Weekend Review: Marking Time

Marking Time with Fabric & Thread / Tommye McClure Scanlin
Atglen, PA: Schiffer, c2024.
198 p.

Renowned weaver Tommye McClure Scanlin has put together a book full of textile time-keeping projects. From her own lengthy practice of daily weaving, to others who crochet, knit, embroider or quilt diaries of daily data, this book talks about many different artists and projects. I did find it quite focused on weavers, since this is the author's specialty. I can't knit and can barely crochet so those were fascinating but not things I'd do myself either. The embroidery or quilt focused ones were the ones I could relate to a little more. 

Still, the concepts were interesting for anyone intrigued by data visualization. There were climate projects, use of codes like Morse or Braille, emotion trackers, daily reflections and more, all personalized to the artist's interests. And so many beautiful photos of all the things talked about. It's really a book to flip through slowly and investigate projects one by one. 

 McClure Scanlin starts off by introducing her own artistic practice and how she got involved in daily fibre diaries, with multiyear examples. She talks about the power of daily practice, and the book also includes some creative prompts. Then we meet a bunch of other artists interested in this idea, as well. I'd say that these were all established, professional artists, so they have the time and experience for projects like this. And the ability to share and exhibit many of their works also. So in that sense it is more aspirational for part-time or hobby craft artists; I didn't find anything grabbed me personally as something I could incorporate in my beginner work. 

Still, a great look at a popular way of creating work, and I really appreciated the blend of science and craft in many of these data visualization projects. It's a nice collection, one I appreciated being able to check out through my library.