Susan Hayes Handwovens was founded in 1982 in Point Reyes Station California. We began with a line of accessories handwoven of 100% silk sold exclusively to galleries and boutiques in the Western United States

In 1988 we moved to national distribution with an expanded selection of fabrics and clothing styles. Soon after we began to exhibit in juried crafts shows throughtout the country.

A desire to become a true ateleir prompted the opening of our current store in 1993. Here we are able to showcase our entire collection and also feature additional california and american made clothing.

Over these years we have gone through many design changes, alway striving for new offerings for our customers. We invite you to see us at a craft show, drop by the store or visit one of the many retailers that carry our work. We look forward to meeting you and showing what we love doing!

Our retail store presents our entire collection of handwovens as well as suedes and leathers, pants, tops, sweaters, skirts and accessories of all kinds. We feature california and american made clothing.

Custom orders our specialty. We have a large selection of fabrics and styles to choose from.

We are located in a renovated dairy barn, the Tomales Bay Foods Building. Also housed in this complex is Cowgirl Creamery, producers of award winning organic cheese, the Cowgirl Canteen, food to go made from fresh, local organic ingredients, and Golden Point Organic Produce.

So make a day of it. visit our store and enjoy the natural and handmade goodness Point Reyes has to offer!

We have recently relocated our studio one mile north of our store in downtown Inverness Park. Studio tours are available to groups of any size by prior arrangment. Please contact us with your available dates.

Upon your visit we will explain and demonstrate how our fabrics are made. We love studio tours and are sure you will enjoy this experence.

All weaving begins with individual yarns. The loom is "Dressed" with these yarns in a sequence that determines the "Warp" which is the basis of the fabric design.

These yarns are then threaded in a sequence that determines the pattern. The fabric is woven by passing the weft yarn through the warp yarns in a prescribed order which completes the pattern process.

When the fabric is completed it is removed from the loom and " Finished" in a manner determined by its fiber content and weave. It is then cut out one piece at a time by pattern to complete a garment.

The inspiration for my designs most often begin with things that I've observed- a painting, a fresh new color, or a new yarn. These ideas incubate within me. I turn them over in my mind until the idea grows to completion. At this point I assemble the new colors I've collected and the pattern I have chosen. By some magic these gel into woven fabric.

This way of working has evolved over a number of years for me, although the execution is spontaneous, my preparation is quite lengthy. I agonize over the color and texture, as I feel these are the most important aspects of my work.

My motivation and satisfaction for this work is the idea that my handwoven garments go out into the world and have a life of their own. I like to think of them as keepsakes or future, heirlooms, woven into peoples lives.