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. 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 and editor of The Best of Weaver’s series. Madelyn has lectured and taught workshops in a wide range of weave structures and techniques for over twenty 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

Suzie Liles graduated with an M.F.A. in fibers from the University of Oregon in 2006. She is currently teaching at the Kansas City Art Institute in Kansas City, Missouri. She has been Studio Director at the Weavers’ School for ten years, an instructor of beginning and advanced weaving courses for 18 years at Umpqua Valley Art Center in Oregon, and a lecturer 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 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.