Carpet Diem!
Create a family heir-loom at Elsie’s Discount Roving
By Sabine Wilson
For the TODAY
When I found out that I would learn how to make my very own rug on a loom for my next article, I was ecstatic. Every time I passed Elsie’s Discount Roving in Lincoln Beach I thought to myself, “One day I’ll make a rug.” And that day had come.
There is something grounding about a return to a tool that has successfully withstood the test of time. The loom has history reaching from China to Colombia and can even be traced back to 4400 BC Egypt. The loom can be credited for the rise of early mass-produced fashion and played a significant role during the Industrial Revolution.
And while the art of looming dates back so many years ago, there is a novelty in investing time into learning how to create something using a machine that needs no electricity.
I am no crafter — my experience in creativity begins and ends with my color-coded calendars. So I decided to bring my favorite crafter along with me, my friend Megan. She enjoys drawing, painting, making bracelets, rings — you name it.
Setting up the appointment with owner Elsie Chiavario was the easy part. And when Megan and I walked into Elsie’s studio, we were amazed. The handcrafted looms, made by her late husband, Jack, the rugs, the baskets, the beautiful materials; this was rug-making heaven.
“I estimate that I’ve made about three to 4,000 rugs so far,” Elsie said. “It’s been 30 years and I still love it.”
Elsie spent years traveling to places like Seattle and Boise to sell her rugs, but has found the joy in passing her craft down to others right at home.
“Honestly, my favorite part is the teaching,” she said. “I love watching people say, ‘Oh I’ll never be able to do this’ and then always make something beautiful that they’re proud of.”
And she is indeed a wonderful and encouraging teacher.
The lesson begins with picking materials from a room full of amazingly colored raw wool that is sturdy and high quality.
What’s more — they are all upcycled and being given a new life.
“I use all Pendleton materials because of the quality and lovely colors,” Elsie said.
When we settled on the colors we felt most drawn to, I began to feel a little intimidated looking at all the string and complicated pieces that make up a loom.
It was helpful to watch Elsie teach Megan first, simply observing and studying the technique. And, after some growing pains, we were weaving. To help us remember the key approach to it, Megan and I created the phrase “pull, switch feet, pull” and we would repeat it back and forth to one another across the room.
If we faltered, Elsie was right there to keep us from completely messing up. And no matter how many questions we asked, Elsie was happy to answer, always encouraging us.
“There’s just no use in being impatient,” she said. “Yelling and tough love just makes people nervous. And I want everyone to know they can do it and enjoy the process.”
Even the rug was forgiving, weaving my mistakes into a symmetrical piece of art.
“What’s neat is you’re able to see it get more and more beautiful and complete as you go along,” Elsie said. “It’s motivating.”
It was hard to believe that what I started with would eventually grow into a beautiful 32-by-54-inch rug, but it did.
Looking at the beautiful rugs we made sends a dose of serotonin through my body. As Elsie said from the beginning, “People tend to say, ‘Oh look how talented I am!” after finishing their rug. Agreed.
Taking something so complex and making it accessible is a gift, and Elsie has certainly found her calling.
Because Megan was not able to finish her rug in time Elsie finished it for her, something she does for clients regularly, and we were able to enjoy our rugs that night.
We initially imagined giving the fruits of our looms as Christmas presents, but we both found it too hard to part with something we had worked so hard on and that ended up being so beautiful.
I highly recommend this calming and meditative process to all.
Elsie’s Discount Roving is located at 4210 NE Hwy. 101, three miles north of Depoe Bay. A $60 fee covers all instruction and materials. For reservations, call 541-764-3997. Bringing lunch or a snack with you is recommended, as the process takes four to six hours.