My guild (Chautauqua County Weavers Guild) program tomorrow is Rigid Heddle Shibori. I have mine on a LeClerc Penelope Tapestry loom. We're using wool to make mug rugs. I've always felt mug rugs were a waste of time (although perhaps a nice area to experiment in) so I'm weaving a scarf. Plus I just have a 6 dent heddle.

Has anyone else done this? I remember an article somewhere on RH Shibori, but can't remember where. I'll let you know how it went.

Comments

Sun, 06/27/2010 - 14:57

jemwork (not verified)

That's where the article is. Thanks for posting the link.

I found out that my Penelope Loom is not a RH loom. I knew it was a tapestry loom, but it has a RH heddle/beater. I've woven since 1971 (not continuously) & not seen a RH loom operate. My friend has an Ashford on a stand - lovely loom.

I can post some before pictures & I'll also write up a project sheet to keep updated. I've got plans to dye wool in August. I have a natural dye class at Convergence & might apply some of that to my dye day.

We had a great meeting. Dar handed out Koolaid packets for this project. I've not done that before either. I have woven shibori before. I should post that as well!

Tue, 06/29/2010 - 17:55

jemwork (not verified)

Here are a couple pics of the RH loom set up for the mug rugs, and the weaving. The dark lines are the pattern shots that will be pulled & tied before dyeing

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Tue, 06/29/2010 - 18:33

Caroline (not verified)

Thank you for showing that. How do you work out the pattern? I don't know anyone who has tried this method, or who teaches it, but it has always intrigued me, and I would like to know more.

Tue, 06/29/2010 - 21:54

jemwork (not verified)

Since we're using heavier wool, the pattern is quite simple - Start out with 12 shots plain weave, 1 shot pattern A, 2 shots plain, repeat 4x. Then 1 shot pattern B, 2 shots plain, 4x.

I haven't quite got the B pattern to show on my loom (have to pick it up separately, unlike the RH) Pattern A is picked up: 2 threads down, 3 threads up across the warp, ending with 2 threads down. The long thread is on top. Pattern B is opposite, I think, which sounds wrong to me. It would look the same when pulled, wouldn't it? Don't have the instructions right to hand...

Tue, 06/29/2010 - 22:11

Caroline (not verified)

If you are going in and out at the same points over the fabric, it might look the same when dyed. I would have thought the pattern rows should be staggered if the patterns were to be different.

Do you have Woven Shibori by Catherine Ellis? I will have a look in my copy and get back to you in a few hours - I'm in Australia and only up because of a sleepless night, so need a bit more shut-eye to be able to read (and understand what I read!)!

Group Audience
Handwoven Shibori