Using the octal computer codes, I translated the word HOPE into a
weaving pattern, and this is the result. I was using a sunrise as the
source for the colors, which are a red and orange warp and a gray weft.
The pattern is a 64 thread repeat. Treddling is "tromp as writ." I
played with about a dozen twill tie-ups before settling on the one I
used. The pattern is very subtle, so I did it in a cotton yarn that I
guess was about 20/2 (it wasn't marked, and I don't remember where I got
it) with a sett of 30/inch. With a few extra threads for a floating
selvage and to double up threads at the selvage, I had about 906 ends in
total. After washing the width was 27.5"
About the octal computer codes - A is 101, B is 102, etc. up to Z as
132. That's a lot of 1s, so I first subtracted 100 from all the
codes. Then, because octal numbers are 0 to 7 and my weaving program
numbers the harnesses 1 to 8, I added 1 to each individual digit. That
resulted in representing A by 12, B by 13, etc. to Z as 43. So the
whole word of 4 letters is represented by 8 threads. From there I
turned it into a twill, resulting in a 64 thread pattern.
Treddling this was a real pain in the neck, but having 18 treddles
helped a lot because I could rearrange things to make it more
convenient. This would have been almost impossible without weaving
software - or it would have taken MUCH, MUCH longer to figure out!
It's beautiful! What a fun vest to wear. Is the construction a pattern or did you design it yourself?
I designed the pattern myself. I have a dress form - the foam kind with a body "dress" that you fit to your body and then zip onto the form. So, I made a version of this vest from scrap material first and then took it apart and used it as the pattern.
Okay, you lost me with the octal stuff but your garment and weaving are gorgeous!
I really like the color choices you have made.
Thank you! I was thinking of a sunrise when I picked the colors - that early morning time when it's red, orange and gray all at the same time or in streaks.
Sally
So, I wore this out to dinner with my husband on Saturday evening. The front is only held closed with the little belt buckle closing, that that didn't seem to work very well. So whe I got home I started thinking about how to do an ECO (engineering change order) on it. I didn't want buttons or velcro or even snaps because it would show on left front.
But then I remembered some very strong little magnets I had. They are so strong that you can put one on each side of a finger and they will hold. So, I took some satin binding and made little pouches to hold the magnets. I slipped 4 into the rolled edge at the front with a few invisible stitches to hold them in place. I then sewed 4 (in the pouches) to the inside of the vest.
Presto! A truly invisible way to hold the front opening in place!
This wouldn't work for everything - like straps for example, but for this is works perfectly.
I just added the draft for this. You can see it here:
http://weavolution.com/draft/octal-versi...
Just copy and paste this into the address window if clicking on it doesn't work.
SallyE
Love the design of the vest!
SallyE--
The colors, the design, the finishing--everything about your vest is perfect. I'm very impressed by your magnet retrofit and want to try it on a garment that has been giving me grief, so thanks for the idea. Kudos!
Thank you for the kind words!
Sally
