Here we are at the turn of another month - I swear it is still the first of July - don't know where the month went. Weave on everyone!

Comments

endorph

on how I wanted to hemmed my bath towels. I want to make sure the hem is secure enough to stand up to repeated use and washing. Even if one is used as a baby blanket it will need to be durable. I like hand hemming my handwovens but am seriously thinking that machine hemming might be the way to go with these. Any thoughts?

ReedGuy

I have not woven much, but I'm glad to be past July. lol August is much nicer part of summer in the north. Especially when you have to work out in it. ;)

theresasc

I have always machine hemmed my towels.  I have some bath towels in 3/2 cotton on one of my looms now and I am planning to machine hem those.  Keep in mind, I am a terrible at sewing by hand.  Maybe if I was any good at it, I would go that way.

Joyce (not verified)

Wednesday after work.  My original plan had me returning home Friday evening but I decided to and was able to extend my stay one more night!  Yay!  It's about a 2 1/2 hr. drive to Milwaukee and I'm so excited to go.  It will be my first Convergence.  Time at the loom has been few and far between since Mid-May but I'm almost finished with my daughter's throw.  It's my first double width project using handspun for weft.  My next project will be a long warp for kitchen towels in twill.  And I'll be using all 8 harnesses for the first time!  My crystal ball tells me I'll be bringing home some yarn for weft from Convergence!

10ashus

Finished weaving dish towel #2. I am getting better control of my time, my grip, and my shuttle. Did about 35 inches today. That is a record weaving length for me. Ready to hem, wet finish, and embroidery.

Ordered my copy of Laura's, Magic in the Water. Spent over an hour to find it. I looked in the Shop and searched the words 'wet finishing'. Finally went to Laura's profile, then to her Web site and got the title for a better search. They do not call me the Tenacious Optimist for nothing.

Planned my Tibetan bag project.

Joined the Color Challenge started in the Color Study group. My mystery envelope with assigned colors will pop out of my mailbox soon.

Queezle

I am gearing up to try out Colourmart's yak-geelong yarn (if you are like me, and have never heard of geelong, it apparently is some sort of merino).  I am doing an oddball point twill that I designed totally on my own, so it might be a disaster.  But time will tell.

I got up into the mountains for the past couple days - up to 10,000 ft elevation - where the nights are downright cold.  It was so wonderful, I took a really long hike and feel tired but my soul refreshed. Got back this morning, but didn't feel like going to work, and so I took apart my mightywolf loom, applied silicone lubricant to the parts that the manufacturer recommends, and then spent this afternoon trying to get my heddles lined up the right way. 

Happy August, everyone.

Queezle

Endorph, what did you decide to do about hemming?  I like the look of hand hemming way more than by machine, but I am so slow!  However, I learned of this great product in a workshop from Robyn Spady.  This product holds the fabric tight before sewing.  I've been using it with machine hemming, but it might also add a bit of security a hand-sewn hem.

I've been giving my mighty wolf some TLC.  I tighted all screws, applied silicone lubricant, and - after 25 years - replaced the cracked side piece for the beater.  When I bought the loom (2nd hand), this piece was replaced, but I just never had gotten around to actually installing it.  It took two of us, as the metal part that the screw engages with was tilted, but we finally got it.  And yesterday I went through all my shafts, cleaning and getting the heddles all pointed the correct way.  It was tedious, but hopefully now its right. 

endorph

I find it relaxing - once the hems are turned and ready to sew. Decided that my hand hemmed dish towels have worn just fine so. . . . I need to follow your example Queezle and clean and lubricatre my Mighty Wolf and tighten up the screws although I tend to do that fairly regularly - at least I check the screws before weaving - just in case

theresasc

Queezle, you will be so happy with your loom now.  I know it is just common sense to do regular maintenance on the looms, as they are a tool, but it is one of those things I let slide too long.  On my Kessenichs there are small, wood caps that come off and have cams that the ropes glide on.  A little drop of oil and all of the sudden the shafts, lift quietly and smooth as silk.  BTW, you should see what android does to Queezle - Queen let!

Queezle

I'm not feeling terribly queenly this morning, but you did give me a good laugh.  Thank you!  And I'm feeling very good about my loom, and anxious to get it up and going.  That colourmart yarn is teasing me, trying to coax me to get moving.

 

theresasc

on the latest tapestry.  I am now at a stand-still because I just cannot decide which way to go color-wise.  I am hoping to have the yarn I find at Convergence make up my mind for me:-)  I have snips of all the colors that I am using and of the ones that I am thinking about using packed in a bag and ready to do color comparison tomorrow.  Here is where I am today:

 

July 2016 started

Queezle, I know about yarn calling out.  Sometimes they are very demanding:-)

Queezle

I love that, theresasc!  The oranges and greens play so nicely together - I look foward to seeing your progress.  I'm sure something lovely will be whispering your name.

jillinaz

I have not had anything on my loom in years. A friend of my daughter and I have been chatting about me weaving a baby wrap. I have no knowledge of this. My weaving has mostly been towels. Has anyone here woven a baby wrap? I would love some help. I have a four harness, six treadle loom with a 36" weaving width. Thanks for any direction you can give :)

 

Queezle

I don't know much about them either -- except that they are popular and expensive!  You can look on ETSY, and search handwoven baby wrap, to get ideas about sizes.  For example:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/206043410/farmers-market-olive-handwoven-baby-wrap?ref=market

The above link is to a cute wrap, and its size is in the details.  Maybe if you looked at some of these, you could learn  the average size, and get inspiration for making your own. 

I've found weavolution to be a wonderfully supportive environment for me to re-enter the weaving world.  I would love to see what you decide to make! 

Artistry

Theresac, gorgeous colors! Love the tapestry you've got going! Better take an extra suitcase to convergence:)

Have fun!

Cathie

Queezle

I've always been a bit nervous working with wool - it is stretchier than cotton, and I worry about stretching it too much, esp when warping under tension.  But I threw caution to the wind, and wound my warp last night.warp on the loom

Gone

Beautiful Queezle! There's something strangely calming about a wound warp with lease sticks. It's the "Ahhhhh".  You'll love wool. My very first projects were in wool. I didn't even know what I was doing, and they turned out just fine. It's the wet finishing and/or fulling that need a little extra care.

10ashus

You brave girl. Blake at Halcyon recommends wool for my Tibetan bag project. Started up my What If anxieties immediately. 

Absolutely looks gorgeous on the loom. 

Queezle

I am generally a messy disorganized person (thought I believe my messy-looking piles hide organized information).  Yet warping allows me to be in touch with my OCD side - getting each strand in place, perfect tension - it is highly satisfying. 

Judy Eataugh, who is a member of my guild, assured me last year that cotton is more difficult than wool.  So I trust her judgement, and will push ahead.  I do have an extra foot of warp for experimentation.  I should probably cut it into pieces and try different finishing??  Today that sounds a long way off, though, and I look forward to taking some time tonight to start threading the heddles.

laurafry

If one googles 'baby wrap dimension' there are quite a few sites where things like standard dimensions are listed.  Depends if she wants a sling type (shortest) or the style of wrapping done.  The longest is 4.8 meters, if I remember correctly, with several shorter ones.  Also depends on whether a straight or tapered end is wanted.  Most wraps have different coloured selvedges so that the wrapper can tie the wrap without twisting it, which can make an uncomfortable 'lump'.  And the centre should be marked in some way so that it is easier to fit and tie.

10ashus

Jillinaz, here is link to a baby wrap ebook. I have not read it, but the company has a good reputation for the books they offer.

http://www.interweavestore.com/handwoven-presents-baby-wrap-ebook

Gone

Just finished my keep it simple towels. Off the loom, washed and ready for hemming. I'm happy with the results. 8/2 warp but I also used 6/2 weft, boucle and cotton/linen and 12/2, the latter turned out gorgeous. I also played with the tieup and treadling on several too. Made some good variations.

Queezle

Tom, those are beautiful!  What is simple about them?  They are fabulous.

theresasc

I have things that can fall into a number of different threads, so I am going to cram them all here:-)

Convergence vendor hall was a just wonderful place to spend a day.  I did find the other colors for my current tapestry.  I am trying a new yarn called Tuna.  Just lovely colors so I used my camera, changed it to black & white and found the colors that I wanted in the range that I needed.  What a great tool to use when confronted with a zillion choices.

I met Erica and Oli and received my color challenge card, which IS going to be challenging - shades of orange!  Yeesh!  I also met Sally Orgren.  It is so nice to put faces to names.

While I was at Convergence, I was trying a few different looms.  Some were too big, some were too small, and one was just right (really big sigh).  Glimakra had a 39" Standard set up to weave on.  What a sweet loom!  It can come in a 10 shaft configuration (haven't I said, no more than eight!) and then in the exhibit there hanging on the wall, was a beautiful piece of cloth woven in a 5-end satin(a bigger sigh!).  I went back on Saturday to check the loom out some more but common sense took over and I just could not pull the trigger and buy it then and there.  It is now on my "I want list".  So to console myself, I bought a bunch more yarn for a project that has been jumbling around in my head for years.  I feel inspired by the woven pieces that I saw at Convergence and have decided to go for it.

So to make a long story short, Convergence 2016 rocked!

sally orgren

The most fun for me was meeting everyone from Weavo in person including Erica and Oliver (briefly, but at last!), Theresasac, Thor, Francine and Mark, and Dogmom1957, to name a few!

Between naps (trying to catch up on my sleep yesterday) I made some sketches for a series I'd like to weave, the working title is "Notes to Self".

The sign of a great conference for me is meeting new people, hearing about new things, and getting inspired to warp a loom the minute I get home. That all certainly happened in Milwaukee at Convergence 2016!

Thor (not verified)

The guys & I descended upon Convergence for a Saturday only Marketplace adventure. I was very hopeful to get to meet more of the Weavolutionaries!   The quality of work shown was astounding (Tien never ceases to amaze!)

I was reasonably responsible with the credit card, too. My "big purchase" was a yardage meter ($60) but my friend, Fred, who recently purchased my Nilus LeClerc had a studio to stock!  He more than made up for my lack of frantic shopping. He got a warping mill, a new bench, an electric bobbin winder, spool of Texsolv, a 20 cone Lunatic Fringe collection, and about another $1,000 in yarn!! It was fun to see him go, go, go!

It was great to connect with so many people who I have only read about or watched their videos. I went all "fan-boy" on Madeline Van der Hoogt (so embarrassing) and when I realized that the nice British lad named Jason who was weaving a rug was a Collingwood...well, I nearly genuflected! Fortunately, they take their "celebrity" in stride.  It was also kind of nice to have a certain level of recognition for just being me! Aside from touching base with past teachers, fellow Weavolutionaries made me (and my group of friends) feel warmly welcomed at Convergence.

Now... To the Studio!!  I have let life get in the way for too long now.

Queezle

Were the location and dates for Convergence 2018 announced?

It sounds like you all had such a great time, I would like to get the next meeting on my calendar early.

And - I'm hoping a color card is coming my way, and that my assigned colors are challenging.  Francine, I can just imagine you with your lovely blush pink colors.  That will be fun. 

And Thor, I cannot imagine helping someone purchase so much weaving equipment.  It would have been thrilling and frightening to me, at the same time.  But by 2018 one child will be out of college, and my relationship with my own earnings might be on better terms

Queezle

Were the location and dates for Convergence 2018 announced?

It sounds like you all had such a great time, I would like to get the next meeting on my calendar early.

And - I'm hoping a color card is coming my way, and that my assigned colors are challenging.  Francine, I can just imagine you with your lovely blush pink colors.  That will be fun. 

And Thor, I cannot imagine helping someone purchase so much weaving equipment.  It would have been thrilling and frightening to me, at the same time.  But by 2018 one child will be out of college, and my relationship with my own earnings might be on better terms

[email protected]

Location and dates were not announced at the meeting but are expected to be available within a month--final negotiations underway with four possible locations--Sacramento, CA; Reno, NV; Knoxville, TN; and Iowa.  The odd year regional offerings also tend to be terrific.  

NEWS (New England Weavers Seminar) is July 13-16 at Smith College in Northampton, MA and MAFA  (MidAtlantic Fiber Association) is July 20-23, 2017 at Millersville University in Millersville (Lancaster Co), PA.  Those are in my normal weekend traveling zone.

Looking up regions farther west, I found ANWG (Association of Northwest Guilds) Conference at the University of Victoria June 28-July 2, 2017.  I aslo realized that Utah is seat of Mary Meigs Atwater Weavers Guild.  Local Guilds participating in regional activities are a great source of information.  SSD also publishes regional events.

Why wait until 2018!

Queezle

I understand that there is an intermountain fiber fair in CO that many members of my guild travel to, and I will certainly consider it.  I have my fingers crossed for Reno - I love that part of NV, as I have lived in Alturas and Canby, CA (good luck finding those in an atlas!).  And I am already signed up for a weaving workshop through my guild - from Anita Meyers.

Francine, we got to hear about the shopping of Thor's friend.  How about you?  Any special new additions to your tools or stash?  Did you love your classes?  What was most amazing about convergence (other than the fine folks at Weavo, of course). 

10ashus

I played with color today. Rewatched part of a video lecure on color. Tried different color ways for a bag and a tote. Picked colors for the tote and ordered materials for the Tibetan bag. 

I will have to look at the tote colors a few days. Neutrals are hard for me to decide. Design and weave a neutral tote is my personal August Challenge.

 

Joyce (not verified)

going all fan club on Madelyn.  The warping competeion between her and Susie was hilarious.  Madelyn was teaching the entire time! I attended the CoE discussion and ended up buying the guide book as a means to expand my weaving boundaries.  I did splurge on a handwoven jacket made by Liz Spear so there wasn't much left for yarn.  The 2018 locations will all put me within easy travelling distance to visit family so I'm already planning for the next Convergence.

Queezle

I am working on a scarf and I'm none too happy with its progress.  I am using this 2/14 yak-geelong in several shades of red, purple, and brown.  I cut off a sample ~ 6 inches, and gently hand washed it.  I was astounded at how much it fulled, and at how nice and soft it is.  But given the amount it fulls, I decided I needed a lighter touch with the beater. 

The problem I am having is making my beat even.  I find myself re-weaving almost every pick, and squeezing the beater ever so very gently. 

If any of you have advice on how to maintain a uniformly light beat, I would appreciate hearing it.

thanks.

theresasc

Whenever I have woven with wool or a delicate fiber, I have done a couple of things.   I figured out what I need as ppi and marked an index card with 1/4" increments and measured and counted picks.  I did not beat as much as gently press the weft into place.  I have to actually take deep breaths as I weave to maintain these gentle weaving actions.  I generally weave with a lot of force and tend to weave under high tension and beat hard so I really have to keep myself calm and my movements easy.  I end up finding it really pleasurable to weave this way.  Of course I usually have to put something I can beat the daylights out of when I am done - LOL.  Calm and gentle are the keys for me.

Queezle,  that is a beautiful warp and I can imagine how gorgeous the finished piece will be.

Patsiemakes (not verified)

I have not woven anything now for some time (well at least 2 months) but am in the process of spinning single ply warp from Border Leicester, Blue Texel fleeces and some Jacobs roving for a piece of cloth on my 60" 4 shaft Countermarch loom (to make a waistcoat).  I think it will be close woven plain weave as all the materials are prewashed but I will have to size the warp.  First time for me on this loom so I will have to look up how to sectional warp.

sally orgren

I am still dealing with conference follow up and photos today, and I have to rapidly switch gears to the state fair, which started last Friday. I am demoing this weekend, and working to thread a loom for others to weave on each evening around other obligations. The Nadeau will also be accompanying me, along with Inky.

10ashus

Sally, you may have solved a problem I had. My friend coordinates programs for the library. She asked me could I do a one hour program teaching people how to weave. I sputtered and stammered. We agreed I could not. Did I mention I have only made 1 thing worth keeping?

But. I could set up my rigid heddle loom for a few hours. Demo and let people try it. That I can do. Anyone done something like this? Before committing myself and my loom, is there anything I should consider?

sally orgren

If you love weaving and are willing to let people try it on a loom, that is oftentimes enough!

I like to bring guild brochures or Weavo postcards, and be able to direct folks to local and online resources if they want to learn more.

pollock1126

Hi Everyone, I hope I am doing this correctly.  I am brand new to the group. I am also realatively new to weaving.  I am purchasing my very first floor loom, used of course but that's just fine with me.  I am buying an Artisat 4 Harness Leclerc loom.  I should have it on the 21st of this month when hubby and I drive from our home here in New Hampshire to Lawrence Massachusetts to pick my new baby up.  The loom looks to be complete and in good shape but honestly I know very little about the anatomy of a floor loom.  It looks like nothing a little TLC can't fix.  It has been sitting in a basement unloved since the owner passed away in 2010.  Daughter-in-law couldn't bring herself to sell it until now.  I'm paying $399.00 for it, hope that is a good price for it.  

Anyway, I currently weave tapestry with a Mirrix Zach 22" loom and for smaller pieces I use my Mirrix Loreli 5" loom. I also have a 26" Lost Pond Loom that I love weaving on as well.  I am finding that looms are something like potato chips... once you have one you want more! I have a Louet S10 original spinning wheel and love spinning lace weight yarns.

Well, I'm babbling now so... just wanted to introduce myself... living in rural New Hampshire I am really in need of some weaving sisters (and brothers) to chat with...

Hugs for now all...

Beth P

10ashus

Discovered new reasons for learning and practicing how to join strips today. Equipping my rigid heddle to double weave would cost about $80. For now, my hobby budget is best spent on threads and yarns for the myriad of projects in my head.

Hello, Beth. This is the place for motivation and commiseration. Glad you joined us.

Joyce (not verified)

off the loom.  It's double width using my handspun 50/50 Llama/Merino blend and a commercial wool for warp.  I had sleyed the last 2 ends at the fold, 1/dent, but it caused the fold to be too loose.  Must have been too timid when I was placing the weft.  Oh, well, Tonight I'll handweave in 2 more warp threads at the fold to fix it. 

SusanBH

Enjoy your new loom.  I look forward to seeing what you create with it!

Dawn McCarthy

I finished a run of network twill scarves on the AVL before it left to it's new home, I am half way through a rep weave runner for my kitchen on the big Glimakra and set up the baby "ideal" in my new location - project yet to be determined.

Thor (not verified)

Caught up on sleep & caffeinated...I spent a wonderful evening in the studio. I have measured out the warp for a shoulder wrap/shawl that has been donated to our employee catastrophic event fund. My administrator won it and she has been expressing child-like enthusiasm with each step of the design process. I think she has impeccable taste. I have the warp loaded into the raddle and am waiting on extra hands to help me wind on tomorrow. It will be done using Rayon Crinkle in black & white with the attached draft (minus the tabby border).

I took the opportunity to also warp up my Glimäkra Emelia rigid heddle in a log cabin of purple & white. The first scarf of many in preparation for an upcoming pre-holiday craft sale with my sister. It felt so good to be creating again! Why? Why do I let myself get so distracted by life that I put aside the very things in life that I love doing?

loomyladi (not verified)

So, after meeting the fabulous Oliver & Erica I have to recommit myself to spending more time here on Weavolution.  I know that I saw many of you in passing at Convergence, but managed to miss the meet up.  IF you stopped by Purrington Looms we probably spoke (except for Saturday when I took an Inkle weaving class).  A fabulous time!!!!  We just returned from WI two days ago as we took an extended vacay and explored northern WI.  I'm excited to have some new projects to work on, born from meetups at Convergence.  I've sketched a couple of new projects out and did I mention I'm getting a "new to me" loom.  For the record, I have a 60" 16H AVL that is not yet up and running, BUT we could not resist and we are off to Maine to pickup an original Purrington Drawloom.  We had seen photographs in the past and knew that Rollo had made one or two.  Apparently this is either one of the known or perhaps a third loom.  It is an 8H counterbalance with 32 shaft draw.  Can I get it setup in time to make Christmas weavings????  That is my challenge to myself.

Erica J

Well other than successfully falling in love with tapestry in my Convergence class with JoAnne Hall. I haven't done much in the way of weaving.

Convergence was amazing. I'll share one fan girl story here. We chatted with Tim from Harrisville Designs everyday at Convergence, he is such a nice guy! I was at our booth on Friday and this gentlement walks up and says, "I heard you all are from England, what part are you from?" He had a distinctly English accent, so I started explaining we grew up in the US, but like in the UK now. While I'm talking I see his name tag says Jason. I look down to read his surname and literally scream "Oh my God you're Jason Collingwood!" 

He, being very English, says "Yes, I am. I am here demonstrating at the Harrisville booth! I took a deep breath and continued on in an attempt at calm, cool, and collected while on the inside I wanted to gush about how aside from my mother, his father was my first weaving teacher. I have learned so much from Peter's books and admire Jason's weaving to no end.

OK more Convergence wrap up in the newsletter and more weaving from me hopefully later today. :)

Joanne Hall

Yes, Jason is at each convergence and one of his goals is to weave a rug, so he is weaving all day, every day during Convergence.    One time, their booth was right beside ours and so he was there weaving right next to us.

Joanne

Joanne Hall

The Artisat is a great loom to get started with floor loom weaving.  Plan a simple project like a few towels, a scarf or a similar project so that you can learn about your loom.  Cotton and wool are both good for learning. 

The instruction book which came with your loom when it is new is on the Leclerc website.  There you will also find assembly instructions and a diagram with information about parts.  Leclerc looms are very good for beginners.

I wrote a book on planning projects and warping and it would be a good one to get, Learning to Warp your Loom, $20.  You can order it from where ever you get supplies, The Woolery, Yarn Barn, etc. 

If you want to replace the tie-up cords for your treadles, get Texsolv and 12 arrow pegs, one peg for each treadle cord.

Enjoy your loom.

Joanne 

Queezle

I've been playing with a yak-geelong warp, and very unhappy with the result when I used the other colors of yak-geelong that came in the set from colourmart - not enough difference in value for my pattern to show.  So I carefully unwove the yak-geelong, and played with my other yarns.  I think I've found it...Trio of twill with lavendar bamboo weft

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