Karen LeBlanc
Karen LeBlanc has been weaving for over 50 years. She focuses on several distinct streams: weaving traditional, functional and practical pieces on four or eight-harness looms; innovative, contemporary tapestry pieces woven on tapestry looms; and stitched pieces made from repurposed tartan kilts or other fabrics.
Karen has exhibited internationally, nationally, regionally and locally and participated in residencies in Fredericton, Toronto and Parrsboro. In 2019, four woven wearables were part of the ArtWear fashion show and exhibition in Fort Collins CO. She has also exhibited in fibre art and weaving exhibitions in Reno NV, Milwaukee WI, Muskegon MI, New York NY, Toronto ON, Halifax NS, and many other galleries. Karen is a member of several professional organizations: American Tapestry Alliance, Complex Weavers, Handweavers Guild of America, CraftNB, Guild of Canadian Weavers, Beaverbrook Art Gallery, CraftNS, and many more. She is the past President of the Fibre Arts Network (FAN) and past Treasurer of the NB Crafts Foundation.
During the summer of 2021, Karen started creating small hearts that were given to people in memory of Indigenous children who did not return home from a Residential School. Her goal was – and is – to help increase awareness of, and to advocate for, reconciliation.
Prior to retiring from her full-time job in 2019, Karen worked with the Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI) as the Senior Project Manager where she obtained funding for and managed workforce and economic development projects for Indigenous people in New Brunswick.
New Brunswick
Member since 2005
Website
"Jewel Tones Cowl & Cuff", twill, organic cotton, 65cm long x 60cm wide x 138 cm sleeve to sleeve, 2022 The threading is a point twill set at 14 threads per inch. The tie-up was for a basic twill and I treadled a straight twill pattern. I left warp ends on the loom for the fringe. After the warp was cut off the loom, I stitched the top of the cowl with a zigzag stitch and then hemmed the edge by hand. After twisting the fringe, I added silver beads to the ends. Next, I added two drawstrings by threading two groups of warp threads approximately 45 inches long through the cowl. After twisting the ends, I added turquoise wood beads. The drawstrings are tied at the side, creating an adjustable cowl. For the cuff bracelet, I cut a piece of fabric approximately 8” by 5” and machine stitched the edges. I added iron-on interfacing and machine stitched the long edges of the cuff together. After turning it to the right side, I ironed the cuff and handstitched the ends with the silk yarn. I also used the silk yarn to stitch the silver toggle clasps to the cuff ends for the closure. The clasp creates an adjustable cuff.
CUFF DETAIL "Jewel Tones Cowl & Cuff", twill, organic cotton, 65cm long x 60cm wide x 138 cm sleeve to sleeve, 2022
"Burnt Burgundy Fringe Jacket with Offset Collar", twill, organic cotton, 65cm long x 60cm wide x 138 cm sleeve to sleeve, 2020 This jacket was handwoven on an 8-harness loom using a reverse twill pattern. A wine roving yarn was woven through on every 8th shot. The jacket was woven in four pieces: one front, one back and two sleeves. The front was cut to create an offset collar and then sewn on the cut edge on the sides. On the bottom of each section (front, back, sleeves), a 4” warp was left and then fringed after sewing the pieces together. When I was a young teenager, I loved the look of the suede fringe jackets! So I created this fringe jacket. The fringe is on the lower edge of the jacket and on the lower edge of the sleeves, creating an interesting and appealing look. It fits a small to medium size.
DETAIL "Burnt Burgundy Fringe Jacket with Offset Collar", twill, organic cotton, 65cm long x 60cm wide x 138 cm sleeve to sleeve, 2020