Meet The Weavers’ School Staff

Experienced Weaving Instructors
Ensure A Quality Learning Experience For You

Madelyn van der Hoogt, Founder and Principal Instructor

Madelyn van der Hoogt is the founder and prinicpal instructor at the Weavers’ School.

Madelyn learned to weave on a backstrap loom in Guatemala in the 1970s. She opened The Weavers’ School in Fayette, Missouri, in 1984. The Weavers’ School moved to Coupeville, Washington, in 1993.

Madelyn became editor of Prairie Wool Companion in 1986, of Weaver’s magazine in 1988, and Handwoven magazine in 1999. She is author of The Complete Book of Drafting, editor of The Best of Weaver’s series, and teacher in five instructional videos: Warping Your Loom, Weaving Well, Block Weaves, Lace Weaves, and Overshot. Madelyn has lectured and taught workshops in a wide range of weave structures and techniques for over twenty-five years throughout the United States, Canada, and Australia. Before Madelyn became a weaver, she taught high school English in Oakland, California, and Fayette, Missouri. Of her four major life-long activities--weaving, teaching, writing, and editing--she does not know which she loves most.

What a former student says about Madelyn . . .
"Madelyn is an extraordinary teacher. I enjoyed my weaving class even more than I expected to and fully intend to pursue weaving."
Suzanne Rakow
Beginning student

Suzie Liles, Studio Director and Instructor

Suzie Liles started weaving in 1982 and graduated in 2006 with an M.F.A. in fibers from the University of Oregon. She is the owner of the Eugene Textile Center in Eugene, Oregon. She has been Studio Director at the Weavers’ School for twenty years, an instructor of beginning and advanced weaving courses at Kansas City Art Institute for one year and the University of Oregon for two years, and a lecturer and workshop instructor at regional conferences and Convergence. Suzie's enthusiasm for weaving is contagious, attracting new weavers to the field wherever she teaches.

More praise for staff members . . .
"Thanks to Madelyn and Suzie for all their work and professionalism. They made it so comfortable for us and I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart! I will be back for another class!"
Mariko Gooden

Patty Huffer, Administrative Assistant

Patty Huffer received a degree in Home Economics, Physical Education, and Education from Central Washington University. Formerly of Roseburg, Oregon, and now of Redmond, Oregon, Patty has been weaving for over twenty-five years. She has been an active member and teacher in the Umpqua Weavers Guild and teaches private lessons in addition to her recent position at The Weavers’ School.