Hello, everyone.

The last time I used my loom was about 8 years ago. So, the process of planning a project and setting up and all that is basically a giant technique review for me! I found many of the posts and articles on this site useful so I joined up.

I have a Norwood floor loom (45" weaving width, I think. 4 shaft, 6 treadle, cherry) with the "Baldwin, MI" designation. My parents shipped it to me from Michigan after I moved to California. (Mom wasn't weaving any more at that point). I don't know why they decided to dissasemble it and pack it in 7 boxes when it would have folded up rather well, with maybe an additional box or two, but I had fun following my dad's (the engineer) instructions (including 3 rolls of photos and colored sticky dots) to put it together again. I felt like I really knew the loom after that.

I have a 12 dent and 16 dent reed. I had to clean Michigan-humidity-induced rust off one of the reeds, and a wide warp of cheap acrylic yarn finished the cleaning process. Mrs Miller, a neighbor and the original owner of the loom, did sectional warping and I have her tensioning box as well as a spool rack but I have never used those.  My dad made a 7.25 yard warping board so that's the longest warp I've ever done. 

The first thing I ever wove by myself was a very long and wide cotton (warp) - mohair (weft) scarf. Mom had put a cotton warp for placemats on the loom and got bored, redesignating the warp for scarves (more fun). My sister, my dad, and I all made a scarf. I still have mine. My mom always had various projects going on the loom throughout my childhood (pillow covers and wall hangings) so if it was an uncomplicated section my sister and I would "help". She may have imitated Penelope every night, I don't know.

The next thing I did all by myself was a wide acrylic throw (the rust-cleaning project), then pearle cotton placemats. The acrylic throw is long gone but the placemats are still around. They are rather floppy and squishy and unsatisfying so don't get used much. Maybe I should starch them and iron them flat.

The next project (we are up to 8 years ago) was a rather insane wool twill based on some extant late medieval textile finds. It may have been 32epi? I'd have to look at my notes (and find them first). I never did make anything out of the finished cloth (probably because it was 'lost' in a box in a closet for 7 years). I warped as I usually did (front to back) and my memories of the trouble and horror of tangling warp stayed with me and I'm going to warp back to front for my next project. I need to make a raddle.

Up next is a cotolin table runner and placemats in some rose path flavor.

I'm in the middle of a big weight loss, and I'd like to try making some cloth for garments in the future. And try double weave for a bed spread.

I live in the greater Sacramento, California area. 

Pictures of the above-mentioned projects now in my project area! Yay!

Liz

 

 

 

 

Comments

Wed, 05/14/2014 - 09:41

Artistry

Welcome E.A.Y.! I enjoyed reading your story of how you came to weaving and how you were reunited with your Mother's loom. I can just envision the roll of photos with the sticky dots from your father ( something my Dad would do:)) for the directions for putting the loom together. I remember visiting the Norwood Loom showroom in Michigan one summer, they were busy making looms, so much cherry wood! They are beautiful looms. You are lucky to have your Mother's loom, I have my Great Aunts. If you need advice on projects you can always do a search, there's a little search box. Or just simply ask! We're a friendly helpful group. Cathie
Wed, 05/14/2014 - 12:32

Queezle

I think there are a lot of us here who took a long hiatus from weaving - for me it was a 15-year period (yikes).  This is such a wonderful community! 

Incidentally, I think weaving is great for weight loss, as its impossible to eat while both hands and feet are busy, and because you do keep moving (unlike curled up on the sofa, reading a book, with a delicious bowl of coffee ice cream, but I digress). 

I look forward to seeing your projects!

Wed, 05/14/2014 - 15:08

E.A.Y.

Projects now in my profile. Have fun.

Mon, 06/23/2014 - 02:31

Jaci Siehl

My husband surprised me at Christmas and my birthday by getting me a Schacht Baby Wolf and spinning wheel in 1988 after I spent 4 hours with the spinners and weavers at the Los Angeles County Fair.  We lived in a small apartment so every time I wanted to weave something we took apart the kitchen table and stored it on its side in the hallway.  That didn't last long.  Then when we finally moved to a house large enough for me to leave the loom set up I changed jobs and was out of the house at 6:00 am and didn't get home until almost 9:00 pm.  Never seemed to be time to do anything that required time and attention.  So my wheel & loom were sent to the corner of the bedroom.  It was not until 2001 when we moved to the Chico area when I got bit again by the fiber bug.  We raised Jacob Sheep for about 10 years but now I just buy the fiber and process it myself.  A dear friend of my had some health issues so her family "dispersed" all of her fiber things.  We found buyers for her looms and most of her yarn and books, but to thank me for helping them, the family gave me a ton of yarns.  Now I am really re-energized to do something with all of these beautiful yarns - Betty loved the best fibers and bright colors!

I am a member of Mt. Lassen Fiber Guild and part of the organizing team that puts on Fiber Fusion each year.  So there isn't has much spare time as I'd like, but much more time for inspiration!

Check out Mt. Lassen Fiber Guild or fiber-fusion.org.  Lots of fun things going on there.  We even have a group that is in the middle of the first harvest of flax.  We are experimenting on what type of flax will grow in our area and then hope to do enough to weave a fabric from all local fibers....going to be a lot of fun.

Jaci