Just to show I have done *something*...

 

As told before, I will (at most) weave samples for something that is to be done in Februari - preferrable something with a little volume. It has to be hang from one end, and be at most 10 cm deep.

The first I thought of was three layers with offset layer-crossings, something like this: (don't mind the colours, I have to see/understand what I'm thinking, structurally, at first)

Then I realized it would "collapse" to flat, when hung. So... could the layers all have different lengths, perhaps?

Tried to modify the idea, still drawing on the 'puter, came up with this:

(not a very good drawing, but...) And realized I would need three beams. Perhaps the third could be rigged up, somehow?

 

Other possibilities, same basic idea - and only two beams: one straight middle layer, two longer outer:

 

Now I have yet another idea: just two layers, the middle one "interesting", the other just making soft curves. (Another bad sketch... think black for the straight, white for the curvy)

Somehow, the layers will have to be joined at the top, but could be left hanging at the bottom.

Probably there will be more thinking long before there will be any weaving...

 

Comments

theresasc

I can almost see how the "S" shape could be done.  Maybe a bit like weaving seersucker with two beams.  I guess the word "almost" is key here.

mneligh

Using 2 beams and 3 plies, you can advance the two outside layers at the same rate, and the inside one at a slower rate.  There is no limit in either direction as to width.

The difficulty I had was finding materials that were stiff enough to use for the warp.  I used a lot of spray starch, but did not use wire because of cost.  If every so often (5 threads, 8 threads, as the weave dictates) for at least the outer layers you throw in a plastic coated wire as a warp thread, it should have enough body not to collapse.   So should string trimmer line or heavier plastic fishing line, for at least the outer layers.  I would stay away from uncoated wire for fear of damaging my loom.

mneligh

Using 2 beams and 3 plies, you can advance the two outside layers at the same rate, and the inside one at a slower rate.  There is no limit in either direction as to width.

The difficulty I had was finding materials that were stiff enough to use for the warp.  I used a lot of spray starch, but did not use wire because of cost.  If every so often (5 threads, 8 threads, as the weave dictates) for at least the outer layers you throw in a plastic coated wire as a warp thread, it should have enough body not to collapse.   So should string trimmer line or heavier plastic fishing line, for at least the outer layers.  I would stay away from uncoated wire for fear of damaging my loom.

sally orgren

I took a workshop with her this summer at Convergence. She is based in Rhode Island. She weaves with wire and monofilament to produce shape and volume. 

http://www.forgedfiber.net/

kerstinfroberg

is now on the loom.

The "straight" layer is blue, the (what? undulating?) is white. The white warp is three times the length of the blue. The white warp starts in the middle of the blue (width-wise), to make this one sample into two: should the longer layer be wider or narrower than the shorter?

Weaving will star tomorrow - meanwhile:

(I wanted to add another pic, but wasn't allowed - was, in fact, denied access to my own pages...)

I plan to use Susie Taylor's method of getting the longer layer "in line" - will report back...

Group Audience