For 21 years, Sally Kahler has called Governors Club home, bringing with her a passion for fiber arts that spans decades. Originally from Pennsylvania, Sally and her family relocated to the neighborhood from Hong Kong after spending several years overseas due to her husband’s career. 

Over the years, Sally has not only enjoyed the camaraderie and close friendships of her neighbors but also the wealth of cultural opportunities that the area offers. “I love that the neighborhood is close to so many cultural opportunities,” Sally shares. “The local museums are wonderful, and the Triangle Weavers Guild has provided a chance to meet other like-minded individuals who share my passion.” 

Sally’s journey into the world of weaving began 50 years ago while living in Washington, D.C. A lifelong interest in fiber crafts and art, nurtured by her grandmother, sparked her love for knitting and embroidery at an early age. “As a child, I learned to knit and embroider from my grandmother. We always had a lot of fun together,” she says. But it was the discovery of weaving that truly captivated her, and she has been weaving ever since. 

Weaving requires patience—a trait Sally has honed over the years. “Dying thread and setting up a loom is not a quick process and takes much longer than the actual weaving,” she explains. Sally further developed her skills through workshops in Illinois and Vancouver, BC, and nowadays, she notes, there are many online resources, like YouTube, that allow anyone to learn the craft from home 

What Sally loves most about weaving is the process of planning a project. “Choosing the threads and the design structure is always a fun part of it. I love being able to bring my ideas to life,” she says. Over the years, Sally has also developed a keen sense of color and color blending, which has enhanced her work. 

Her involvement in the community goes beyond just her art. Sally has taught weaving at local senior centers, the Emerson Waldorf School, and through the Triangle Weavers Guild. Additionally, she’s been actively involved in the Governors Club Biennial Art Show, which she helped organize for many years. “The Biennial Art Show is one of my favorite events in Governors Club, where residents get to display their artwork in a variety of mediums,” she says. 

Sally’s love for weaving runs deep, and it’s a passion she’s passed down to her family. Her grandfather managed a silk mill in Pennsylvania, and as a child, Sally played with shuttles and threads, unaware that it would someday become a lifelong passion. Today, her granddaughter Addison, age 8, loves to knit and experiment with weaving, while her 9-year-old grandson Landon is fascinated by the workings of the loom. Sally proudly watches as the next generation continues to explore and enjoy the craft. 

Living in Governors Club has not only enriched Sally’s creative endeavors but also allowed her to share her art with others, fostering a deeper sense of community. Through her weaving, teaching, and involvement in local events, Sally Kahler has woven herself into the fabric of her neighborhood.