SAORI Weaving

SAORI is a contemporary hand weaving style founded in Japan. This zen, therapeutic method of free-style weaving without any rules or restrictions of what or how to weave can temporarily remove us from the stress of our daily lives.

SAORI weaving is not merely the act of weaving a piece of cloth; it is an attempt to identify our true selves. This therapeutic way of weaving heals you from your busy daily lives because SAORI is free-style weaving. “All flowers are beautiful, even though each individual flower is different in form and color. Because of this difference, “all are good”. Because everything has the same life, life cannot be measured by a yardstick. It is this individuality that makes everything meaningful and the uniqueness of each thread that creates the tapestry of life."

“All flowers are beautiful, even though each individual flower is different in form and color. Because of this difference, “all are good”. Because everything has the same life, life cannot be measured by a yardstick. It is this individuality that makes everything meaningful and the uniqueness of each thread that creates the tapestry of life."

Chiaki O'Brien

I am a SAORI Weaving artist/teaching artist, Bengala Dye artist/teaching artist and Taiko Performer, instructor. I teach people of all ages and abilities.

It has been 17 years since I moved to Minnesota, U.S.A. from Japan. I not only started planting SAORI Weaving seeds in Minnesota/Midwest, but also planting “roots for myself”. I didn’t know anybody except for my husband’s family. I started working at a Montessori preschool to gain experience working in this country and make connections with other people! Not only that, I was able to learn English from the pre-schoolers that were good level for me to learn English!
“My coned yarn” was very small in 2004, but now I have a BIG AND THICK coned yarn! I sometimes refer to this to express how my connections has grown! (Of course, because I am a weaver!) Because of the connections through working at the preschool, teaching SAORI Weaving/Bengala Dyeing, performing/teaching Taiko and other activities I participated in, my coned yarn is huge and is still growing! SAORI, Bengala Dye, and Taiko have been providing many great opportunities for me to connect with new people and communities.

I started Bengala Dyeing and Taiko (Japanese drumming) after I came to Minnesota because of the connections I made. I have more communities to be involved in because of these which brings me joy!
I think the seeds I have been sewing are growing and blooming. I appreciate all the wonderful people I have met!
I will not stop planting more of myself. It give me new life!

What past students are saying:

"I had so much fun and found this style of weaving to be so relaxing!! My daughter and I signed up for the class in April!! I can't wait to do it all again!"

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