Abby Franquemont is a textile crafts writer, lecturer, and educator, based in Cusco, Peru. As a revivalist of the ancient art of hand spinning with the spindle, she published her book, Respect the Spindle, in 2009. In her copious free time, Abby can be found writing a textile-themed sci-fi novel, cuddling her cat, or plotting the downfall of the patriarchy.

Having successfully returned to the country of her childhood, she’s now inspiring textile artists of all sorts with her innovative online courses at Franquemont University. Her foundational courses of Spinning I-IV provide the basis needed for additional deep-dive studies and ongoing experimentation with every aspect of hand spinning. Month-long courses and special one-time workshops alternate with fun community challenges and events.

Abby also partners closely with the master weavers of the Centro de Textiles Tradicionales del Cusco (CTTC), a non-profit organization that was established in 1996 by Andean weavers and their supporters. Check out the CTTC textiles and the locally sourced authentic Andean spindles available in the shop.

Finally, Franquemont University offers an unparalleled chance to virtually meet and partner with other textile artists and peers around the world. Our community spans the globe and encourages one another in the pursuit of hands-on skills and deep understanding of our textiles processes, from spinning to weaving and everything in between. Come join us so you, too, can find out “What Happened When You Tried?”