TOBY BLU

HANDWOVENS


“circus pink”
4 harness dobby 
cotton, wool, acrylic
summer 2024
gorillaz inspired blockweaves
24 harness compu-dobby
cotton, wool, acrylic, recylced fibres
winter 2024
“now now”
“gorillaz”
“demon days”
“song machine”
”optical waffle”
4 harness dobby 
cotton, wool
summer 2024
“selvage”

synthetic colours 4 piece collection
8 harness dobby
cotton. wool, acrylic
spring 2023
“allover”


“tapestry”
“mirror”
             Skills
● Self-sufficient & confident with
strong verbal & written
communication skills
● Exceptional organizational skills
● High-level painting ability and
experience
● Extensive experience in dobby
looms, Pointcarre, and
Nedgraphics software

● Advanced knowledge in screen
printing
● Skilled in developing repeating &
engineered patterns
● Trend forcasting
● Colour theory
● Sustainable material sourcing
● Hand-spinning art-yarn 
● Technologically adept in Adobe
Suite programs including
Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat


           Summary
Eager textile designer with an eye for colour and design. Skilled in hand weaving, traditional hand painting, & CAD to design highly fashionable products efficiently, without forgetting about quality. Self-motivated and results-oriented achiever with the proven ability to produce in-demand products every season, exceeding goals in fast-paced environments while paying attention to detail. Combines strategic thinking with hands-on experience to deliver impactful solutions and enhance organizational performance. 
                 Work Experience
Intern — Chapas Textiles Weaving Studio (1/2026–5/2026)
● Wound warps, dressed AVL looms, and wove samples as both measured cuts & yardage in new, old, and custom coluourways
● Prepped selvages with industrial serger, and ironed on custom labels for archives and for CFAs
● Utilized studio archival system to recreate and record new drafts/ colourways

Lead Painting Instructor — Paint The Town (2024–Present)
● Inspired party guests and assisted in developing creativity and
self-expression through acrylic painting and open
communication
● Taught classes on painting composition and colour theory


Freelance Artist/Textile Designer — Self Employed
(2019–Present)
● Consulted with clients to discuss commission ideas and style
preferences to create mutually agreeable project parameters
within their budgets
● Made use of available media independently and with client input
to create/repair custom art pieces


Pool Lifeguard — Lindenhurst Public Schools (2022–2024)
● Attentively monitored swimmers to identify distress
● Learned and maintained proficiency in first responder skills such
as First Aid and CPR
● Responded to emergency situations in a calm and efficient
manner


Swimming Instructor — Lindenhurst Public Schools
(2022–2024)
● Planned and taught classes covering ages 5-16 at various skill
levels to prepare students for basic and advanced swimming
needs - including personal progress tracking for each student
● Collaborated with fellow instructors to develop successful
training plans based on past students, while keeping current
students’ capabilities in mind


Retail Team Member — JOANN Fabric & Craft (2021-2022)
● Used POS system to process cash, card, & check sales, returns,
online orders, and gift card activations
● Greeted and assisted customers by delivering energetic, prompt,
and polite support in store and via telephone, going above and
beyond to serve needs
            Education
Graduated with Bachelor of Textiles and Surface Design from the NYC Fashion
Institute of Technology 
Graduated with Associate of Applied Science in Textiles and
Surface Design from the NYC Fashion Institute of Technology 
Dean’s List title holder Fall 2022-Present
Awarded the Departmental Medal of Textiles and Surface Design
Spring 2024
Awarded 3rd Place for FIT Pride Pillow Design Contest in
Collaboration with West Point Home
3.96% Cumulative GPA
Wool Bureau Scholarship Recipient
Hoechst Celanese Scholarship Recipient


Tools

● 36” Nilus Leclerc 4 harness floor loom
● 24” rigid heddle frame loom
● 14” homemade frame loom

● Ashford Kiwi 3 spinning wheel
● Finetoknow drop spindle
● homemade drop spindle





Group Shows

Cut & Miss
an into to binary weaving
FIT 2025

United Nations’ 80th Anniversary
Commemerative Scarf Class Collection
FIT 2025

Prometheus, Firebringer
photography and fine art  
Rule of Thirds Studio - New Paltz 
2026

Graduating Student Exhibition
Textiles and Surface Design BFA
FIT 2016

Making Ground: Selected Works
from the Class of 2026
FIT 2026