I like the finished pocket to carry as a small purse. The flamingoes stand on their feet on the back also. I am not pleased with the seam at the bottom. At first I could not get all the white threads covered, tried several techniques then covered it with very dense buttonhole stitch to get it as black as the woven solid black bands. Then I washed it, the design popped up but the the bottom seamed buckled! If I were to do it again I'd put the seam at the top and cover it with the strap. I might like the birds looking at each other also. Second time is usually better.
The strap is woven from the same threads on the same loom, just a new warp, finished it was 7/8" x 59". The pocket itself is 8 1/8" x 8 1/2". Hangs nicely on me too, a little higher because it has to go around more.
I would like a bag/pocket to wear and decided I'd try a wide version of the Latin American paired float technique I've been using for bookmarks. I've been working on a sturdy, handmade inkle loom, in the shape of a cat, that has the pegs supported on both sides except during warping.Well, by the time I had enough warp threads to make the bird motif one of the pegs was bending. So I shortened the warp plan. I could not get the peg to fit into the second side when I re-assembled it because of the severe angle. This is definetely the limit for width of this loom, or maybe a little beyond it. Because of the angle of the peg the warps are not all the same length and I have been creative in trying to keep them all under the same tension. You can see the broken peg and the bars in the background of the bird have curves. I am managing to weave it though. But I think I have reached several limits; limit of the loom, limit of the designs that can be woven with this technique (it just takes a lot of threads to get a charming motif) and my interest in these technique is waning.
It is size 10 crochet cotton ( the only size I can get in lots of colors), not exactly rope, and there are about 270 warp ends and it is weaving 4.00" wide.
It is now off the loom with 4 flamingoes, two upside down. The woven area is 39.5'x4.25'. Now on to construction.
Sewing the bottom seam with buttonhole stitch. I want it to be as black as the center stripe. The paper sticks out the opening. I need to weave a strap now.
Yes, my inkle mudcloth has been on my loom wayyyyyyy toooo long. But as soon as one warp comes off, I am anxious to put on another one.
This is just fabulous to see. Thanks so much for posting! And you are making such spectacular items here, I hate to see you stop!
Looks fabulous. Sorry to hear the loom is stressing out with this design. Have you considered a Gilmore Wave? I have fallen in love with it and believe it could tolerate the tension required for this design. There are 3 choices in size too. You may want to check it out here.
Looking forward to seeing the finished piece once this is done.
Claudia
I am actually thinking about moving over to a backstrap loom. My biggest problem is that I'm no longer young/agile enough to sit on the floor to weave. I would love to get my hands on one of the rocking benches with a foot rest that were designed for the Maya weavers. Even the plans would be good.
Karen, I love what you have accomplished! I have not heard of paired float technique before, but I could not see a close-up of the project so that might have helped. I like the motiff and what a wonderful way of using #10 crochet cotton.
Pirkko
I will put details up when I finish the project but I was trying to get the motif here. There are details of the bookmarks in the same techniques, look at my other projects.
Pirkko, our paths crossed in the 80's when I was active in weaving circles, so nice to here from you again. Finding old friends on Weavolution, its great!
If you don't move too well for a backstrap loom, I have heard of people trying a rocking chair, or sitting on the stool that goes with the 'glider rockers'. That might be the solution to your 'i don't dare sit on the ground'.
