Beth Ross Johnson has been weaving since 1970 and her interests have gravitated toward the folk textiles of Japan. She has had two extensive stays in Japan to study kasuri and sakiori. While studying for an MFA in Textiles at Georgia State University, she was given a book on weaving drafts collected during early 20th century Japan that includes examples of sashiko-ori and other structures not known in the US handweaving scene. A covid-induced sideline teaching sashiko embroidery online compelled her to start weaving these designs and realizing their potential for exploration.

Beth has recently presented or led workshops at the Mid Atlantic Fiber Association, HGA Convergence, Complex Weavers Seminars, Conference of Northern California Handweavers, John C Campbell Folk School, Penland School of Crafts, Textile History Forum, Weaving History Conference, in addition to guild workshops and adjunct instructing at Appalachian State University. She has published articles in VÄV magazine and a project for Handwoven on this subject and leads workshops nationally on sashiko ori and other weaving subjects. She writes frequently for other handweaving magazines such as Complex Weavers Journal, Shuttle, Spindle and Dyepot.

Phyllis Miller discovered weaving in 1968, and her curiosity led her to explore many weaving techniques and structures. She has exhibited in New York City, throughout the Southeast, and in Minnesota. Her interest in Japanese sashiko-ori grew from an appreciation of the rich tradition of Japanese textiles and their patterns. She has devoted her time to research, collecting patterns, and weaving sashiko-ori since 2018and has been published in Handwoven magazine, most recently with two articles on sashiko-ori.