Rachel von Wettberg was born in Hamilton, New York and received her BFA in Textiles and Fiber Art from Syracuse University. She studied under Ann Clarke, an accomplished fiber artist known for her machine knit and felted jackets. Clarke was appointed Dean of Syracuse’s department of Visual and Performing Arts in 2008.

Rachel’s time at Syracuse University included experimentation with loom and off-loom techniques as well as soft sculpture. While abroad her junior year (Florence, Italy), she began studying various fabric dying techniques including batik, shibori, and indigo vat dying. Soon after her return to Syracuse, she learned a Japanese dying technique called iron oxide transfer. This process still dominates her work today.

Essentially, iron oxide transfer is staining fabric with rusted metal. Rachel scavenges junkyards, roadsides and antique stores for discarded metals with visual intrigue. The transfer process is simple: rusted metal laid atop or beneath fabric and then stored in humid conditions for up to two weeks. A mixture of water and vinegar is misted over the fabric to accelerate the transfer process. The artist mainly uses silk satin, silk chiffon, and silk habotai, but occasionally experiments with rayon and cotton. Once the transfer process is complete, Rachel over-dyes the silk with acid dyes. Most of the pieces are created as wearable art, usually scarves, but Rachel also produces a small number of wall pieces. Each piece is unique.

Presently, Rachel works out of her home studio in the Hudson Valley in New York State.