Barbara Cabral received her MA from the University of Akron researching the use of madder in Ohio coverlets. She has taught Contemporary Needle Arts at the University of Akron and in Tallin, Estonia, where she collected Estonian and traditional card-weaving textiles. She lectures on textile topics including Pictorial Needle Felting, Khmer Hol (Ikat), Natural Dyes, Sewing with Handwoven Fabric, Working with Lotus Fiber, and Estonian Knitting. Since the early 1980s, her work has been exhibited in Ohio and in Florida. In 2020, she received 1st place in the HGA fashion show Seasons of the Smokies for a woven and needle-felted cloak. In 2022, her woven and needle-felted vest and hat were also included in the HGA Convergence fashion show. She now shares these award-winning techniques in workshops and lectures. Raising silkworms since 2013 led her to travel to Thailand and Cambodia where she visited textile venues and met with weavers, dyers, golden silkworm farmers, and conservators. She continues to travel to Cambodia to study Khmer Hol (Ikat) and enjoys presenting workshops & lectures on Khmer weaving.
