RepWeaver Demo Table Runner
Had to put this warp on my loom for a quick demo for two of my Seattle Weavers' Guild buds who asked to watch me warp my loom. I like the colors but wish there was a bit more contrast between background and pattern. Over all, this motif has possiblities for further exploration.
Basic Rag Rug
These rugs are usually what I make, so I posted an example. The idea is not hard to see; allowing space for a fringe, then a denser header, then the body, another header and room for fringe.
second of two rugs on one warp
This is the second of two rag rugs I wove on this warp. I'd meant to use it as a sink rug in my own kitchen. But the colors went so well with the background colors of the mural in my granddaughter's room (her artistic parents painted it) that I decided to give it to her instead. The combination of warp colors against the stripes of rag weft resulted in a subtle color play that picks up the color theme in the mural nicely. She is willing to overlook the slightly uneven selfedge on this one.
I had woven about an inch and a half of half-basket weave at either end, and originally was going to hem it. Instead I hemstiched it and left a short twisted and knotted fringe to make it a little fancier for her.
first of two rag rugs on one warp
This is a case of using family to practice and learn on: thus the name of the rug, which I made for my daughter. I combined left-over blue-grey unmercerized cotton warp with a mercerized orange cotton to make a simple,.balanced stripe. I was ready for the blue-grey this time, so warping went a little easier. This is the first of two rugs I wove on the warp; the second is a little shorter and simpler. I'll post it separately.
My daughter wanted something colorful, so I selected several rolls of plain and patterned rag strips, largely blues and oranges from a box I had picked up at a weaver's studio sale, and worked out a rough pattern. I kind of winged it, changing things to create a more pleasing pattern as the weaving progressed. My daughter really likes the subtle interplay of the warp stripes on the weft stripes: not really a plaid, but nice colorplay. shots a few times.
HOWEVER, I wove this when I was just coming down with flu, and managed to make one of the most fundamental mistakes of all: I forgot to secure the beginning of the rug and started weaving rags right after the padding. Duh. Didn't even notice until I took the rug off the loom. (On the positive side, my selfedges are much improved.) Not knowing quite what to do, I simply tied off pairs of warp threads with a granny knot.
Hurriedly looked in Peter Collingsworth, and first tried a woven edge, which was quite simple (and satisfying) but I decided it didn't really fit the rug. I finally muddled through how to tie a locked loop edge so it was pretty even, leaving just enough warp for a short fringe.
Every time I made one of these goofy mistakes, I learn not only not to do that again, but also at least one creative way to fix my mistake. And acquire something I can use on purpose on some other project. That is one of the reasons I love weaving!
PS: This is the last time I warp up with that blue-grey. It came with the loom, and I wish I knew the brand so I could make sure to avoid it in the future. The orange handled beautifully.
Denim rag rug
was hoping to make this 52" but ran out of warp - too much takeup I think, close to 30%. Other than that i LOVE it!
Twined Rugs (2 Side-by-side)
This is actually two rugs, each about 45in wide, being woven side by side. One is primarily blue, with some burgundy and black. The other is primarily (sage?)green with brown and tan, and a smidgen of red The rugs are not yet finished, but they are about halfway to their 6ft-plus length
20090727 - SInce the most recent photos, I've advanced the warp and reached the half way point on the green rug. Blue rug still has a few inches to go. Blue rug will have monochromatic blues in the middle, which has just been started. The Burgundy and black will also be done on the other side of the blue block. The Green rug has 6 monochromatic brown stripes that mark the middle of the piece, and I am starting to go back to the mixed green/yellow/brown colors. All 6 brown strips are not shown in this picture, because I've decided I will only try to share pictures I take just before I advance the warp... (To avoid too many pics).
20100110 - This project has been on hold through the last few months of 2009, due to other projects, but I am now past the halfway point on both rugs...
20100914 - This project has been on hold again since the spring, due to a hooked rug I've been working on...
