Woven fabric anchors Kubik’s art at gallery

Creating one-of-a-kind garments, designer style patterns and unique woven fabrics are Linda Kubik’s artistic expression.

Those efforts will be well represented on Friday evening when she is the featured artist at the Ritzville Art Gallery’s December First Friday event beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Raised in Ritzville and a graduate of the University of Washington with a Bachelors Degree in clothing, textiles and art, Kubik credits her career to 4-H.

She has been sewing for 50 years, a skill she developed as a member of 4-H.

She credits her 4-H leader with providing the encouragement she needed to learn how to sew and to continue to learn and her expand her knowledge throughout life.

Kubik has done many things including work on the family’s hay operation and serving as the county’s civil deputy for nine years.

Regular jobs aside, creating things with fabric has served as her passion.

Today she can often be found in her studio behind her home working at one of two weaving looms, creating unique fabrics, designing and piecing together her next garment or working on a new endeavor — screen printing fabric.

“I’ve sewn for over 50 years, but I always wanted to learn to weave,” she said. “I’m self-taught and made every mistake you can possibly make.”

In 1991 Kubik decided she had two possible directions: go off to graduate school or become a professional weaver. Since then she has actively attended sewing expositions and conventions where she sells her creations and teaches others how to weave and sew.

Kubik has a keen eye for creative color combinations that work in her fabric and her garments.

“I view clothing as an art form,” she said. “I wear the clothes, the clothes don’t wear me.”

The fabrics Kubik creates are very limited. She makes each one just once and the fabric quantity ranges between three and eight linear yards.

The 13 garment creations Kubik has converted to patterns are jackets, coats, vests and two blouses. Eleven of the patterns are still available. She markets her work a number of ways. The patterns are sold wholesale. Word of mouth has been the traditional driving force in her marketing. Today, her website www.lindakubik.com is growing in popularity in sewing circles.

While she lives and creates in a small rural community, Kubik’s accomplishments have been touted across the country. Her patterns and her creations have been highlighted on public television and in other people’s publications.

“My fabrics and garments have traveled more than I have,” she said.