In March of 2004, award-winning Navajo weaver Sarah Paul Begay set up her loom and began the creation of an incredible, one-of-a-kind weaving entitled "Navajo Universe." Sarah is well known for her unique style, composition, intricate patterns, and life-like figures - her "Navajo Universe" is certainly no exception. Measuring close to 10 feet by 13 feet and composed of uncharacteristically fine threads in order to execute intricate detail, this masterpiece will take many months to complete. Now well over a year since it's inception, Sarah continues to make progress as she nears the completion of the weaving. Throughout the process, we have attempted to capture the weaving at different points of progress in photos. We offer these photos for viewing online in hopes that the weaving process can be appreciated by those interested, and so that you may witness and be a part of a truly historical weaving in the making. Stayed tuned, as we will continue to post updates as they become available.

 
Click on any of the images below to view a larger, zoomable image.
 
May 24, 2004

This was Sarah's first full day at the store (she had started the rug at home and had been working on it already for quite some time.) What an extraordinary weaving it is already!

 
June 21, 2004

It's been just under a month since Sarah set up the "Navajo Universe" in the store, and although significant progress is already visible, the time-intensive nature of Navajo weaving is quite evident as well..

 
     
July 20, 2004

The rug is really taking shape as the three bottom sandpainting panels are just about three-quarters finished. Progress is moving along faster than expected as Sarah says, "The rug wants to go!"

  
August 28, 2004

Excitement is building as the completion of the first row of sandpaintings nears. Sarah should be finished with these designs and on to the next by next month's update!


 
     
September 23, 2004

One quarter of the rug is officially completed! We took advantage of the last opportunity to photograph the rug in its entirety before pulling it under so that Sarah can continue her masterpiece-in-progress.

  
November 4, 2004

Sarah is currently working on the second phase of design, three panels consisting of bears, buffalo, and a traditional wagon ride in the center. The progress is just about six months in the making, and Sarah continues to approach the half-way mark on the rug.

 
     
March 27, 2005

We took these photos the day Sarah reached the half-way point in the rug. In just under a year, she has completed six and a half feet by ten feet of an extremely intricate, and completely unprecedented weaving masterpiece. The amazingly realistic action of the Yei-be-Chai dancers is one of many talents that Sarah Paul Begay has become famous for.

 
May 13, 2005

As the Yei-be-chai dancers near their completion, you can start to make out the beginnings of a red rock scene in the background. Also the center sandpainting which is being worked on by a Navajo Medicine Man is just about finished. The rug has now reached over seven feet in height!

 
August 17 , 2005

The Yei-be-chai ceremony is complete with both night and day sections, a beautiful red rock scene in the background and an incredible portrayal of a sandpainting in progress inside a hogan. Stay tuned to see what's next for this masterpiece!

  
February 2, 2006

Above the Yei-be-chai dancers, Sarah has woven a beautifully intricate Two Grey Hills pattern flanked by two unique old blanket patterns. Less than three feet remain to be woven before the "Navajo Universe" is complete!