these two aspects of my life has resulted in the creation of Tallit . . . hand-woven heirloom traditions.
The tallit is itself enwrapped in religious symbolism. At each corner there is a tzitzit (a tassel) of ritual knotting. The purpose of the tallit is to remind a person of God’s unity, as well as the 613 mitzvot in the Torah. A tallit I believe creates a personal space in which to worship.
It is born of tradition . . . Linking us to the centuries
generations before us . . . generations yet to come . . .
In 1991, I wove my first tallit as both a wedding gift for my husband Joel, and as the chuppah (wedding canopy) under which we were married. As I explored the history and development of the tallit, I found a point of entry into my religion. As I studied further, I was moved to write . . .
"I am impressed by the fabric of which Judaism is constructed: the strength, the varied texture, the rich colors . . . the boldness and subtlety. It is a fabric renewed by the very process of its creation."
As I weave, I fall into the rhythmic and meditative motion which provides me the time and context to think, while Judaism provides me with important thoughts and ideas to consider. I have come to feel that the process by which I am able to turn individual threads into fabric is a metaphor of miracles. I create each tallit with a deep respect for its religious importance and with a hope of designing an heirloom which you will find both personally and spiritually enveloping.
Custom Tallit "Made to Order". Pearl cotton tallit, hand-woven and sewn by Laine.. Work together with Laine to create a tallit in your own color choices, or choose a tallit and bag from a selection Laine has designed in a variety of colors. The tallit will be 19'' x 72'', including hand-woven double length atara, corners, and matching, fully lined bag. Plus, shipping, and tax (California residents only). A deposit is required.
Write to Laine at mailto:Lost-Arts@SBCglobal.com
Look at samples of my work in these galleries
go to gallery1 for 3 views of one sample tallis
go to gallery2 for white, off-white by white tallitot
go to gallery3 for white, off-white by off-white tallitot
go to gallery4 for white, light blue by light blue tallitot
go to gallery5 for off-white, light green by light blue tallitot
go to gallery6 for white with tyrol and teal tallitot, including rainbows
go to gallery7 for light gray tallitot
go to gallery8 for lavendar and purple tallitot
go to gallery9 for mauve and burgundy tallitot
go to gallery10 for black with dark blue tallitot
Please note: custom weaving usually takes a six month lead time