Estelle Carlson, 70; Weaver Known for Wearable Art

Fiber artist Estelle Carlson, 70, died Oct. 27 at her home in San Diego of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, her family said.

Though best known as a weaver of tie-dyed thread, a technique known as ikat, Carlson also produced pieces that incorporated knitting, fabric painting, embroidery, braiding, photo dye transfer and pieced fabric assemblage. Her work has been displayed in the United States, Canada, China and India.

Carlson had long-term affiliations with the Artists’ Studio at the Palos Verdes Art Center, Designing Weavers of Los Angeles, Southern California Handweavers Guild and California Fibers in San Diego.

A native of Glendale, she earned degrees from UCLA and USC and for many years was a teacher at Mount Washington Elementary School in Los Angeles, where she was arts coordinator. She also wrote articles for many publications, including American Craftsman.