Common Threads: Voices of Pennsylvania’s Textile Community
A New Space for Stories From Our Fiber Community
We’re proud to introduce Common Threads: Voices of Pennsylvania’s Textile Community, PA Fibershed’s first-ever member zine!
This community-powered publication brings together stories and articles told in our members’ own words, highlighting the people shaping a more connected and regenerative regional fiber system across Pennsylvania.
In this inaugural issue, you’ll hear from a sheep shearer, a textile shop owner, a weaver, a mill owner, a natural dyer, apparel and furniture designers and more. This collection brings together voices from across Pennsylvania, each offering their perspective on building a more local, transparent, and resilient textile ecosystem.
Inside, you’ll find:
Stories from the field and studio
Reflections on craft, sustainability, and place
Insight into how fiber moves through our region
Why We Created Common Threads
Our work is centered on connection, between land and material, producer and maker, and community and craft. A large part of what makes this work possible is our community’s desire to learn, connect, and transform a broken system into one that reconnects people to the land and to each other.
To do this, we must prioritize transparency across the textile and fiber industry. Common Threads is one way we are working toward that goal. Too often, the origins of materials are unclear, the people behind the work are invisible, and the journey from raw fiber to finished product is fragmented or hidden entirely.
This publication seeks to highlight the incredible individuals behind this work, bringing us closer to our textiles and clothing while fostering a deeper understanding of the process and the thought and care that goes into every step.
Each article is grounded in real experience, real materials, and real relationships.
We hope you enjoy!
Vol.1 Contributors:
We extend our sincere thanks to the members who contributed to this inaugural issue for trusting us with their stories and sharing their work with the broader community.
Loran Grishow-Schade, Approved Textiles
Shannon Cunningham, Beauty on Budget
Justin Beitzel, Common Object Studio
Stephanie Gleit, Gleit Design
Carly Kusy, ThomasJefferson University
Laura Hricko, Natural Dyer
Laura Fitzmorris, One Another Fiber Mill
Grace Mallen Chen, [shào-xi] BLUE
Marissa Smith, The Sheep Smith
Leah D’ambrosio, Wol Hide
Want to Share Your Story?
We’re already thinking about the next issue!
If you’re a current PA Fibershed member interested in contributing to our next issue, whether by sharing your work, your process, or your perspective, please take a moment to fill out the expression of interest form so we can ensure you receive all the necessary information when it becomes available.
If you’d like to contribute but are not currently a member, you can explore our membership options and benefits here.