Welcome to June. June is coming in wet and stormy here in Texas. The humidity would make it a great time to be weaving on linen! Laughing Here's hoping everyone has a productive month of weaverliness. I am looking forward to seeing all the goodness you produce. Weave on!

Comments

Queezle

Where did the spring go?  Here in Utah we've had delightfully cool and rainy weather, but rumor has it that the usual heat and dry is on its way.  I used my mother's day warp to weave a 60-inch table runner for my neice for a wedding gift (shadow weave).  I thought I had corrected all my threading errors, but it was only after the finishing process that I spotted a place where I had omitted 2 threads.  Oh well, its a complicated pattern and would take a fine eye to detail to spot that error. 

I continue to think about weaving myself a table cloth.  I want to play with some warp painting, also.  Maybe combine the two??

Happy weaving everyone.

laurafry

Don't know how much weaving I'll get done this month as I have a hectic teaching schedule.  If anyone will be at Olds Fibre Week, come say hi!

theresasc

much weaving lately. This morning I was tired of my tapestry loom taunting me and since I haven't sold it, decided to weave on it.  I put together a geometrical design and have started weaving it.  I think this will be better for me than a pictorial design.  Time will tell.

Joyce (not verified)

for my daughter.  I'm using a commercial wool yarn for the warp and the weft is a llama/merino blend I spun over the course of 3 years. It's going to be one warm blanket! The month of May didn't allow for much time at my floor loom but I did weave on a pin loom while spending hours in the car.  

SusanBH

Now that summer is coming my work schedule is slowing down and I have the time to enjoy my looms.  I'm still working on baby blankets on the 8 shaft loom.  My neice's baby was born in May and I was able to cut one of the blankets off and finish it for her.  The rest is just for fun, and to see how different weft colors look.  On the 4 shaft loom I'm working on a name-draft table runner for a nephew who is getting married in July. It's 5/2 perle cotton pattern weft on 10/2 perle cotton tabby, and I put enough warp on to have space for sampling with some wool pattern weft as well. 

Artistry

Weaving is still out for me - the tendinitis is proving to be quite stubborn. Can't warp or throw a shuttle very well either. But will be able to teach my cousin in law to weave, I think. So I'm looking at these tantalizing colors for the baby blankets, all I can say is they will be very well designed:)

Very excited! Next week I go to Vermont, for the Masterclass with Rebecca Metzoff, Tapestry Weaver Supreme ! On what? Color and Design! I've spoken to her about not weaving and that's fine with her. We'll be working with values, color, images I've collected for Masai Dissapearing.  I'm also taking Patagonia because I'm right at the beginning of weaving that piece and changes can be made to that too. It would be great to get a critique of that design !

i've decided to take the whole summer off from weaving and let my wrist Heal. If the acupuncture doesn't heal it, it's back to the hand dr./ surgeon.

I'm doing a bit of sketching:)

I have learned my lesson though, no more than 3 hrs of tapestry a day, just a couple of times a week. With tons of stretching. Hands are too valuable to screw up:)

does anyone else do stretching before weaving? Use braces ? Weave one handed ? Any tips would be appreciated!

Cathie

 

Artistry

Laura,

One of my friends who's taking the Olds program in the States , was in Michigan last week and came over with her sample book from her week of instruction! It was so much fun to see. She had the fulling exercises at different setts, very interesting. What I loved though were the woven value excercises, plain weave and twill in grey. I will do these on my own. She also talked about the overwhelmed feeling about Thursday(?) and I thought, AHA, Laura's description of the "glazed look" . The class was taught by Jean Currie (?) , from Alberta. I'm wondering if you know each other? My friends loved her! 

They are so much happier doing this program than the COE. They all feel they are getting more guidance and not as rushed, though the course , as you know, is demanding, deadlines, and such. Two of them are intermediate weavers, I would say, and 1 an advanced beginner( quick learner) . I think they are at perfect stages to tackle this. 

I can't wait to see what comes next year when they move into cotton!

Cathie

laurafry

Yes, I have known Jean for a number of years. She is one of the course designers.  :).  

It it is an intense class because we are trying to convey the principles, get the student to see and think about the variables and the end function of the cloth.  All necessary if the craft is to truly thrive and grow.  IMHO!

Erica J

Your discussion of the Olds Program really make me want to be able to do it. It might be possible some day soon, we'll see. I didn't get to weav today, but I get a bit of time at the drawloom the last few nights. Last night my weaving went really smooth and rhythimcally, that is my favorite.

laurafry

Currently in Edson, AB waiting to see if the skies open and dump.  At least it looks like a smallish storm.  Maybe by the time I'm done drinking my coffee!

sally orgren

I am back from my magical trip to Scotland!

We hiked nearly 100 miles of the West Highland Way for eight days, then did a bit or motoring about before heading home. Although not originally on our agenda, it was convenient to stop at Stirling Castle, and I am so glad we did! I got to see the recreated Unicorn Tapestries and learn about the weavers charged with re-intrepreting them.

Here is what a "sample" looked like:

And here they are when finished, displayed in the Queen's room:

It was a 13 year project, undertaken by 18 weavers affiliated with West Dean Tapestry Studio in the south of England. The dyeing was completed by Katharine Swailes.

Queezle

The tapestries impress, but also the long trek.  It must have been like magic, and thank you so much for posting the photos.

sally orgren

And it still looked wonderful and very Harry Potter-ish!

Artistry

Sally, thank you so much for the fantastic photo of the tapestry. Wow! How exciting! Also for the sample, I love to see the techniques used !

sounds like a great trip ! Continue to have fun:)

Cathie

theresasc

Cool and wet today, not a nice day to play outside so I've been sitting at the tapestry loom.  I am pleasantly surprised at how well it seems to be going.

 

 

 

laurafry

Well, another workshop done and dusted.  And the weather is lovely. So I'm hoping for a beautiful drive home tomorrow.  No pictures...too busy talking I guess.  ;)

Queezle

My brother is a collector, and he recently showed me this very cute band.  While I like the band itself, what really caught my eye was how the warp was handled at the end.  So cute! 

My brother thinks scandanaian, but my hunch is south american - any opinions out there?

Artistry

Queezle, love, love, the new profile:) I don't know about the band , but it does look like something I would have seen in Peru,  it's so interesting. That's just a guess. There is an ethnic textile group on Weavolution which may help you out. 

Count down to Vermont ! Tapestry design ( values , color! ) I'm taking a duplicate of Patagonia for critique and probably Reworking some. Plus the next one in the series. 12 in the class ! In fact I feel like I'm taking half off my studio, lol! 

Theresasc the tapestry looks great! Really like the addition of the dark green with the violets ! 

theresasc

sure on the origin of the band either, but I like it.  I wonder if the ends are a talisman of some sort, or just for fun.  Either way, it is really cool

Cathie - have fun with the workshop.  That should be a fabulous experience.  I love Rebecca's use of color so I think her yarns are going to be just gorgeous.  Have a great trip!

I like the green with the shades of violets too:-)  As on my avatar, it is the colors of my favorite iris.  Those colors keep popping up in my weaving, I very rarely wear them, but I weave them.  I did rework the small diamond this morning, I like it better now.

Queezle

You all are still making me envious about the summer weaving conferences and workshops!

I am having a no-weaving week (other than virtual weaving).  Cathie - thanks for the comment on the photo, its a bit scary to put ones face up there. 

After much talking, my brother also dug up from his stash an old Indian Dupatta, undoubtedly woven with gold thread.  antique dupatta, gold thread Its woven with a very find doubleweave, as the blue threads on the front form a finely woven, and very open, weave on the back.  An elegant solution to potentially very long floats. 

Queezle

antT

In this photo, I am trying to capture the front and the double-weave back. 

Erica J

Wow Queezle!! Gorgeous fabrics.

Are both colors in the warp, or is it possible pick up, with one color being in the warp and the other color in the weft? I can't quite tell.

I got a few inches woven on TJ's scarf, which will compliment Oli's scarf, same warp, different lift and weft. :)

Artistry

Wow Queezle, that's a fabulous textile! What's the story behind it? How did your awesome brother find it? Thanks for posting , I will enjoy looking at this textile for a long time!

profile pic, yeah, I think I'm soon, getting so over those blue and green dyed strands of mine:)

I've been working my tail off getting ready for the workshop. I was reproducing by hand the full scale cartoon of the tapestry. Then I had a true head slap moment! I could take this to FedEx office and they would make large scale copies, lol! Now I'm making yarn sample cards of what I'm potentially using, so many yarns ! Of course it would be faster if I didn't sit there and start analizing the color interactions! that's what the workshop is for. I take more stuff when I design then when I weave! Seriously! 

Also , Rebecca has a background of something like physical therapy( maybe occupational therapy? ) . I plan to ask her to look at the motion, twisting in particular, height etc. of my good hand when I weave tapestry. Maybe she has suggestions as to how I can prevent injury in the future. I'm hoping! 

 Thanks, Theresac :)

Erica J

Best of luck on your workshop Cathie.

I have 36" of damask woven now! Yeah I'm hoping to finish the 50" I need in the next week or so! Wish me luck.

endorph

the fabric is gorgeous. Thanks for the close up photos.

Good luck with the workshop Cathie. Take care of your wrist!

Everyone is so busy - I'm impressed. Weave on all!

Sue in VT

Queezle, your fabric is stunning.  LOVE the very close-up.....its those small color details and placements that I love.  Are you being inspired to recreate those colors in a tablecloth!?  And Cathie Beckman, it was tendinitis as well as arthritis in my thumbs/wrist that turned me from knitter to weaver!  I was given advice to avoid motions that resemble hand sewing (so hand finishing towels I do in increments) and my stretching includes repeats of opening and extending fingers widely several times before weaving, AND frequent breaks, so I don't fill more than one bobbin at a time.  I stop, refill a bobbin, make tea, whatever between weaving times.  Also have a wrist brace that I only use when I'm experiencing pains (it just reminds me I have to go easy).  Patience-proceed forward with care!  Sounds like you have a rich weaving life, so you can back off more easily than I could.

laurafry

Just off the loom.  Yet to be wet finished.  Colour in foreground isn't accurate but background is pretty close. 

sally orgren

Inky went to Scotland, too! Here we are, visiting Cally Booker's studio in Dundee.

 

I met Cally "virtually" here at Weavo in the early days. She posted an amazing pair of pants made from handwoven fabric under the project pages that caught my eye.

 

Forward to summer of 2010. I am standing on a street corner in Albuquerque, New Mexico for Complex Weavers/Convergence conferences, when I look down at the curb to cross the street and there are THE PANTS, standing next to me!

 

We have crossed paths at subsequent conferences since, but never in my wildest dreams did I imagine Inky & I would get to see her studio in Dundee.

 

There is at least one more floor loom out of the frame, and I loved the professional way she hung her samples for display.

 

laurafry

Kerstin and I loved meeting Cally in real life, too.  :)  She had recently moved into her studio - it's been fun watching it evolve via photos on Weavo and her blog.  :)

 

Havingfun

My 1960's one owner 20", 4 shaft Kessenich table loom is almost ready to go. All that's left is to install the new aprons and apron rods, make a rattle, and wait for the new 12 dent reed. Can't wait! Meanwhile I'm consoling myself with my two rigid heddle looms. 

It would be great if there was a table loom group and a four shaft group. I'm too much a newbie to manage one. Just dreaming.....

Susanne

Queezle

Laura Fry - that fabric is amazing - so much movement in it!

My amazing brother purchases items from estate sales, and then sells them on ebay.  He has slowly purchased a few fabrics, and we worked together on figuring out what he had.  The dupatta is very amazing.  Double weave, one gold warp and a blue warp.  That blue warp is brought up into the top layer for the blue features, and a slightly different gold was used as weft.  The blue layer was also woven, but less densely as the top, and with a blue weft.  The supplemental fringe (not in good shape) was made with a thicker and heavier gold thread.  These are used like shawls in india, and the ornate ones are very ceremonial.  This one appears old and very well made, it will be interesting to see if he can get real $$ for it.

 

laurafry

What a 'scattered' day!

I had a hard time getting in gear this morning, then finally made it to the studio, worked on class handouts for Olds, then went to cone skeins and my 'back up' Silver Needles (that still works) had a cracked case so I was leery about using it.  I *think* we can just swap out the case on the one that officially died last week, but figured I'd better check with Head of Maintenance first.  (I can't afford to pay him so he gets Titles!)

Stymied, I looked around the very messy studio, decided I couldn't cope with anything much and figured I would try to finish off the proto-type scarf warp.  Just cut that off - just need to fringe twist and wet finish (say it fast, it sounds easy and quick!)

DH is off pressing so I will soon have more towels to hem - just when I'd got the rest done!

Just had a bowl of cherries for a snack, trying to decide what to do next.  Beaming the next proto-type warp sounds like a plan - except that the work table is covered with a dozen skeins of yarn to be coned and the cone winder.  Guess I'll have to clear that off first...

OTOH, I have library books that can't be renewed.  Perhaps an hour or two of reading is in order?

Artistry

I think you may allow yourself to read Laura:)

Queezle that is so  interesting about the piece. I love it. I hope to travel to India.

I'm in Vermont:) too great!

Erica J

Well I did not pass my certificate assessment, which is a disappointment. But the more I think about it the more I realize how much I have learned. I have gone from a one trick pony (twill, twill, twill) to exploring taquete and samitum and finally getting my drawloom set up!

I don't have my report back yet, but from the quick rundown over the phone with the coordinator, I think I'm just not at a good point in my life to persue this. My son is not the kid that sleeps 14 hours, he stopped napping at 18 months and I'm honestly not willing to give up anymore time with him for this type of thing.

So I'm focusing on what I personally gained and looking forward to beign back in the habit of photographing my work and actually being able to share photos with you all!

Thank you all for your support through this process and putting up with the text only versions of what I've been weaving! :)

theresasc

weaving knowledge I have no doubt that when the time is right for you, you will pass with flying colors.  I am impressed with the time and effort that you devoted to the certification and do not see it as any kind of loss or failure on your part.  It has been great hearing about all the different structures that you expored.  Your son is only going to be young once, and these years are such a hoot with kids so enjoy him and weave what you want.  I always look forward to seeing what is on your looms:-)

Erica J

Thank you theresasc. We enjoyed a great family day out, along with picking up my submission. TJ has definintely been a real hoot today.

I definintely learned a lot and found some great new techniques that I would not have otherwise learned. I am happy with my progress as a weaver these last few years and ultimately that is the only standard I need to meet. I will definitely move on to those things that have been intriguing me, but did not quite fit into the syllabus and enjor many more explorations to come. I am excited to chart my own course now!

I also made a great new friend in a lady who submitted and successfully passed the spinning syllabus. We have only chatted for maybe and hour and a half total in person, but are firm friends and have connected on Facebook and all!

Watch out folks, there are a ton of photos coming at you over the next few weeks as I weave up as much as I can before I am away from my looms for a month! :)

Erica J

So we all know weft faced weaving goes at it's own pace. I did get a bit of weaving in today, well about .5" which was well over 10 minutes. :)

Here is my progress on the rug I am weaving for our kitchen. The cranberry to match our stove/hob and kitchen tiles and they grey to contrast,  and compliment our stone colored floor rather than to directly match the tiles. I've also gone for rectangles rather than mimicking the squares in the tiles.

cranberry and grey 2 block taquete

These are not my best selvedges, but after finishing up my studies with warp faced samples, they evened out quite quickly and I think I will be able to block it fairly evenly.

endorph

It has been fun hearing about your certification journay and disappointing that you did not pass but I am looking forward to seeeing your samples! I love your attitude.

SusanBH

I'm disappointed for you; I know you've been working very hard to get your submission ready. I have been toying with the idea of doing the CoE or the Boston Weaver's Guild ratings program, but I'm not convinced I need the credentialling documents if my goal is to weave for enjoyment.  I hope the report provides some good feedback for you to build on, and that the weaving you continue to do brings you joy.

Queezle

I've not really looked at what the CoE takes to pass, and Erica, I'm sorry that this try didn't work.  But as others have said, its the journey, and you've learned so much, right?  And ultimately, its the learning that is the true goal, not some other person's judgement about what you've achieved.

Erica J

Thanks everyone. I do want to clarify that I studied the UK Weavers, Spinners, and Dyers Certificate of Achievement, which is similar to HGA's Certificate of Excellence, but there are differences.

Queezle, I completely agree that my own learning was always the goal and I have suceeded at that! I also agree that someone else's judgement of my work is not as important as my own judgement of it!

10ashus

Our Attitude is the only thing we truly control in our entire life. Erica, you have earned the official Attitude Certificate of Achievement !

10ashus

In June, I am seeking a cause that I can weave items for donation.  I own a 16 inch rigid heddle. Any suggestions for needed items,  pattern instructions, organizations, or general advice?

Artistry

If you have a food store or something like that, sometimes they take scarves for the poor to help them stay warm. Don't know where you live.

Erica J

10ashus,

You are too right! Thank you for your kind words!

Happy weaving,

Erica

Havingfun

i live in San Francisco, a city where there are thousands of homeless. in fact, other cities send their homeless here with one way bus tickets. I've become quite jaded but I will give money to older women who aren't drunk or high, and I'll buy coffee and a bagel for someone who is pushing all their belongings in a shopping cart and is obviously mentally ill. 

at food banks there are people who go through three and four times and then sell what they got. People panhandling with only a backpack aren't homeless. 

I recommend finding an organization that serves foster kids and those who age out of that system. Make age appropriate styles that kids would like and wear. Those kids need everything they can get. This is just my opinion. 

sally orgren

was yesterday (Monday), and we turned in the results of our Cuyler's Color Challenge. Cuyler said she handed out 31 color cards, and I think we had 23 participants share their results at the meeting. Here is just a small sampling:

 

 

Sandy H started with some towel kits to get inspired about her target colors, then branched off into multiple projects on her own.

 

We should have given prizes! Categories could have included the number pieces made, the most variety of techniques, the best intrepretation of the colors, etc. It was a great year-long challenge. Thanks Cuyler - we can't wait to see what you come up with for next year!

Erica J

What a great challenge Sally. The challenge itself was a great idea, well done and inspired some amazing work. I have run across the idea of using color chips for inspration in colors for weaving and must admit this looks like a great idea for my own color studies in our Color Study Group! It is also good to know this was a year long challenge as I have been contemplating setting a personal timeline for my current color study. I think a year sounds quite reasonable. :)

Queezle

I would just love to do a challenge like this - you clearly have a fun and active guild. I think you implied that some didn't get done (31 color cards handed out, 23 projects done) - almost 75% participation seems really good to me.

Group Audience