Weaving a Life: The Story of Mary Meigs Atwater

by Mary Jo Reiter, Veronica Patterson (Editor)

Charming biography of a witty, learned, curious woman who exercised her talents in many wild places of the New World, accompanying her husband, a mining engineer. She founded Shuttle-Craft Guild, which explains publication of her story by a house specializing in weaving. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

208 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1992

Reviews

[Virginia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a disappointment to me. I guess I was most interested in the weaving aspects of her life. The first 3/4 of the book told me more about mining than I wanted to know. But the last 1/4 did talk about her founding of shuttle craft and her definite contributions to documenting weaving and bringing it forward in the United States. It lacked the charm of shuttle craft book.

[Cyber Dot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most readers of this book select it because Mary Meigs Atwater is the so-called "dean" of American hand-weaving. The book is largely self-written by Meigs Atwater and a rollicking autobiography it is! The compiler and editor of this book admit that the volume does not go into a lot of detail: "Without extensive coverage appropriate to a more technical biography, it is difficult to indicate in any detail the scope of [Mary's] activities." (pg 190). For example, you never really learn how Meigs Atwater became such a proficient weaver.

Early feminism, studying art in Paris, women in mining camps, trout fishing, beaver farming, the flu epidemic of 1918, occupational therapy ... all these topics and more are in this autobiography. There are delightful family photographs included. Meigs Atwater moved with her mining engineer/superintendent husband many times. There were adventures in Mexico and Bolivia; money made and money lost. She grew to love Montana and spent many years of widowhood there.

The five-star review is not for the literary quality, it is for the unique story of a remarkable person.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly an amazing woman. Definitely one who broke the glass ceiling! Yes, contrary to popular, progressive news - many women broke the glass ceiling long ago. No woman today has the strength, mind, or willingness and determination as the one described herewith. This book is also a good read for the descriptions of early 1900s USA. As a handweaver, I am grateful for her research, documentation, dissemination, and revival of handweaving. Her recognition of weaving as a healing art is foundational and best described by her own words in May 1933: "We are two-handed creatures, and the close connections between hands, heart, and mind are a part of our being. The age of machinery greatly impoverished our lives through depriving our hands of so much of the work that for time immemorial had been their function. The great modern revival of handicraft is a wholesome thing, making for peace, comfort, and pleasant living... even if nobody ever made a yard of handwoven fabric for sale."

[Cayenne · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a hard life this woman led. I think her attitude about it must have been at least partly due to her generation. I keep thinking about her and the things she put up with from her husband, but how she found so much beauty and adventure in life and how she made so many friends. She was a survivor. Very interesting book.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fascinating read. Mary had an incredible life. I felt like a fly on the wall through many fascinating eras in history as I read this book. She lived 1878-1956 and lived throughout the country. She was very talented and resilient. I recommend this book! It was very thought provoking.

[Polly]

K sanders

[Denise Kovnat · Rating 3 out of 5]

More about the woman who became a great weaver than about her weaving life.