Because we're three days into September and nobody's started a new thread yet...I did!

My big news for the week is...I HAVE A PUBLISHER!!! I just got a contract from Schiffer Publishing for my book, now retitled "Dream It, Make It! Design Strategies for Crafting Masterpieces". I had just finished the revised proposal and sent it to them...didn't hear back for a week...was a bit worried and then yesterday, bam! a contract arrives on my doorstep.

I still need to discuss some items with them, but I'm super psyched.

And, in other news, I have now finished sleying all 2800 threads. I am now working on getting the two warps properly lined up and tied on, a process which promises to be both complicated and tedious. There are color changes that need to be lined up, plus the warp is not perfectly aligned coming off the warp beam, so I need to tie on, roll the warp forward to get to the place where it is coming off the warp beam evenly, and then roll it back. And then line up the two warps so the color changes line up correctly. I expect it will take me a few days to make that work.

And what are the rest of you up to?

Comments

Wed, 09/17/2014 - 04:44

Thor (not verified)

I wish I knew how to post pics here to show ya'll. I almost exclusively use an iPhone or iPad so perhaps that might be the issue. I will see about transferring these pics to a PC and see if the "post a pic" option is available there. In studio with my student and we are both just cranking away. Great conversation and really thoughtful questions from him about structures, color blending, etc. He's got a good head for weaving! The Tennessee night is mild tonight, right around 74' F so we've got the studio (read: garage) door wide open and we are weaving to the songs of crickets.
Wed, 09/17/2014 - 05:00

sarahnopp (not verified)

Tien- sock looms are glorified spool knitters :)

Wed, 09/17/2014 - 06:54

Thor (not verified)

He decided that he wanted to use my Miss Bab's (hand dyed superwash merino sock yarn) from my stash.  My bad!  I told him he could select whatever appealed to him.  Apparently the colors will go very nicely with a jacket he owns.  He also decided that he really wanted to give twill a try.  So, I let him leaf through a few books on twill and he selected the Dornic Twill.  The pattern will definately show up more if the colors were of a higher contrast...but he is happy with how it's coming out.  He says the color is the primary focus and the patterning is more secondary and really is only appreciated by being close to it (which would be him as he will be wearing it). Regardless, since there is enough of the yarn to do a second scarf...he is going to weave it again and switch the yarns for the warp & the weft to see how that changes the overall look of the finished scarf.  I love his inquisitive mind!

Again, it's his first project on a multi-shaft loom so we are experiencing "learning opportunities" along the way.  I am so proud of him!  I love sharing weaving and seeing that light get brighter as things occur to him, discovery & understanding blossoming as he progresses.

Dornic Twill

Wed, 09/17/2014 - 06:50

Thor (not verified)

While my student was busying himself with his first scarf, I was cranking out my Shawl Experiment.  It's progressing nicely.  I can't wait to see what it's going to look like off the loom and finished.  I already think it's going to need some tweaking for the next one to be even better... but happy, happy, happy!Handweaving.net Draft# 61152

Wed, 09/17/2014 - 16:19

theresasc

has been to finish one of the rag place mats.  I now know that I will have enough fabric to finish the set.  Sometimes my math does get the better of me:-)

Thor, great projects going on in your studio.  I like the look of Dornic twill, years ago I wove a scarf in stripes of chenille in Dornic twill and it had a great look.  Your shawl looks really fine as well, looking forward to the finished piece.

 

Wed, 09/17/2014 - 20:59

ReedGuy

I receieved "Keep me Warm one Night" today. That book is huge and hard cover. It is maybe more significance to me than to others, since it was about weaving traditions in the Maritimes (NB, NS, and PEI). Anyway, was waiting for the opportunity to snag a nearly pristine copy, and I must say the book is in excellent shape. :)

Thu, 09/18/2014 - 00:59

Artistry

ReedGuy, How funny, I just got Keep Me Warm One Night this week too! Mine has a corner that looks like it got chewed by a dog, but I knew that going in and the price was great, no pages damaged. I love that book! Thor, The pics are great. Your student is doing well. Stitching away on this tapestry so it will hang right for this display system. Has to be done tomorrow. Going out of town this weekend for a world music festival in Indiana , it's always amazing !
Thu, 09/18/2014 - 02:22

tommye scanlin

Happy stitching fingers to you!  I'm using my own stitching fingers these days as I finish up the stones piece. 

Tommye

Thu, 09/18/2014 - 08:26

ReedGuy

Yes, great book. One correction however, it isn't about Maritime weaving, but eastern Canada. To many, eastern Canada is Ontario and Quebec. And this is evident in the book. The pieces or drafts included from NS or PEI in the book seem like an afterthought. :/

Thu, 09/18/2014 - 09:17

Artistry

I was wondering about that ReedGuy, that is shortsighted.I haven't settled down with the book yet, too much darn stitching. I have a beautiful coverlet that was made for a trousseau for my family from the 1800's. I f I have time today will take a pic. Both my families settled in Canada before the Civil war in Ontario from Scotland. I have hopes that I might see some of the patterning in the book similar to the coverlet. NB, NS,PEI, some of the prettiest places around:) no doubt full of important historical weaving too that should be documented. Tommye, I have thought of you so much these last few days ! My stitching is NOTHING compared to what you have to do with the Stones that just came off the loom last week!
Fri, 09/19/2014 - 15:51

Artistry

Can't get pix up :( Off to the music festival :)
Fri, 09/19/2014 - 18:08

ReedGuy

My double end bobbin winder arrived today along with linen and cottolin yarns and a lace weave book. Waiting for one more lace weave book to arrive. :)

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 23:51

tien (not verified)

Congrats ReedGuy on the acquisitions!

I have made no progress on the weaving front, but much progress on the book. Quite a few master craftspeople have agreed to doing interviews, many quite well known (Kaffe Fassett, for example). I have eight interviews teed up already, which is about a quarter of the total number I intend to do. I need to reach out to some more people, but I am feeling really good about the project so far.

Plans for this weekend are to see if the knitting machine motor can be fixed, conduct two interviews (one with our very own Tommye Scanlin!), and make two kinds of pear jam and a few types of quince jam.

If the knitting machine motor can't be fixed, then I'm looking at the grim prospect of knitting 20,000 yards of yarn manually. I'll do it if I have to, but I really hope I don't have to!

Sat, 09/20/2014 - 15:54

Erica J

I finished winding 22" of warp, started on my taquete sample and got Halloweave ready to go!

I hope some of you have been thinking about Halloweave Houses you might lead. If you have an idea head on over to the groups page and Create your Halloweave House today!

Sat, 09/20/2014 - 16:22

pammersw

I just counted on Thursday evening and realized my 8H Pendleton has 12 treadles, not 10! I'll only be using 2 for my first project on it, though,  the last of the plain weave scarves.

Sat, 09/20/2014 - 19:02

endorph

with my spinning group. We meet once a month and usually learn something new but today was just a spinning day. It was nice to spenf sometime chatting and spinning and of course enjoying some fine munchies!

I have set up the Active Arachnids 2014 group for Halloweave. The cahllenge is for us to do something weaverly everyday in the month of October. This group - Dily Weaverliness - grew out of the original Active Arachnids group. Come join in the fun.

Sat, 09/20/2014 - 21:44

ReedGuy

Those extra treadles will expand the possibilities. :)

Sun, 09/21/2014 - 01:47

igelheim (not verified)

Hi all- I would really value some input. I 've been weaving about 4 years on a used (40 year old) 36" 4 shaft Norwood I bought. I want to move up to a 45" 8 shaft. I have narrowed it down to the LeClerc Nilus, because of some of the features like the weighted beater and the rear hinged treadles or the AVL primarily because of the side tie up. I am a "woman of a certain age" (but I look mahvvahlous ;->) and find it hard to get back up from doing the tie ups. Pros and cons of each please?

Sun, 09/21/2014 - 17:06

Erica J

Yes I inaevertently wove it face down. Now I know better! :)
Sun, 09/21/2014 - 17:18

pammersw

Nice, Erica!

Crop a portion of it with your face and the weaving, and you'd have a cool new avatar!

Sun, 09/21/2014 - 21:15

Artistry

You've all been so busy! A girl can't go away for 2 days without missing the whole party! Tien, I sure hope you don't end up knitting all that! I wonder if you could rent a knitting machine? Erica , like the design of your design of your taquete. Ok for me since I played hookey over the weekend tomorrow early, early, I have to get those darn rings (3) sewn on the back top so the piece will conform with the exhibits hanging system. Doesn't sound like a big deal but they are slippery devils and you gotta sew with a curved needle with which I'm not adept. Then scurry to UPS to have them build me a box so it can arrive between Tuesday and Friday this week at the exhibit site. Cutting it close. This week I'm starting to paint my warp! I'm so excited! Plus a friend gave me a beautiful piece of limestone, so I guess I'll have to learn how to carve that:)
Sun, 09/21/2014 - 21:51

Artistry

Igelheim, I have two LeClerc's , one a Nilus 4 shaft, and 5 ft. Gobelin style tapestry loom. I also have an AVL 24 Shaft Compudobby. I know they aren't the looms you're talking about but I wanted to talk about staying power and customer service a bit. I've had the Nilus since 1968 and you can add some years onto that because I got it used. It is a workhorse. I have never had one problem with it, it's solid as a rock. The Gobelin Tapestry Loom, is the same, solid, great gears. The AVL is a dream machine, once you have it set up right, now this is mine. All the heddles need to be balanced accurately on the shafts. Which I know should be but some looms are more forgiving than others! Sometimes it will give me other small troubles easily fixed, but when this loom is working well, everything is balanced, weaving is a joy! Customer service. I have found customer service at LeClerc atrocious. I have only had to talk to them about the Gobelin after I added shafts and treadles and was having problems. They were no help at all, could not( not would not but could not) tell me the basic trouble shooting things to look for. They were arrogant. Plus I conversed with them in French to make things easier for them but that still didn't help. I ended up going to Tom Beudet( is that how you spell his name?) AKA The Loom Doctor, he is the US rep for LeClerc and he was extremely helpful although I hadn't spent the money with him. Customer service: AVL I have heard people having problems with AVL but not me. I have had my loom since about 1995, and have called them so many times with questions. They have taken my phone calls, spent time with, until I was satisfied. I have never had to send a part back. My only problem with the company is they are so darn expensive! I hope this is helpful to you, Cathie
Mon, 09/22/2014 - 08:05

Thor (not verified)

Our guild meeting was Saturday morning. Three new folks... Two joined (including a wonderful weaver encountered here & another who was a classmate at John C. Campbell). It was such a nice meeting. We brought in our "Fiber Challenge" works. Mine was still on the loom with another 18" to go...so I brought loom and all and discussed the problems I had with the yarns as well as my plans for finishing. Didn't make it to the studio. I had a serious need to bake bread, so I did that. All weekend. Produced three loves: a Cheddar-Srirrachia Swirl, a rustic French Country Herbed Boule and a Potato-Rosemary Focaccia. Not bad for my first foray into bread making but I definitely need improvement. Served them with a Tomatoe-Basil Bisque & Roasted Cauliflower for dinner last night. Back to work for 3 in a row then I get back in the studio on Thursday! Oh, and the Oct Guild meeting will be held in my studio! Yeah, motivation to clean, organize & WEAVE,
Mon, 09/22/2014 - 12:11

endorph

sounds wonderful Thor, as does the rest of the meal!

I am back to threading heddles this evening after work . No time at the loom yesterday so I will try and put in a couple of hours looming tonight! Once this warp is tied on it will be a quick weave. Then I have my 16/2 warp all ready to go on to the loom next and I am going to warp the RH for a couple of scarves so I am already for serious weaving during Halloweave.

Mon, 09/22/2014 - 14:17

sally orgren

On Saturday night I was going to wind a warp from a JOY skein. I decided to try some new-to-me swifts. Unfortunately, the one I tried to mount vertically was not fixed, and the head fell off the base just as I was loading the skein. Needless to say, 1,000 yards of JOY yarn is now in a twisted heap.

I tried to straighten it out as best I could, but realized it might be better to leave it on the floor as it fell. I ended up with sort of a circle, with a bundle leading to a second section that is just a mess. When I located an end, I started the laborious process of untangling it and winding it onto a tube.

Note to self — I didn't realize all the choke ties were removed when I was working with this skein. Next time I would check first, and add them back in before attempting to place on the swift.

I sure hope this never happens to anyone else!

Mon, 09/22/2014 - 20:50

ReedGuy

I use a swift with skeined wool all the time. I use it to put two skeins onto it and measure warp on the warp mill and I wind pirns and quills off it to. I made mine, it's an umbrella swift much like the one in Ed Worst's book. My skeins are only around 250 yards of two ply and about 500 in singles. The wool I use is spun locally at the mill.

Tue, 09/23/2014 - 00:46

tien (not verified)

OMG, have things been insane around here! But in a very, very good way.

First, the knitting machine motor appears to be repairable. A capacitor blew, and another one appears marginal, so Mike has ordered both parts. He should be able to fix the machine next weekend, which will put me back in business for the shadow weave warp. If not, I can sulk and then knit the fabric manually on the non-motorized machine...

Second, the book. Somehow, in just five days, I seem to have acquired the entire Who's Who of the craft world in my interviewee list. That is an exaggeration, of course, but not by much. I have Roy Underhill, who has his own PBS show on woodworking, Tim McCreight, who wrote 15 books on metalworking/jewelry, Kaffe Fassett (who needs no introduction!), Jane Dunnewold (surface design), Archie Brennan, Susan Maffei, and our own Tommye Scanlin (tapestry), and Carol Sauvion, executive producer for the PBS show "Craft in America". Plus a bunch of other experts. I have eight interviews being scheduled and seven other interview requests in the pipeline. And I've conducted two interviews already, with two more scheduled for this week.

Crazy, crazy, crazy. But in the most wonderful possible way. Someone pinch me, I'm dreaming!

Tue, 09/23/2014 - 02:02

Artistry

Sally, I loathe a big heap of tangled yarn! I'm rooting for you that you can get it straightened out without losing your mind! Tien, I am so excited for you! How awesome that you get to talk to all these people! Really fascinating conversations , I'm sure. I'm not sure how you will use them in your book. For example on Surface design, would you have jane Dunnewolds comments on Surface design before you launch into your section? Or would you have her quotes through out the chapter? Curious minds and all that stuff! Tapestry Is out of my hands! Thank goodness! I handed it over to the UPS counter at 6:0 p.m. Said 2nd day air, ( a fortune!) and now it's gone ! I'm not pleased with the mounting device I used to go with there mounting device. I'll need to learn another technique and I know there are several. What I did was sew twill tape (over 1 inch in width) over the hem at the top by hand. Then I took 3 small rings and centered them 1 on each end and 1 in the middle and sewed them down securely on the sides. I than put a wooden yardstick cut to size in the upper hem where the rings were.The idea is that their device will now hook through the rings and the wood in the hem will keep it straight. Well when I tested it out with coat hangers and the top hem flips forward slightly. It's not the end of the world, but I would like it to look better on exhibit. Well you do the best you know how at the time, and you learn more for the next time:) hopefully it will be hang able!
Tue, 09/23/2014 - 02:07

igelheim (not verified)

Good for you! Bread making is my fall go to- I have a sourdough starter in my fridge-"Mad Jack" that really does amazing things. Yay sourdough!

 

Tue, 09/23/2014 - 02:10

igelheim (not verified)

Yes, it is ! After getting another project on the loom, and another stint on the floor feeling like a june bug, I think I will go with the AVL!

 

Tue, 09/23/2014 - 03:24

tien (not verified)

Hi Cathie,

I'm actually not interviewing them about their techniques, but about their creative process. So, for example, I might talk about how Tommye got the idea for her stones tapestry in the section about finding inspiration, or why Tim McCreight thinks that thoughtful critique by others is the best way to grow as a designer, in the section on critiques.

 

I haven't decided yet how I'm going to weave in the interviews - I figure I should finish and read through the transcripts for six or seven interviews to get a sense for the material first. I might work them into the text, or I might put them in as asides in the midst of a chapter - a profiled artist and their (relevant) thoughts about the material in that chapter, etc. There are a ton of different ways to handle it, so I'm not sure how to do it. As Sherlock Holmes once said, "It is a capital mistake to theorize in advance of facts." So I'm going to wait for more data (i.e. more interviews/transcripts) before I decide. I think I'll know how to handle it in another 2-3 weeks.

 

(I have a sneaking suspicion that there may be a second book buried in there...but I need to write the FIRST book first!! So firmly squelching that idea - for now, at least.)

Tue, 09/23/2014 - 04:26

sarahnopp (not verified)

Tien, your books(s) sounds great! I just read one about the routines of artists from the last couple hundred years. It was "Daily Rituals: How Artists Work" by Mason Currey. It was not in depth at all, just snippets of their daily routines, but it certainly did whet my appetite for more in that vein. Learning about the the processes used by contemporary, working crafters and artists always gives me a lot to reflect on, as they are facing the same technological social demands and constraints that I am. Thank you! 

Tue, 09/23/2014 - 18:02

Artistry

Tien, I'm so excited for your book! Yes, I know the Holmes quote, and you're quite right.
Wed, 09/24/2014 - 22:54

tien (not verified)

Thanks! I have the Currey book, and while I haven't read it all yet, I did find it quite interesting. (I actually have a stack of unread books at least three feet high - and that is not exaggerating - on my table. Any suggestions for getting through them! I feel really guilty, they're wonderful books, but I always seem to be too darn busy...)

 

I wish I could hire someone to read them for me and then wire the information direct into my brain! Now, wouldn't that be great?

Wed, 09/24/2014 - 23:23

sarahnopp (not verified)

Hubby & I measure our books by the linear foot now. Got tired of trying to count them all. But I do love seeing them in their little piles, propped against the overflowing shelves. :)

Thu, 09/25/2014 - 01:59

endorph

managed to finish threading the heddles on my towel warp - only 400 ends but it seemed to take forever - my back was not cooperating. I have started sleying the reed - will work on it a bit more tonight and then continue tomorrow - would help if I could find my sleying hook. . . .

 

Thu, 09/25/2014 - 13:20

sally orgren

I hope to finish tonight. I probably have the last third left. Several folks told me they would have thrown the skein away. Guess I just had time on my hands. (HA!)

I leave for the weekend Coverlet College tomorrow afternoon. Woo Hoo!

Thu, 09/25/2014 - 13:27

endorph

the same thing you are doing Sally - untangling - I hate to throw yarn away if I can avoid it! Coverlet College sounds fascinating

 

Thu, 09/25/2014 - 16:17

tien (not verified)

Whereas, I have to confess, my response is usually scissors! But then I work with very long skeins of very fine yarn - which is (a) impossible to untangle, and (b) takes forever even if you can.

 

The parts to fix the knitting machine motor arrived yesterday and we'll probably try to do the repairs over the weekend. (Tonight I'm prepping for an interview with a master woodworker and tomorrow is the interview + date night.) That will enable me to move forward with the shadow weave warp, though not immediately, as I plan to re-sley. I measured the ppi on what I've woven so far, and I'm getting 80 epi and only about 60 ppi, even when double-beating! - which suggests that my problems arise from the warp density, and I should back it off a little. I'm debating between re-sleying to 72 and re-sleying to 64. 64 will certainly fix the sticky-threads problem, but will also balloon the warp out to 45", which (a) I am not sure I can weave without a fly shuttle, and (b) is nearly the full width of my loom. So I am leaning towards 72. Re-sleying will be a pain (and cost me nearly 1 full day) but I think it's necessary.

 

I'm also in the process of setting up a Whole Lotta Interviews. I got one Saturday, one Monday, and one Wednesday of next week, plus in the process of trying to schedule one for Sunday and one for Tuesday. It's more work than it sounds like as I'm trying to research each interviewee before the interview - it's a courtesy to them and helps me ask the right questions. So a one hour interview can easily take three+ hours to set up, research, and conduct.

Thu, 09/25/2014 - 21:30

ReedGuy

I'de never throw a skein of wool away. On the other hand, fine yarn is toast, like tien suggested. One needs patience to weave. ;) LOL

Tien, just like graduate school, sounds like your defending a paper. Only now your the one asking and enquiring. :D

 

Thu, 09/25/2014 - 23:00

Artistry

Sally have a tremendous time at Coverlet College! At my house there are very few tangle threads or ugly warps that are spared the scissors. There are a few warps from hell I've persevered because I had faith in them. Had a set back due to health again. This time my ear:(
Fri, 09/26/2014 - 15:00

Artistry

Pulled all my Procion dyes and will be testing colors and mixes this afternoon. Too much fun. Thanks to Tien, I can try out the cold water/ ice " plunge"! Cat scan on Monday :( probably nothing.
Fri, 09/26/2014 - 17:32

endorph

have fun with the dye and good luck with the CAT scan - will send out good thoughts your way

Fri, 09/26/2014 - 20:35

Walkingquail

Sally, I hope your thread is all detangled now! I usually try to detangle when disaster strikes, I hate to toss good yarn. A patience exercise if ever there was one.

Tien, your book sounds so interesting. I bet you actually have the book more figured out in the back of your mind, it just hasn't sifted out through all the data yet. 

My old/new to me Nilus is all fixed now so I must figure out a simple project to try it out. My looms all have names but I have to work with them before I hear their names. Before I warp her, I feel I must finish some other projects. I like to have several going at a time but every project has a time when it must be finished! That green sea turtle is begging to be complete!

Fri, 09/26/2014 - 20:52

tien (not verified)

Thanks, Walkingquail! I was talking with my writer's group (the Pens & Needles board on Ravelry) and got a great suggestion yesterday: write my chapters as originally planned, and have one story from a famous artisan at the start or end of the chapter (and maybe one partway through), that supports or illustrates my points. That will allow me to write more chapters now, instead of having to  wait until the interviews are finished and transcribed. of course, the interviews are coming so fast and furious now that I may not have the time to write more chapters, anyway!

 

I have been looking into places where I can do a writer's retreat in late April/early May, in case I need to take some time off work and concentrate on my writing. Some very generous friends/fellow Caltech alumni have offered their houses, so I have the choice of Seattle, Alaska, or upstate New York, all of which sound wonderful! I am tempted to schedule a retreat even if I'm not in desperate straits on the book - it would be wonderful to be able to focus on my writing for a week or two.

 

This weekend I am going to try fixing the knitting machine motor (the parts arrived) and I am going to take the bull by the horns, cut off, and resley the warp. Not looking forward to it, but I think it's necessary.

Sat, 09/27/2014 - 03:13

pammersw

Seattle is usually beautiful in early May. Normally sunny, with an occasional 2-day front coming through, bringing light rain with it. Nearly everything in bloom. Great writing weather!
Sat, 09/27/2014 - 07:10

sarahnopp

I decided to pull out my rigid heddle loom and make some placemats. It had a few meters of this orangey rug warp on it from a class I took long ago, but I didn't like the project. So I unwove and reclaimed the warp. I am adding some black rug warp (8/4) to it and will be doubling up in slot and hole. And I will use black in the weft (rug warp & dishcloth cotton). I am a little worried I won't be able to get the sett close enough at only 20 epi, so I will be experimenting, but I think I should be ok. I like the colors a lot and rug warp is always fun to play with. I am hoping these come together pretty quickly. My other placemats are just a disgrace LOL

 

Sat, 09/27/2014 - 07:55

pammersw

With orange and black,  you should end up with very fall-colored placemats!

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