Common Thread's Story

In 2003 Common Thread was just an idea, a dream about remembrance and honoring life. Common Thread would be a place where students could be taught the art of weaving, where works would be created from recycled and donated fabrics, and ultimately where original textile creations could be purchased with proceeds to benefit organizations working to improve the quality of life for families in Lee County.

Today, Common Thread is fulfilling that dream. As a non-profit organization, it is dedicated to helping others through its creative work. Common Thread includes a studio, weaving instructors, fourteen looms and amazing students creating functional art, with a growing list of excited soon-to-be weavers. Being fortunate to have several instructors, Common Thread is able to offer the student a choice in levels of interest and flexible class schedules. The result is beautiful hand woven articles for sale at the Common Thread studio/store location, 234 Carthage Street in historic downtown Sanford, North Carolina.

The goals of Common Thread are to educate, create and perpetuate. Education is accomplished through workshops where students are introduced to the basics of hand weaving and textile arts. For information on how to enroll in the next available class, please call (919) 774-7524.

Janet Trent

Janet Trent, our founding weaving instructor, remains involved as a textile designer specializing in woven fabrics. She has a B.S. degree in Industrial Arts, with a teaching degree from Appalachian State University and a Masters of Industrial Design/Woven Textile Design from North Carolina State University. Additionally, she has spent time at both the Penland School and The Appalachian Center for Crafts. Janet has worked professionally in textiles in both New York City and North Carolina.

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