It has taken me days to plan an easy project - a table runner. At first, I thought it would be easy. Afterall, it would be just a different sized rectangle. Right?

So many decisions and each one changed the plan. What type of fiber? What dimensions? What size thread? How colors would effect each other? How much of each color is needed? What is needed for the border requiring a different warp?  Arrange the design in large or small blocks? I think that I used 10 sheets of notebook sized scratch paper before I was finished. Now, to move on to the loom.

Have you always used instruction from a pattern? Have you created your own project?

Comments

Sat, 05/14/2016 - 01:47

Artistry

Welcome to the world of designing! 10ashus, it's a huge leap in the understanding of weaving in general ( setts, fibers, etc.) and weaving theory ( how threadings, tie-ups and treadlings work together)  to be able to plan one's own projects and designs. It can be complicated, and it's worth it! Not only can you create something more to your liking, but something that expresses you. Also you can sell it! Not only that, but it will help you to see mistakes in patterns you may see,  be able to look at patterns in books , using them for inspiration, and change them to make them your own. Knowing how to design yourself , to me, is really the next step in weaving from projects from books. ( I do want to say here , that there is nothing wrong with weaving from published projects!) Authors that can help you learn structures to make it easier to design by yourself, Doramay Keesbey, Madelyn van der Hooght. Sorry I'm not at home this summer so can't look in my library. I would say, learn a lot of structures. So that when you think of something you want to design, several structures may come to mind. on the other hand you can learn structure as you go, find what expresses the feeling, ( Strickler is a great pattern book) then using the principles , design!

congrats to you on designing your first project! Don't worry about your 10 pages of " working out" notes, you should see mine:)

Cathie

Sat, 05/14/2016 - 07:49

Erica J

Good on ya!

For the first years of weaving, I always just used pattern directions, though I often made my own yarn choices with varying success.

Now that I have been weaving consistently and with intent for 10 years, I do the whole process on my own from draft to final piece. I am still not the best at taking everything into consideration or making all the decisions up front. My hope is now that I can post all my weaving on Weavolution again this will help me make sure I rememer all the decisions required for each project. :)

Sat, 05/14/2016 - 19:34

Queezle

I remember the first time I sat on the floor, surrounded by cones, and made my first self-designed warp.  It was pretty conservative - stripes - but oh how I loved it.  This is when I learned the value of sampling - making a sample leads to revising colors or proportion, and usually results in something substantially better.  The only downside is that, for me, I end up getting bogged down and make fewer projects if I sample everything. 

I look forward to seeing your designs.

Sat, 05/14/2016 - 22:42

tommye scanlin

Such a daunting journey, facing a loom and so many options... to follow directions and hope someone will lead you... or go off on your own path and see where it leads you. And it so depends!  Yes, the project-planned way might be the way to lead you to a comfortable start.  Then you might take what you've learned there and expand upon that for other yarns, sizes, setts, etc.  Or you might want to take off immediately and see what happens.  One thing to remember always is that there have been many shuttles thrown before.  Lots of mistakes and solutions have arisen from those that get into the pattern-instruction world that you've mentioned. 

My first weaving teacher, Edwina Bringle, gave some advice in my first class:  "Take what you can use and throw the rest away..." -- and I've used her thought consistently for over forty years now and found it to be what I've needed.  Not the "...rest....." of what might be there wouldn't be valuable, important and pertinent later but the point being to get started and move ahead.

Happy weaving adventures to you.  There's nothing like it.  I love it still.

Tommye