[1][2] Born in 1941, Madelyn Joy Sanborn lived in Los Angeles, where she attended Overland Avenue Elementary School, Palms Junior High, and Alexander Hamilton High School.

With an interest in textiles, weaving, and looms, she edited Weaver's magazine (1986–1999) and Handwoven (1999–2012).

In 1993, van der Hoogt moved to Whidbey Island in Puget Sound with her looms and the school.

[7] She has lectured and taught workshops for more than thirty-five years, in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

As former editor of Prairie Wool Companion, Weaver's, and Handwoven, she has long been a star in our weaving universe.