Towel Exchange

Yes I would be interested in a towel exchange. Laurie

 Yay! So here's what I've come up with for rules:

Fiber: Cotton, linen, hemp, ramie, and/or rayon (please, not 100% rayon!).

Size: 18” x 25” minimum, finished. Please allow for shrinkage/draw-in/take-up.

Finishing: Hand or machine hemmed, hemstitched, washed and pressed.

Enclosures: For each towel, please send: 1) A copy of the draft and drawdown, including the source. 2) A short biography, including name, address and email 3) A picture of yourself, your loom, or your studio (optional)

Quantity: Six towels

Fee: $8 for United States participants. This first year, I don’t know if we’ll get any international folks; if you are let me know and I’ll figure it out.

Number of participants: Beings I’m new to this, I’m going to limit this years exchange to 15 people. I will keep a waiting list if we get more than 15 interested, just in case anyone drops out.

Deadline for signing up: 1 February 2011.

Deadline for towel delivery to me: 1 March 2011 (postmarked). I should be able to get them exchanged and sent out by the middle of April. Priority mail would be appreciated, as it’s fairly easy to track and delivery is usually quite quick.

How to take part: Email (yarnfloozieAThotmailDOTcom) or PM me with your snail mail address. Put ‘towel exchange’ in the subject line.

Queries? Earburn, PM, or email me!

Edit: Towels do not have to be identical.

That sounds like fun and I would love to weave some new towels.

I would love to do this, since I am going to be doing towels for Christmas, my question is do all 6 towels have to be the same \

I would be interested in a towel exchange.  I have searched and searched for one on the web and have never found one.  Let me know if your idea flies - I sure hope so.

Vicki (in central New York State) 

 I hadn't considered this...my first thought is, though, why not?

Would there be any objections to a participant;s towels not all being the same?

It's sounding like it's a go--I've got five people so far, mostly local (to me in ND), but two are from out of state.

I wouldn't mind if the towel were not the same. I was hopping they could be different. Laurie

 Ok, I've edited the rules post to specify that towels need not be identical.

Thanks. Laurie

There is a group on Yahoo that I set up for the towel exchanges several years ago. Several people have posted today asking about the next exchange. It is "wovendishtowels" and you will find some people there that are interested.

I would like to participate in this exchange - please count me in!

 Thanks!

 Just a reminder to send me your mailing address to me somehow (either PM or email...yarnfloozieAThotmailDOTcom)--I have a few participants with no addresses attached.

Hi I signed up at the beginning and I don't remember if I sent my Mailing address. I am on a unsecured web accress most of the time. I will sent it to you snail mail. What is your address? Laurie

 Sent it to you as a message.

 I've started a database in the yahoo group of the participants...if you're a member, please check it out and make sure eveything's correct.  If you're not a member, consider joining!

I am new at weaving, how does a towel exchange work?

Here's a link to the origianl idea:

http://www.homesteadweaver.com/dishtowels.htm 

If you still have room I would like to try it.

 Send me your address and I'll add you to the database.

 Got your address yesterday...love the card!! The fiber looks suspiciously like FoxFibre...I need to get me some of that.

HI you are right that is what they are. I loved working with it. Laurie

I would like to join in the exchange if there is still room.  I sent my information via email.

Erik

 Yup, you're in.

Hi, are there any spots left in the exchange? Jerri

There is one, and you will have it as soon as you send me your address. After that, I will keep a waiting list.

Claudia sent me a note about some of the new features, one of which is for private groups. She suggested that we might prefer a private group for the towel exchange because of the limited participation. What does everyone think? Keep in mind that the Yahoo group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wovendisht... )is still going (and I would encourage any participants to sign up over there if you haven't already). Thanks for any input you might have!

Amy

I am starting to think about what I am going to do for the towel exchange. I have a 16 shaft loom and was wondering if anyone in the exchange is going to use 16 shaft or if I should do an 8 shaft? Please let me know if anyone has decieded yet. Thanks.

I'm up in the air myself between 8 and 16. I'm leaning towards all 16, though...I have them, why not use them, eh?

I am using my new to me 16 shaft AVL PDL.  I have an original pattern that is a 3 shaft twill using 5 blocks to create the pattern.  This will be the inaugural project for this loom!

I am warping the loom now.  The first block is done.  I hope to have time to do the second tomorrow.

EDIT: Actually, I am only using 15 shafts (5x3).  My bad!

Erik

Thank you for the post on my forum question.  I'd really love to be in on the next exchange in the Spring.  I'm not always 'on board' on these websites and forums, so please keep my name in the pot when we do this again.

Please let me know if you would like to have your kickoff meeting in February or the final meeting before the exchange via webcam.  I set it up for another group here and they enjoyed being able to see each other and chat "in person".

Claudia

I have decieded to do 16 shaft. I just fiquared out a 4 block twill design I have had in my head for a while. So that is what I plan to use, if it turns out to look as good as a finished towel as it does on paper.

Cheryl started making the warp for the towel exchange and towels for her mothers kitchen and a couple for my sisters wedding. Yarnfloozie do I have your mail address?

Michael

I am planning my warp. I had it planned once but have changed my mind. It will be the next project.

 I'm going to have you send them to my shop.

Amy Lenertz

Yarn Stash

1701 S Broadway

Suite B

Minot ND 58701

 And, for everyone, just a reminder to let me know if you can't make the deadline (postmarked 1 March 2011).

Cheryl has towels on hand, but decided to make a new warp. The warp is done and I guess the loom will be dressed tonight when she gets home from work. Have fun replaning your warp.

Michael

I went to the warping board yesterday and did my warp for the towels. I am using all 16 shafts and it will be a block pattern. Just wondering how many of us have made a decision. It took me awhile, its a new block pattern for me I am looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

I am working on my first set of kitchen towels.  I think in the future I would be interested in doing something like this.  I will watch for the next offering.

I finished putting the warp on the loom. Hopefully I will be weaving today or tomorrow. Have others started to weave yet?

and in process of threading the first 4 towels. Will do a second warp, either same threading but different colors, or something completely different...haven't decided that yet. So many drafts I want to weave, and so much cottolin and linen in the stash. :)

I am also doing 2 warps. Glad someone is not sure of the 2nd. I will at least do different colors.

 I will be threading this week and weaving next week--maybe even this week end. I have someone weaving off my looooong warp and she's nearly done.

Cheryl has 5 of the six towels woven. There are 8 towels on this warp. The first one had a threadling error. This towel  goes to our kitchen. The warp is 8/2 cotton natural w/dark brown stripes. The weft is 8/2 cotton of different colours. Here are some pictures.

The towels are being woven on a 48 inch 4H Macomber

I have 2 and half towels woven. Hope to get the rest done today. The next 3 I  will be doing a  different colors and structure.

 The first two sets of towels arrived yesterday!

I am weaving my 2nd warp for the exchange. I got the first one done yesterday.

Finally weaving, yippee. First towel almost done. Weaving going nicely, once I got my rhythm going. I did have to rethread the last 1/3, but luckily with color and weave, it was easy to fine the error!

You are all welcome to schedule a time to meet at the end of your exchange and be able to see each other in real time and LIVE on Webex.  I am happy to host a one-time meeting for this group as you finish up your first exchange. 

Just let me know when.  We need to work around existing classes but there is lots of evening and weekend time to accommodate your group from around the world.

Claudia

I am just peeking in here because Jerri told me about this exchange. Can't wait to see the results! Hope one of you will post the collection that comes in before distribution—

Sally

I finished weaving the 2nd towel warp yesterday. I am going to try and post a picture, first time. The first one is taken from the top and the second from under the cloth beam.

Nice colors.  Looks like a fiesta to me.

Claudia

 The towels of one of our participants have turned out to be 17" in width, and there isn't time to redo them. Would anyone mind? They are all between 26"-30" in length.

I don't mind.

Any reasonable size is OK by me.  I too use pieces of cloth for many things, and some of these might be candidates for table runners, basket liners -- who knows?

I tried to post to the Yahoo group about a week ago but it didn't go through.  At that time I was thinking I'd have real trouble meeting the deadline.  However things have gone smoothly and I'm on my 4th towel now.  I also found a threading error, so if I have enough warp I'll do a replacement, otherwise I'll need time to needle weave the correction into the first towel.  So it looks like I'll be on time, and here's hoping the package doesn't get held up in customs.

My towels are a fine singles linen and hemp.  I was happy to go to a link that Michael posted and see this:

"Characteristics of hemp fiber are its superior strength and
durability, resistance to ultraviolet light and mold, comfort and good
absorbency, almost 150% of its own weight. The original Levi Strauss
jeans were made from lightweight hemp canvas. Hemp rope is notorious for
breaking due to rot as the capillary effect of the rope-woven fibers
tended to hold liquid at the interior, while seeming dry from the
outside.

"This is an excellent fiber for making a towel. I highly recommend
this fiber for a towel that you will give you years of use and be
extremely absorbent."

(That site about towels was fantastic!

http://www.directtextiles.com/index.html)

Will there be a "group show" here on Weavo or do we each post our own photos, draft, etc.?

Thanks for organizing this, Amy.  I'm really looking forward to seeing and feeling and using the towels I get.

Bonnie.

Bonnie, I am glad you enjoyed the towel site.  I removed the pictures that I posted here. Cheryl says it's no surprise if you get to see the finish towels early.

Sorry,

Michael

 I don't know where my post went...it just disappeared. Anyway, Claudia offered to host a one time live deal (post 50; I don't know exactly how that works, though) for us, if we'd like. I am planning on posting pictures, also, after it's all done.

corssing fingers for no customs hold-ups!

 Got your towels yesterday!

Hi everyone.  I finished the finishing yesterday and will take pictures then drive to town and put them in the mail today.  Whew!  That was a workout.  The warp yarn was fuzzy and hairy and took a lot of gentle handling -- I had to comb out the fuzzies and clip the collars and cuffs every time I rolled forward.  I used hairspray on the warp and it seemed to help a little, but the back and forth action of the beater just kept churning up the loosely spun (single ply) fiber.

They'll be good towels now that they are finished (I hope).

Bonnie.

I to have shipped towels today. The towels are thick and heavy weight cotton. The cost of shipping from Georgia to Minot, ND priority mail was $10.35. So Amy if you find you need more then $8.oo for postage let me know.

Michael

 The closer ones won't be as much; I think it will all average out. For next time, though, I may just have people send whatever it cost them. Might be a bit more fair?

Mine are packed and ready to go in the mail tomorrow.

Another idea about postage: you can go online to usps.com and click and ship. You make the label and figure the postage (need a scale) then pay online and print out label and tape it onto the package. Then you just hand it over at the post office. Not positive, but I think you can put in the the slot or in a mailbox, but don't quote me on the last one.

Thanks for coordinating Amy. This has been fun, and a learning experience. Jerri

Got them!

When I went to mail Cheryl's towels I went by the shop where Cheryl sells most of her weavings to show the shop owner this "new" pattern. I also stopped at the local print shop to buy a stapler. The owner of the print shop looked at the towels and ordered 4 of the blue one. So today Cheryl was making  a 17 towel warp, 4 for Trudy and 12 for Cynthia at Genuine Georgia: www.genuinegeorgia.com The other one will be posted to Cheryl's web site

Michael

 Hey, that's pretty awesome!

 The towels are all here, and were sorted yesterday. I have scanned them and sent them to Chris, who will post them on her website after I do a little write-up and double check for spelling errors. I will start sending them out starting Wednesday. I will send an email with the tracking number to each of you as they get sent off.

time going through all the towels. Was it like being in a weavers candy store? We look forward to seeing what comes our way. Thanks for all your work.

Michael 

 The hard part is having to send so many away...

I hope we'll soon see an influx of towels here on Weavo.  This sounds like it was a great weave along.  

I did offer to set up a time when everyone could meet in person once you finsihed the towels.  We could do it on the video web conferencing we are using for Cyber-Fiber and that way you all get to meet in person and talk about this experience.

I am available during the week, Sundays are good, too.  I am off on Saturday.  So, pick a day and let's get together. 

Claudia

 The scans are up: http://homesteadweaver.com/towels2011.htm

Also, I uploaded the group picture to the photos section of the yahoo group, if anyone wants to take a peek.

They all look beautiful!  I especially like the one on the bottom row, center, that looks like it has flowers woven on it.

They look great. Thanks for all your hard work. Laurie

Very impressive work from all of you!  BRAVO!

So, when do we sign up for the next exchange?

the towels are beautiful.  I would love to be in the next exchange.

Although I didn't participate in this exchange, I have been following the progress and end result. Spectacular!!! And thanks again to Amy, the coordinator. I agree with Threshkin, when's the next one?

It was really fun to see the work of members I have met previously at meet ups (Shout out to Lauries!) and those who I have only known "virtually". I must confess after viewing the collection, I am more likely to remember your dishtowel pattern and color than your name or avatar when we meet again, Ms. Labyrinth. ;-)

Thank you for creating this forum and to all of the participants for sharing the journey. (I hope you all continue to post photos when the dishtowels arrive at your homes!)

These towels are awesome! I hoping that drafts and project details will be added into people's project page! Looks like there's a lot of interest for another exchange - count me in!

Bravo everyone!

Jennifer

Hello everyone,

The towels arrived today and what fun.  I am so impressed with the variety and creativity of everyone involved.  Such a nice group of towels and great info as well.

 When this first started, I thought of the old chain letters where you sent the letter to a group of friends, and a dish towel to the person on the top of the list.  If the chain didn't break down, you were supposed to get about 2 dozen towels (all store bought of course), but this is Sooo Much More Fun!!!

A BIG thank you to Amy for organizing this, and count me in for another exchange.

thanks to everyone,

Cheryl

 Same time, same place? I'm going to tweak the rules a bit (nothing major), but I'll keep the deadline at 1 March 2012.

 That was fast--they left here the day before yesterday!

Amy, I don't think people want to wait that long. I am thinking some people would like to do this as a summer thing. I guess you could toss it out and see that you catch.

Michael

Hmmm...am I hearing twice a year, or am I hearing different time frame? I will admit that I chose the time I did because (being a Northerner!) I tend to spend as much time a possible outdoors when I can, therefore my weaving is more of a winter deal. If the group would prefer a change of date, though, I'll certainly consider it.

Amy, I know you like to be outdoors in the warm weather (2 weeks) (g) I have friends in the UP of MI they tell me, you have to be very careful with Summer, if it comes one night you will miss it.(lol) I don't think you would have to weave for this towel exchange. You, if you want, could just handle the exchange its self. Lets see what the other people think about a Summer exchange.

Michael 

Hi Everyone.  I am really looking forward to the arrival of my package -- I can see from the pictures that everyone outdid themselves to make this a really gratifying exchange.  It's great that there is so much interest in doing it again.

To anyone who receives the towels I made, please be aware that these will shed some lint the first few times they're washed.  I wet finished them of course, but I expect more lint to shed and I wanted to warn everyone not to wash them with stuff where that will be a problem.  The linen/hemp fiber will get softer if you rough it up so don't be afraid to wash the towel with work clothes, blue jeans, rugs or mats.

Thanks again Amy, for making this possible, and thanks to all participants for making it happen.

Bonnie.

Yep, we have a snow removal project up here...it's called July! I wouldn't be opposed to simply hosting; I just need to know what folks want.

Being from NY I have seen snow melting in July where it has been accumulated from plowing shopping centers etc.

Michael

My towels arrived yesterday. WOW. My vote would be for the March deadline. It works out the best for me.

So... is there talk of another exchange?  I am really interested.... but I will have to see.  My next beginning project is to make some towels,.... but I am afraid I will have to step up my ability to participate in something like this.  

 I suppose it's past time to remind folks about the exchange. Rules are pretty similar; I'm not limiting the number of participants this year, though. Email me with your snail mail address to get in on the fun!

yarnfloozie@hotmail.com

Also consider joining the yahoo group if you haven't already.

And fill me in on the specs. PM with my address to come.

March is okay by me. Summer is laid back, Fall = a lot of fiber festivals (and for me, work travel), then there is the holiday-eating-season between Halloween to New Year. So in theory, March sounds good! 

Fiber: Cotton, linen, hemp, ramie, and/or rayon (please, not 100% rayon!).

Size: 18” x 25” or 425 sq in, minimum, finished. Please allow for shrinkage/draw-in/take-up.

Finishing: Hand or machine hemmed, hemstitched, washed and pressed.

Enclosures: For each towel, please send: 1) A copy of the draft and drawdown, including the source. 2) A short biography, including name, address and email 3) A picture of yourself, your loom, or your studio (optional).

Deadline for signing up: 1 February 2012

Deadline for towel delivery to me: 1 March 2012 (postmarked). I should be able to get them exchanged and sent out by the middle of April. Priority mail would be appreciated, as it’s fairly easy to track and delivery is usually quite quick.

Fee: Should be no more than $8 within the States, provided postage doesn't go up. International will of course be higher. To get a relatively accurate estimate, calculate postage for a two pound package at www.usps.com

 and round up to the nearest dollar. To save on postage costs, use the Tyvek envelopes.

 Quantity: Six towels

How to take part: Email (yarnfloozie@hotmail.com) with your snail mail address. Put ‘towel exchange’ in the subject line.

Queries? Email me!

 Also, if you are in the yahoo group, please make sure I've entered your information correctly (if I haven't, please correct whatever needs it), then add your email address.

Please forgive the wonky formatting--I can't seem to make it behave. 

Hello!

my name is tarrilynn! and I love exchanges. I've done quilt blocks and round robins(where you add a layer or round or row to an existing fiber project).  I especially love weaving dish towels and fabrics for curtains/items of clothing. I am currently rehabbing a 12 harness Nilart and have a 4h Nilus under warp at all times.

I am planning my dishtowels now! (Can't wait for April...)

Sally

I would love to participate. Count me in! Sending my info your way.

Monica

Weaving away on the dish towels. What fun! Trying to decide on what to do next: more towels or curtains or runners or overshot? the choices seem endless. What are YOU up to????

I too, can't wait! I hope to get the loom warped up this week. I am planning a 4-shaft pattern—colors to be determined. Maybe 16/2 as I am finding that is a nice weight for towels.

Almost. I need to hem, wash and press. And create my info sheet that goes with it!

Please PM me the address to mail the 6 towels. (And do we still include $8, or more, for return postage?)

Sally

I've got the last few blocks of pattern to do and them I'm finished! Will still need to wash, hem and mail the towels. I so look forward to the return mail in April.

ps: sending yarnfloozie a pm so that I can get the address to send to.

Towels need to be postmarked 1 March 2012, which is Thursday. Please drop me a line so I know they're coming, and I will let you know when they arrive here. Here's the address, in case anyone needs it:

Amy Lenertz

9810 42nd St SE

Minot ND 58701

Hopefully there by the end of the week.

I have both you and tarrilynn down as pending; I'll post when they arrive!

They came in yesterday's mail--beautiful!!

My set arrived in today's mail.

WOW!

That's what everyone's been saying...yay!

How about anyone else?

Many, many, thanks to Yarnfloozie for coordinating this exchange, and to the participants for taking the time to weave such beautiful towels!

I took part in the exchange years ago when it was at the 'homesteadweaver'...got some really great towels and I'm looking forward to participating sometime in the future...it was great fun!

We'll hope to see you (well, your towels anyway ;) soon!

for the next (2013) exchange, if you are willing to continue to coordinate Yarnfloozie. (Again, so many thanks for doing this.)

Got room for one more person on the next exchange? Now that Erica is the Weavo owner, I have time to weave and would love to join the exchange. When is the next one?
Claudia, Weavo co-founder and former owner
Retired and doing better

Postmarked 1 March 2013, rules shouldn't change otherwise--I don't think we had any issues that needed to addressed.

Sure we do! They need to be postmarked 1 March 2013.

 Here are the current rules:

2013 Towel Exchange

Fiber: Cotton, linen, hemp, ramie, and/or rayon (please, not 100% rayon!).

Size: 18" x 25" or 425 sq in, minimum, finished. Please allow for shrinkage/draw-in/take-up.

Finishing: Hand or machine hemmed, hemstitched, washed and pressed.

Enclosures: For each towel, please send:

1) A copy of the draft and drawdown, including the source.

2) A short biography, including name, address and email

3) A picture of yourself, your loom, or your studio (optional)

Quantity: Six towels

Fee: Should be no more than $10 within the States, provided postage doesn't go up. International will of course be higher. To get a relatively accurate estimate, calculate postage to zipcode 58701 for a two pound package at www.usps.com and round up to the nearest dollar. Or, drop me a line, and I'll let you know. To save on postage costs, use the Tyvek envelopes.

Deadline for signing up: 1 February 2013

Deadline for towel delivery to me: 1 March 2013 (postmarked). I should be able to get them exchanged and sent out by the middle of April. Priority mail would be appreciated, as it’s fairly easy to track and delivery is usually quite quick. My address is:

Amy Lenertz

9810 42nd

St SE

Minot ND 58701

How to take part: Email (yarnfloozie@hotmail.com) with your snail mail address. Put ‘towel exchange’ in the subject line.

Queries? Email me!