This was done at the end of the weft-faced sampler. It uses false selvedge from a textile mill, of cotton warp and wool or cotton wefts. I wanted to try this to see how the cut ends would show in the wider sett... would it look like a rya or chenille surface? I used two picks of the false selvedge, then two picks of the 2-ply wool I've used for the rest of the sampler of weft-faced techniques. These two alternated in a plain weave. I have several bags of the false selvedge that I'll be using with my class at Penland next months... wanted to try it out to see what potential it might have.
someone has to ask-- what are false selvages?
Ingamarie,
So glad you asked that question!
Looks like a fun project.
The false selvedges are those that are produced on an industrial weaving machine when a particular type of weft insertion method is used. it's made of several warps that are spaced slightly away from the body of the cloth and the wefts go to those edges but they're cut off as the weaving progresses. They are collected in bins beside the machines... these are from Oriole Mill and are of pima cotton warp with assorted very nice wefts... either linen, fine cotton, or merino wool. I was able to sample with some of these through the graciousness of Bethanne Knudson from Oriole Mill. I want to experiment more with these and will also be using them with my Penland class next month for a bit of sampling.
This is the first time I've known about them and the first time to use them. The ends are short, not held in place with anything but I think the firmness of the packing will hold them just fine for decorative applications like throw pillows or hangings. I wouldn't think they'd work for rugs. I added a photo to show how they are cut and pulled away from the woven piece in progress.
Tommye
Very interesting. I wonder if you sewed down the center of the selvage with a multistep zigzag, whether it wouldn't be secure enough for rug usage...
Thanks for showing us the sample.
Debbie
