Alison Morton 1946 − 2021 Theo Moorman Trust for Weavers Trustee from 2007

OBITUARY

Alison Morton 1946 − 2021

Theo Moorman Trust for Weavers Trustee from 2007

Alison Morton was a consummate weaver of linen. Her understated, domestic items have become deeply appreciated for their exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail. Sadly, Alison died in June 2021, following a stroke. Consequently, no more of these unique textiles will be made in her tiny, converted coach house in Ludlow. 

Alison was the last of four generations of the Morton family involved in textiles. She was born and educated in Cumbria, and then, at the suggestion of family friend Marianne Straub, spent a year at Dartington. This was an inspiring and formative time, with art history taught by Bobbie Cox, and fabric dyeing and printing by Susan Bosence. A degree in woven textiles at Manchester College of Art and Design (now Manchester Metropolitan University) followed.  She then worked for Meirion Mill in mid-Wales where she was instrumental in refreshing many of their designs. In 1976, she set up her own workshop at Corris. There her bread and butter product was the rag rug.  Alison was involved in setting up the Dolgellau branch of the Weavers'Guild and in 1983 a talk about linen by Rita Acton struck a chord, and she not only began weaving linen, but also for a while grew and spun flax. In 1997 she moved to Ludlow, along with her George Wood dobby loom and the Ethel Mairet countermarch loom that her mother gave her on her 21st birthday, and her reputation as a consummate weaver of linen grew. 

Cycling was an important part of Alison's life, and she made trips to Scotland, Scandinavia and Lithuania, sometimes with friends and family, sometimes alone. She collected pebbles on these trips, and incorporated them into simple perfectly balanced small hangings. In 2007 she became a Trustee of the Theo Moorman Trust for Weavers, contributing a wealth of knowledge, experience and sound advice. We will miss her warmth and humour, and of course her famous treacle squares that got us through many meetings. Alison was a quietly unconventional person, and very much valued as a weaver and a friend to all who knew her.