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 was inspired to learn to weave in 1968 after discovering the work of Sylvia Heyden in Durham, NC.

Her curiosity has led her to explore many weaving techniques and structures alone and in a range of workshops with leaders in the field. Her interest has often included combining handwoven cloth with commercial cloth in wearables and accessories. She participated in Lord & Taylor's Savannah Style week in New York City, exhibited in Atlanta, Jacksonville, Savannah, and Minneapolis and has been published in Handwoven magazine, most recently with two articles on sashiko-ori.