Catriona is a silk handweaver and dyer apprentice working with Jaine Mahon at Skye Silks in Scotland. With the support of QEST funding, Catriona will increase her apprenticeship hours from one to three days per week, enabling her to further develop her skills. The training will encompass all aspects of silk weaving and dyeing, including yarn selection, warp making, loom dressing, and dyeing processes, with the goal of securing a full-time position after her apprenticeship.
The apprenticeship combines hands-on learning with one-to-one tuition, allowing Catriona to work alongside Jaine in her traditional hand-weaving studio. She will also support the delivery of Skye Silks’ weaving courses, sharing her growing knowledge of the endangered craft of silk handloom weaving.
Catriona is committed to pushing the boundaries of traditional silk weaving, blending established techniques with contemporary innovation. She aims to create her own product lines in high-quality silk textiles while contributing to the robust sustainable practices at Skye Silks. In the future, as Jaine approaches retirement, Catriona aspires to manage Skye Silks and ultimately pass on her skills to the next generation of weavers.
