Annette Aylward grew up on a farm in rural Hessen, Germany, in a family with a strong weaving tradition. Her great-grandparents had a business spinning and weaving flax into sheets, tablecloths, towels, and clothing. It was a tradition that continued until commercial cloth became readily available after WWII.
When Annette moved to the US, she was inspired to try her hand at weaving after she received a trove of homespun linens from her family. She turned her hobby into a full-time business, Annette Aylward Woven Goods, after receiving praise for her work (most notably from Alexandra Sklar of The Merchant Home). Today, working from her Northern California studio, Annette weaves each item by hand from 100 percent linen.
Above: Part of Annette’s Time Collection, the Day Towel and Night Towel are designed to coordinate with each other; $49 each.
Above: Annette’s Crossroads Towel is a limited edition; $49.
Above: Annette notes: “Linen is a sustainable and naturally antimicrobial fiber that absorbs moisture very quickly, dries fast, becomes even thirstier with each use, and washes well. The slightly heavier yarn and loose weave texture of a handwoven product enhance these features.”
Above: Another limited-edition item, the Home Towel features a simple eyelet edge; $49.
Above: Two more from the Time Collection: Annette’s Morning Towel and Evening Towel; $49 each.
Above: The textured Point Pillow features a classic twill pattern; $109.
Above: Annette’s floor loom is much like that used by her grandparents.
Above: Potholder No. 1 is handwoven and sewn from French and Belgian linen; $29 for the pair.
Above: Potholder No. 2; $29 per pair.
Above: Potholder No. 6; $29 per pair.
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