This was my "warp from hell" - I can't believe how much went wrong while
making this. First, I got through about 3/4 of the warping (504 ends)
when I realized that I'd made a mistake and dropped about 8 threads
from the pattern way back at the beginning. Well, there was no way to
just added heddles and fix that, so I pulled it out and started over
almost. This was my first warp on my new-to-me countermarch loom, and
so if you saw my posts about that you know I had a lot of trouble
setting up the loom for the first time. (Varpapuu loom)
Well, I finally got the loom warped and started weaving. First I wove a
little sample to make sure the threading was right. I left some
spacers in for the fringe and started weaving. Then I realized much
too late that I'd made a mistake too far back to re-weave it, but no
matter. The warp was plenty long so I ended that section and started
over with a new piece. Ops, another mistake realized too late, so I
ended that, added spacers and started over AGAIN! And as if that
wasn't enough it happened once more! Finally, I was able to do the
piece I wanted - a 48" table runner. When that was done I just wove
off the rest of the warp with the middle part of the design and in a
couple of colors. I'll use that for some sewing project later. Good
thing I had a 5 yard warp to start with. I lost a lot in just fringes.
So, I twisted the fringes and washed all the pieces. Then while
ironing, I discovered a very subtle threading error! It's so subtle,
that I didn't see ti while weaving, I didn't see it while twisting the
fringe, I didn't see it until after the piece was washed. I ironed it
hard and now the mistake is again difficult to see! But, I know it's
there which is maddening.
I do like the pattern, however, and may actually do this again. But
next time I will remove that first sample from the loom and take a
REALLY good look at it before continuing, because that threading mistake
could only be seen from the underside.
This really was a Hell-o-weave!
Thanks for the details! So many things can go wrong when you do something complex, but I have to say, the end result is pretty darn fabulous! I love the subtle and gradual changes in the pattern. I'd've made plenty of mistakes so I'm in awe of your lovely pieces!
Kitty
Now to add some humor - having a mistake in a piece I weave I do not consider a mistake but the ever-possible chance outcome that ensures the project will be forever seen for what it is - a handmade item from a fallable human.
Let`s see if we can make it worse? turn of a few lights, smudge the eyeglasses, forget your place or count, try to "stretch out" your yarn cutting some a little shorter to keep from making an emergency overnight order for another cone, miss threading a heddle and get out of sequence, miss a dent in the reed when slaying the warp. There`s bound to be more that can apply,,,anyone else want to share?
First I think this is a really pretty piece. I really like grey mixed with color.
Ah, and mistakes! Along with r1 mein54 some humour! There was the time I was sooooooo excited I cut the piece off not allowing for my planned fringe with no hemstiching! Oh, the sinking feeling! Funny now, not then! I did a tiny little fringe with the aid of a tapestry needle. Took forever! I think mistakes in weaving keep us humble! And you know what, almost no one else ever sees them. So I think the Warp From Hell turned out really well!And good for you for Perserverance !
Thank you all for the nice comments. I'm hoping I made so many mistakes on this one that I'll have used my my quota for awhile!
Don't some of the American Indian weavers put in a mistake on purpose so as not to compete with the Gods? Well, I don't have to worry about doing that!
"Warp from hell" has yielded some beautiful weaving. Lovely colours, fab pattern...it's heavenly!
Having to pull out threaded heddles because of threading errors is the pits; I usually adjourn and take a tea-break before I can face the task of re-threading them!
Beth
Wow, that must be strong tea if that is all it takes. LOL!
Sally, I think it's the second hand zen of the chinese green tea...and also the fact that the tea-break is usually a long time!!
