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SELF--PROFILE: Designing & Weaving the FWIO Tartan By Nelda M orrisun IBwas born and raised in eamsville, Ontario, and farmed with my husband, John, after we married in 1950. Even though rais- ing three sons and farm work filled my days, my yearning to have a loom of my own didn't go away. My mother wove with linen quite extensively as a young girl; it was the custom then to make a dowry, by hand if possible. I had discov- ered as a young girl that weaving was an exciting, fulfilling craft, This conviction was reinforced af- ter taking a short course in weaving in 1968. However, I did find time to join the Union Branch of the Women's Institute in 1957. As well as having held most Branch offices, I was President of the Lincoln District in the early 19705 and 0f the Hamilton Area in the late 19705. After moving to Utterson in the Muskoka Distict in 1982, I joined Falkenburg WI. Even after my move to Bracebridge four years later, I remained with this Branch. After they disbanded, however, I joined the South Macaulay WI. I try to be as active as time allows, par- ticipating at Branch and District level and attending provincial and national conventions when possi- ble. Following the loss of my husband in 1988, I purchased my first loom. Ifelt life had a new purpose. I im- mersed myself in weaving books and periodicals and took short courses on weaving and seminars in basketty. In June of 1994, I ap- proached the FWIO President at that time, Donna Russett, express- ing my wish to design and weave a tartan to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the WI. 10 Home A Country, Winter 1996-97 I began the project in January 1996. By the end of February the colours began to fit together. I warped my loom and began to weave. I was pleased with the re-- sults. A sample was taken to the Spring Board meeting of the FWIO. In orderto register the tartan with the proper authorities, a letter of approval was sent from the FWIO Provincial Office with the tartan sample to the Scottish Tartans Authority in Pitlochry, Scotland. The Certificate of Regis- tration and a sample of the original tartan was presented to the FWIO Board of Directors at the August meeting. The Federated Women's Insti- tutes of Ontario Tartan will be commercially woven and made available to members throughout Ontario. It is my hope that in 1997 members will proudly wear articles made from the new Tartan t0 Con- vention '97 celebrations commemorating the 100th anniver- sary of the Women's Institutes, The colours In the FWIO . . Tartan-symbollze'the .1 following: . Whlte - snow and clouds . Gold - golden gralnxthiatsuga . tainedOntarlo tamllles-In ' ,' : early years . ' ' 'Green' - beautlt evident througho Red- red fruits gr'own 'In southern areas , Nelda Murrimn is the designer and weaver of the Federated Women'r lnrtituter of Ontario Tuna/L She it currently a member oft/12 South Mucattley WI in the Murkalat South District.