The Bateman Collection

When Dr. William Bateman was going to kindergarten in Salt Lake City, he had to pass by a weaving shop where the rhythm of the beaters attracted his attention. He cleared a peephole in the window to see what was causing the noise and kept observing the activity regularly. This was his earliest introduction to what was to become his passion.

It was many years later, as Mrs. Belle Bateman assisted Mary Atwater at a summer workshop, that Dr. Bateman had an opportunity to learn more about weaving. Even more years would pass before he could begin to satisfy his curiosity with a concentrated study of weaving. Dr. Bateman earned his B.A. and M.A. degrees at Stanford University and his Ph.D. in physiological chemistry at Yale University. In the 1920's, he taught at Stanford University and at Peiyang University in Tianjin, China. He then returned to the United States to become professor of chemistry and chairman of the pre-medical department and the Graduate School of Montana State University in Missoula, Montana. After twenty-five years at that institution, he suffered a hearing loss and retired around 1945. He and his wife moved to Seattle to be near their daughters, and it was then that he finally began his methodical exploration of weaving.

His academic training and intellectual curiosity is clearly reflected in his approach to textile studies. Originally Dr. Bateman intended to prepare a weavers' reference collection that would be available as study material for weaving organizations and classes. He planned to weave samples and variations of all the known weaves. Some of his earliest work was a collection of belts woven on a Gilmore inkle loom. Harriet Tidball considered this collection as some of the finest and most intricate Inkle bands designed and executed by a contemporary artist. Most of this collection was placed by his heirs at the Costume and Textile Study Center at the University of Washington, and is available for study by appointment.

Although this collection of Inkle bands is extraordinary, it is not Dr. Bateman's greatest contribution to hand weaving. Using an eight-harness Missouri table loom, he produced over eight storage boxes of samples, beginning with Overshot, Twill, Crackle, Summer and Winter and other weaves. As he progressed to documenting unit weaves, his curiosity and inventiveness led him to the discovery of new weave systems. With his 51st warp, he began his personal journey, threading his loom to what would become known as the Boulevard Weave System, named after the area of Seattle in which he resided. Dr. Bateman developed seven weave systems that share some similarities with unit weaves, but which have such modifications that they take on definitions all their own. The Bateman weave systems open a whole new world to pattern weavers.

He planned and executed his work with the mathematical precision of a scientist, making a draw down on graph paper before each sample was woven. Dr. Bateman was a perfectionist—he commented frequently that he unwove as much as he wove, thus correcting errors. If imperfect work was not corrected, it was discarded. He also worked in fine threads, and in unique color combinations, with the help of his artistic wife and daughter. Before many samples were made, he started building duplicate collections: one for the home economics department of Montana State University and one for himself. He also shared his samples by preparing traveling exhibits. Four separate exhibits were circulated throughout the United States, Canada and internationally during the 1950's and early 60's.

Until his death in 1965 at the age of 82, Dr. Bateman was preparing an extensive manuscript for publication, the culmination of his weaving work. The weaves included in his manuscript are: Multiple Tabby Weaves, Bateman Blend Weaves, Boulevard Weaves, Chevron Weaves, Extended Divided Twill Weaves, Extended Manifold Twill Weaves and Park Weaves. Seattle Weavers Guild members Noel Hammock and Marcella Mayer were extensively involved in the preliminary work with Dr. Bateman. Upon his death, they encouraged Dr. Bateman's family to pass the work on to Virginia I. Harvey, to continue to pursue its publication. In 1981, Multiple Tabby Weaves, the first of six separate monographs was developed and published through the ShuttleCraft Guild, HTH Publishers. The samples used in these publications are part of the HGA textile library and can be rented for study. Contact HGA for more information.

Jane Bateman Henke also gave Virginia Harvey the Bateman sample collection with the hope that it would continue to be made available to weavers. Dr. Bateman kept complete records on draw down sheets of each of his warps and all samples woven on these warps, all of which were specifically numbered. There were a total of 389 warps with 6 to 12 sample variations on each warp, a total of 1473 mounted samples. Over the course of ten years, Virginia Harvey and others undertook the work of mounting samples and verifying information while Luise Ziegler created computer draw downs of each sample. Upon completion of documentation, Virginia Harvey donated the collection of 45 notebooks to the Seattle Weavers' Guild, to make them available to future generations for weaving explorations.

Sample Collection Available for Study

The 45 Sample collection Volumes are available for study for 60 day rental periods. A nominal rental charge and a deposit/damage fee are required to reserve each volume.

For further details, please refer to or contact the Bateman Collection Librarian.