I discovered the homesteadweaver's towel exchange after she ended it, and would like to bring it back (in a small way, to begin with!) Might anyone be interested?

Comments

sally orgren

I am just peeking in here because Jerri told me about this exchange. Can't wait to see the results! Hope one of you will post the collection that comes in before distribution—

Sally

 

Lauries (not verified)

I finished weaving the 2nd towel warp yesterday. I am going to try and post a picture, first time. The first one is taken from the top and the second from under the cloth beam.

Claudia Segal (not verified)

Nice colors.  Looks like a fiesta to me.

Claudia

yarnfloozie (not verified)

 The towels of one of our participants have turned out to be 17" in width, and there isn't time to redo them. Would anyone mind? They are all between 26"-30" in length.

Bonnie Datta (not verified)

Any reasonable size is OK by me.  I too use pieces of cloth for many things, and some of these might be candidates for table runners, basket liners -- who knows?

I tried to post to the Yahoo group about a week ago but it didn't go through.  At that time I was thinking I'd have real trouble meeting the deadline.  However things have gone smoothly and I'm on my 4th towel now.  I also found a threading error, so if I have enough warp I'll do a replacement, otherwise I'll need time to needle weave the correction into the first towel.  So it looks like I'll be on time, and here's hoping the package doesn't get held up in customs.

My towels are a fine singles linen and hemp.  I was happy to go to a link that Michael posted and see this:

"Characteristics of hemp fiber are its superior strength and durability, resistance to ultraviolet light and mold, comfort and good absorbency, almost 150% of its own weight. The original Levi Strauss jeans were made from lightweight hemp canvas. Hemp rope is notorious for breaking due to rot as the capillary effect of the rope-woven fibers tended to hold liquid at the interior, while seeming dry from the outside.

"This is an excellent fiber for making a towel. I highly recommend this fiber for a towel that you will give you years of use and be extremely absorbent."

(That site about towels was fantastic!

http://www.directtextiles.com/index.html)

Will there be a "group show" here on Weavo or do we each post our own photos, draft, etc.?

Thanks for organizing this, Amy.  I'm really looking forward to seeing and feeling and using the towels I get.

Bonnie.

 

 

Michael White

Bonnie, I am glad you enjoyed the towel site.  I removed the pictures that I posted here. Cheryl says it's no surprise if you get to see the finish towels early.

Sorry,

Michael

yarnfloozie (not verified)

 I don't know where my post went...it just disappeared. Anyway, Claudia offered to host a one time live deal (post 50; I don't know exactly how that works, though) for us, if we'd like. I am planning on posting pictures, also, after it's all done.

 

corssing fingers for no customs hold-ups!

yarnfloozie (not verified)

 Got your towels yesterday!

Bonnie Datta (not verified)

Hi everyone.  I finished the finishing yesterday and will take pictures then drive to town and put them in the mail today.  Whew!  That was a workout.  The warp yarn was fuzzy and hairy and took a lot of gentle handling -- I had to comb out the fuzzies and clip the collars and cuffs every time I rolled forward.  I used hairspray on the warp and it seemed to help a little, but the back and forth action of the beater just kept churning up the loosely spun (single ply) fiber.

They'll be good towels now that they are finished (I hope).

Bonnie.

 

Michael White

I to have shipped towels today. The towels are thick and heavy weight cotton. The cost of shipping from Georgia to Minot, ND priority mail was $10.35. So Amy if you find you need more then $8.oo for postage let me know.

Michael

yarnfloozie (not verified)

 The closer ones won't be as much; I think it will all average out. For next time, though, I may just have people send whatever it cost them. Might be a bit more fair?

Jerri S

Mine are packed and ready to go in the mail tomorrow.

Another idea about postage: you can go online to usps.com and click and ship. You make the label and figure the postage (need a scale) then pay online and print out label and tape it onto the package. Then you just hand it over at the post office. Not positive, but I think you can put in the the slot or in a mailbox, but don't quote me on the last one.

Thanks for coordinating Amy. This has been fun, and a learning experience. Jerri

Michael White

When I went to mail Cheryl's towels I went by the shop where Cheryl sells most of her weavings to show the shop owner this "new" pattern. I also stopped at the local print shop to buy a stapler. The owner of the print shop looked at the towels and ordered 4 of the blue one. So today Cheryl was making  a 17 towel warp, 4 for Trudy and 12 for Cynthia at Genuine Georgia: www.genuinegeorgia.com The other one will be posted to Cheryl's web site

Michael

yarnfloozie (not verified)

 Hey, that's pretty awesome!

yarnfloozie (not verified)

 The towels are all here, and were sorted yesterday. I have scanned them and sent them to Chris, who will post them on her website after I do a little write-up and double check for spelling errors. I will start sending them out starting Wednesday. I will send an email with the tracking number to each of you as they get sent off.

Michael White

time going through all the towels. Was it like being in a weavers candy store? We look forward to seeing what comes our way. Thanks for all your work.

Michael 

yarnfloozie (not verified)

 The hard part is having to send so many away...

Claudia Segal (not verified)

I hope we'll soon see an influx of towels here on Weavo.  This sounds like it was a great weave along.  

I did offer to set up a time when everyone could meet in person once you finsihed the towels.  We could do it on the video web conferencing we are using for Cyber-Fiber and that way you all get to meet in person and talk about this experience.

I am available during the week, Sundays are good, too.  I am off on Saturday.  So, pick a day and let's get together. 

Claudia

weave2 (not verified)

They all look beautiful!  I especially like the one on the bottom row, center, that looks like it has flowers woven on it.

Lauries (not verified)

They look great. Thanks for all your hard work. Laurie

suzyhok (not verified)

Very impressive work from all of you!  BRAVO!

Threshkin (not verified)

So, when do we sign up for the next exchange?

sewwhatsports (not verified)

the towels are beautiful.  I would love to be in the next exchange.

sally orgren

Although I didn't participate in this exchange, I have been following the progress and end result. Spectacular!!! And thanks again to Amy, the coordinator. I agree with Threshkin, when's the next one?

It was really fun to see the work of members I have met previously at meet ups (Shout out to Lauries!) and those who I have only known "virtually". I must confess after viewing the collection, I am more likely to remember your dishtowel pattern and color than your name or avatar when we meet again, Ms. Labyrinth. ;-)

Thank you for creating this forum and to all of the participants for sharing the journey. (I hope you all continue to post photos when the dishtowels arrive at your homes!)

jordanj (not verified)

These towels are awesome! I hoping that drafts and project details will be added into people's project page! Looks like there's a lot of interest for another exchange - count me in!

Bravo everyone!

Jennifer

Michael White

Hello everyone,

The towels arrived today and what fun.  I am so impressed with the variety and creativity of everyone involved.  Such a nice group of towels and great info as well.

 When this first started, I thought of the old chain letters where you sent the letter to a group of friends, and a dish towel to the person on the top of the list.  If the chain didn't break down, you were supposed to get about 2 dozen towels (all store bought of course), but this is Sooo Much More Fun!!!

A BIG thank you to Amy for organizing this, and count me in for another exchange.

thanks to everyone,

Cheryl

yarnfloozie (not verified)

 Same time, same place? I'm going to tweak the rules a bit (nothing major), but I'll keep the deadline at 1 March 2012.

yarnfloozie (not verified)

 That was fast--they left here the day before yesterday!

Michael White

Amy, I don't think people want to wait that long. I am thinking some people would like to do this as a summer thing. I guess you could toss it out and see that you catch.

Michael

yarnfloozie (not verified)

Hmmm...am I hearing twice a year, or am I hearing different time frame? I will admit that I chose the time I did because (being a Northerner!) I tend to spend as much time a possible outdoors when I can, therefore my weaving is more of a winter deal. If the group would prefer a change of date, though, I'll certainly consider it.

Michael White

Amy, I know you like to be outdoors in the warm weather (2 weeks) (g) I have friends in the UP of MI they tell me, you have to be very careful with Summer, if it comes one night you will miss it.(lol) I don't think you would have to weave for this towel exchange. You, if you want, could just handle the exchange its self. Lets see what the other people think about a Summer exchange.

Michael 

Bonnie Datta (not verified)

Hi Everyone.  I am really looking forward to the arrival of my package -- I can see from the pictures that everyone outdid themselves to make this a really gratifying exchange.  It's great that there is so much interest in doing it again.

To anyone who receives the towels I made, please be aware that these will shed some lint the first few times they're washed.  I wet finished them of course, but I expect more lint to shed and I wanted to warn everyone not to wash them with stuff where that will be a problem.  The linen/hemp fiber will get softer if you rough it up so don't be afraid to wash the towel with work clothes, blue jeans, rugs or mats.

Thanks again Amy, for making this possible, and thanks to all participants for making it happen.

Bonnie.

 

yarnfloozie (not verified)

Yep, we have a snow removal project up here...it's called July! I wouldn't be opposed to simply hosting; I just need to know what folks want.

Michael White

Being from NY I have seen snow melting in July where it has been accumulated from plowing shopping centers etc.

Michael

Lauries (not verified)

My towels arrived yesterday. WOW. My vote would be for the March deadline. It works out the best for me.

missbeckyohh43 (not verified)

So... is there talk of another exchange?  I am really interested.... but I will have to see.  My next beginning project is to make some towels,.... but I am afraid I will have to step up my ability to participate in something like this.  

yarnfloozie (not verified)

 I suppose it's past time to remind folks about the exchange. Rules are pretty similar; I'm not limiting the number of participants this year, though. Email me with your snail mail address to get in on the fun!

[email protected]

Also consider joining the yahoo group if you haven't already.

sally orgren

And fill me in on the specs. PM with my address to come.

March is okay by me. Summer is laid back, Fall = a lot of fiber festivals (and for me, work travel), then there is the holiday-eating-season between Halloween to New Year. So in theory, March sounds good! 

yarnfloozie (not verified)

Fiber: Cotton, linen, hemp, ramie, and/or rayon (please, not 100% rayon!).

Size: 18” x 25” or 425 sq in, minimum, finished. Please allow for shrinkage/draw-in/take-up.

Finishing: Hand or machine hemmed, hemstitched, washed and pressed.

Enclosures: For each towel, please send: 1) A copy of the draft and drawdown, including the source. 2) A short biography, including name, address and email 3) A picture of yourself, your loom, or your studio (optional).

 

Deadline for signing up: 1 February 2012

Deadline for towel delivery to me: 1 March 2012 (postmarked). I should be able to get them exchanged and sent out by the middle of April. Priority mail would be appreciated, as it’s fairly easy to track and delivery is usually quite quick.

Fee: Should be no more than $8 within the States, provided postage doesn't go up. International will of course be higher. To get a relatively accurate estimate, calculate postage for a two pound package at www.usps.com

 and round up to the nearest dollar. To save on postage costs, use the Tyvek envelopes.

 

 Quantity: Six towels

How to take part: Email ([email protected]) with your snail mail address. Put ‘towel exchange’ in the subject line.

Queries? Email me!

 Also, if you are in the yahoo group, please make sure I've entered your information correctly (if I haven't, please correct whatever needs it), then add your email address.

 

Please forgive the wonky formatting--I can't seem to make it behave. 

tarrilynn (not verified)

Hello!

my name is tarrilynn! and I love exchanges. I've done quilt blocks and round robins(where you add a layer or round or row to an existing fiber project).  I especially love weaving dish towels and fabrics for curtains/items of clothing. I am currently rehabbing a 12 harness Nilart and have a 4h Nilus under warp at all times.

sally orgren

I am planning my dishtowels now! (Can't wait for April...)

Sally

Monica Bellas (not verified)

I would love to participate. Count me in! Sending my info your way.

Monica

tarrilynn (not verified)

Weaving away on the dish towels. What fun! Trying to decide on what to do next: more towels or curtains or runners or overshot? the choices seem endless. What are YOU up to????

sally orgren

I too, can't wait! I hope to get the loom warped up this week. I am planning a 4-shaft pattern—colors to be determined. Maybe 16/2 as I am finding that is a nice weight for towels.

sally orgren

Almost. I need to hem, wash and press. And create my info sheet that goes with it!

Please PM me the address to mail the 6 towels. (And do we still include $8, or more, for return postage?)

Sally

tarrilynn (not verified)

I've got the last few blocks of pattern to do and them I'm finished! Will still need to wash, hem and mail the towels. I so look forward to the return mail in April.

 

ps: sending yarnfloozie a pm so that I can get the address to send to.

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