Little Man of War (2020)

Created for “Chiefs, Clans, and Kin”

Handwoven cotton breechcloth in a Mahota Tartan design, a cotton Inkle band sash leather ball carriers attached to the side. The hand-made sticks are in a leather carrier adorned with an Old Choctaw band design cross-stitched on an Inkle woven band. This piece has 4 textiles weaving techniques used in its making. The piece is displayed on a handwoven, hand-cast mannequin with a woven tattoo on the chest.

Old Choctaw traditional stickball games were sometimes major events that could last several days. As many as 100 to 1,000 men from opposing villages or tribes would participate. The games were played in open plains located between the two villages.

Prophet 1000

Represents the last 1000 years

His handwoven robe and headdress are in neutral colors, ecru, and white with 4 thin black timelines.  The robe is woven with a warp of one of the oldest fibers known to man, a bast fiber, Linen, and a weft fiber of man-made origin to represent the industrial revolution, Dynacor, a viscose fiber.  The weave structure is a network drafting on advancing twill. Warp set at 28 ends per inch.  

Prophet 2000

Represents the next 1000 years

His handwoven robe and headdress are woven in symbolically bright colors, blue representing the sky, gold the wealth of the earth, and purple for the beauty of the Earth.  The robe is woven in 60/2 Bombay silk,  The weave structure is a network drafting on advancing twill, the warp is set at 50 ends per inch. Prophet 2000’s robe has a long back panel with a swag front. 

Each prophet carries a staff with a carved face and a robe that matches his costume.

Tribute to Rubey (1998)

Three Butterfly robes

Handwoven Robes in Silk/Wool.  Doubleweave structure with a twill solid side and a Butterfly pattern on reverse side.  Ultra Suede headdresses with beaded butterflies. Silk sheath dresses.

These garments were designed and handwoven by Margaret Roach Wheeler to pay tribute to her Mother, Sister, and Daughter who have passed away. The butterflies represent the freedom and beauty of our lives.

Tribute To Diamond (1996)

Captures the poetry of the blanket: Style of wrap connotes courtship, intrigue and portentousness.

Handwoven Silk/wool caftan with a hood in a Shadow Weave pattern. The white, gray, and black column that is formed when the arms are folded represents a pillar of strength, but when the arms are spread wide a jewel-toned insert front represents all the beauty inside.

Created in honor of Margaret Roach Wheeler’s father Diamond Roach.

Photo courtesy to Handweavers Guild of America