"Jennie Weaves An Apprentice"
Chilkat Blanket Robe
Presently weaving this robe

photo by Clarissa Hudson

Handspun and commercial merino wool yarns, fur
4.5 ft x 5.5 ft
Collection of the Artist
© Copyright 2007 Clarissa Hudson
Contact Clarissa for permission to use images or text for educational purposes only

Jennie passed away in July 1986 two months after she taught me the intricacies of Chilkat weaving. I began working on a Chilkat robe design to weave the story of my apprenticeship with her. It is also a representation of passing down a traditional knowledge from a clan member to the opposite clan member. The design is a Chilkat robe within a Chilkat robe: "Jennie is weaving a robe, the design is of a Raven, her apprentice. I have been tweaking a few of the design elements over the past 20 years. Finally, in September 2006, I began weaving the robe, 20 years after Jennie's passing.

Design Explanation:
(A) In the top center, the Chilkat face represents Jennie, with a (B) labret in her lower lip denoting her “status” as the last of the traditional Chilkat weavers. (C) The “crown” above her head symbolizes her as “queen” of her precious knowledge. (D) She was from the Eagle clan, depicted on both sides of her, (E) the wings and claws positioned on both sides of the (F) Chilkat robe she is weaving in the central lower part of the overall design. Within the blanket she is weaving (G) another face represents her apprentice of the Raven clan; (H) Raven’s head, (I) wings, (J) tail, (K) body, and (L) claws. (M) A “filler” design completes both sides of the overall robe.
“….a robe within a robe…..” Copyright 1991 Clarissa Hudson

Click here to read about "Jennie Weaves An Apprentice" Chilkat Weavers' Handbook by Clarissa Hudson

Click here to read Jennie Thlunaut's Biography