Hello everyone!

As I was telling Cathie yesterday, we moved twice in one year since I started tacking my certificate program of study. This group is really helping me get my head back in my studies. I'm wondering how you all are keeping track of your program/syllabus. At the risk of sounding too business oriented, what are you using for project management?

What are you using to organize your notes and drafts? Are you drafting in a weaving program? If so are you keeping your notes there?

How are you tackling the "syllabus" are you "going in order" or grouping in other ways?

I look forward to learning how others are tackling these necessary tasks.

Cheers,

Erica

Comments

Wed, 10/01/2014 - 07:25

Artistry

Hi Erica, Well since you didn't have any takers, you've got me again, lol! How are you? Aha! When I was doing the COE Level l we weren't allowed to use drafting programs for draft develop, it was paper and pencil.Level ll is a different matter. I would call Judi Eatough before doing any drawdown requirements on the computer and see if they are acceptable. As far as recod keeping, I kept a separate file on each sample.this would house the bibliography, problems,successes, materials,material source,setts, influences or inspiration, finishing techniques etc. and 2 samples. So I didn't arrange my notes on computer, but it could easily be done. I did two samples for almost every woven sample ( except tapestry and yardage) and took the best one. I really went in order as far as doing the written work and design work first.the reason why is there is so much to learn there that the examiners want to see you apply to the woven work latter on.( color,design,proportion) It made sense, to me, to stick with one like hand manipulated weaves and see it through. Your hands get better doing the various knots as you go along. Just as your beat and selvedges get better in the loom controlled section if you're doing that everyday. But jumping around ,from loom controlled to hand manipulated didn't make much sense to me. In the loom controlled it does make sense to do the variation in sett first since all your following samples will be based on good judgement according to sett. The only exceptions to these are if you are somewhat overwhelmed (and you've done the design work) you know you weave a mean overshot, then start there build up your confidence with your perfect 45 degree angle:) then start at the beginning. Does that make sense? questions, welcomed:) Cathie TJ is soooooo cute!
Wed, 10/01/2014 - 13:10

ingamarie

I have everything in Google Drive. I scanned in the handbook and did an OCR scan so I can edit the text. When I start on a given sample I make a fresh folder, and open text file with the description of the sample in the top.. then take notes there as I go. I'm terrible with keeping track of paper. The samples go into a file cabinet I have dedicated to it. 

When Mickey and I started together last year we went through and made a schedule of 3-4 samples / month. We met monthly. She was able to keep that schedule being single, no kids at home and retired. I was not, nor did I really intend to. But I've sort of vicariously gone through all the exercises. I did the one sample I could manage of the 3 she did in a month, so a little skipping around. I haven't found that to be a problem. I go more or less where the muses send me. Also where the warps make sense. So if I can double up a sample on the same warp I may do that.

 

Wed, 10/01/2014 - 19:02

Erica J

Thank you for sharing this great i formation. I have started and stopped, for childbearing, moves, life, etc. So I have not yet decided on one system.

I am not great with paper files eitger, so Google Drive is probably the route for me. Inge, I would love to try to keep up with you. I think 1 sample a month shouod be a good goal for me. I think weaving 2 and choosing the bedt is wise as well. Igne, what is your projected submission date? Perhaps we'll be finishing about the same time.

Thu, 10/02/2014 - 01:47

ingamarie

I'm aiming for 2016 submission. I've woven anywhere from 1-3 samples for each finished sample. I call them sample samples. Actually I think only one had just one sample. Most more. And I tend to go down a wormhole of wonderfullness exploring each one. Right now we're also in the midst of college apps so it will be a while before I can commit to a production schedule.  

Thu, 10/02/2014 - 12:32

Artistry

Erica, Which thread would you like us to discuss the testing on?
Thu, 02/19/2015 - 16:28

Kate in Scotland

I made an excel spreadsheet with all the samples and then have boxes indicating which loom I'll weave them on, and which I can do on the same warp, and othe projects I'll do on the same warp while I'm at it. 

Thu, 02/19/2015 - 16:55

Kate in Scotland

Dear Cathie,

You note above that you keep/kept extensive notes about each sample. Is that a CoE requirement? Or was that just for your own knowlege / archive?

thanks-

Kate

Fri, 06/26/2015 - 14:18

Erica J

We have several new folks here and I came up with a new idea to share. I have several looms on the go and do have found I don't always keep up with my online documents. So I started attacjing index caeds to each loom. This lets me jot down important information and yarn samples. My thought is these will stay with the sample until final mounting. 

Mon, 06/29/2015 - 05:16

Artistry

Sorry Kate, I haven't been checking in so I didn't see you question until now. I kept probably more notes than I needed too, but I did show the threading and treading for each sample, whether asked for or not, type of material, source, biblio, then the usual sett etc., now I think there is a worksheet you fill out or guidance of what should be included.

Mon, 06/29/2015 - 05:50

Erica J

The CoA requirement is the basic information we should all keep as notes. Yarn type, size, color, sett, on loom and finished measurements, so you can cal ulate appropriately for futureprojects. The WSD also asks you to discuss yojr design process, but it does not hafe to be elaborate.

oh speaking of design, I need to write my article for the Complex Weavers Desogn Study Group, the topic I chose is previous samples as a deaign tool!

Fri, 10/23/2015 - 09:55

Erica J

OK I know myself, I am have tried keeping blank record sheets in the studio, I start filling them out, try to keep them by the loom, and some how they always disappear. I've tried notebooks. My life is such that papers that can get lost will get lost!

So I've devised a new, simple plan. I created one master spreadsheet in which I'm entering all my sample notes. I created a digital notes template and I have set up a mail merge, which puts all the data for each sample in the right spot on the template and creates a new documet for each sample! Once you know how to do it, it is so simple!

I could include the draft in this, by using a more expensive program, I've set this all up in my Google Drive, so no hard drive failures to worry about. But I've noticed my drafts really need to be printed on their own page, so I'll either have 2 pages of notes/draft, or try to duplex them, plus the thicker board the sample will be mounted on. I will get everything printed up for the finished samples soon and I'll post a photo, soon.