Weave a heart --warp faced, weft faced, or anything in between.  All techniques welcome.  

Share your ideas and Valentines.

Comments

Thu, 02/11/2016 - 13:12

[email protected]

The rounded top may be done by tapestry style technique.  On Pinterest, I tag strip weaving under basketry.  Materials range from reed, to fiberboard, cardboard, oaktag, and paper.  

I see Valentines to sent to 12 friends.  I especially like the incorporation of patterns that we recognize from loom weaving techniques in this series of hearts.  You have won my heart!

Thu, 02/11/2016 - 16:54

Queezle

I tried this 2 nights ago (its a very very busy time for me right now at work, 14 hr days...).  Unfortunately, my paper scissors are stuck in the attic (don't ask) and I could only find old children's scissors.  Not precision, didn't work, but I tried.  I will note that the marbled pink paper looks pretty good with the solid pink.an attempt that failed

Thu, 02/11/2016 - 16:58

Queezle

Tomorrow is Darwin's birthday, and so my mind is on evolution.

A potential contest that combines evolution and weaving (weavolution) might be the evolution of a weaving project or design?  Maybe group members could show how the germ of an idea was tweaked to come up with something even better?

Thu, 02/11/2016 - 17:07

gillianbeads

I'm intrigued by this and will check it out. I've made some rag-woven baskets in the past but I'd like to try with fabric.

Do you envision that the rounded top would be done as a pick up technique to create half a round, and hemstitched off to hold it? I wonder how the shape would hold up after the warp was detensioned?  Maybe I'll play on my RH...

Thu, 02/11/2016 - 17:09

gillianbeads

I love this idea! I'm currently warping a colour gamp in 2/2 twill which will give me a "progression"....the evolution idea is challenging indeed!

Thu, 02/11/2016 - 17:12

[email protected]

Queezle, Evolution + Weaving = Weavolution is terrific!  On behalf of the group, I accept your challenge within the challenge and open it to the creativity of the group to further define.

Fri, 02/12/2016 - 13:32

D-Stitchins Studio

I came across this woven heart on Pinterest the other day.... you have to cut your bands, but the results are very pretty. The author of the blog is Inklepink.

http://blog.inkledpink.com/2013/02/14/an-inkle-bit-of-love/

Diane

Fri, 02/12/2016 - 16:42

Erica J

Wow! Those are beautiful! What a great valentine!

Sat, 02/13/2016 - 00:33

[email protected]

I can imagine Darwin cutting up straps and making a very similar heart while at sea aboard the SS Beagle. The same can be done with fabric straps. Quilters give them body and dimension with batting before the strap weaving.  

Sat, 02/13/2016 - 03:59

[email protected]

I look lovingly at band scraps of various lengths in my collection without plans for their use. Some really qualify as thrums. I could use them as supplemental weft or basketweaving material but the pile never goes down and short bands multiply over time.  

I came across a Valentines Day craft that seems perfect to adapt to narrow bands--whether they match or not! It would be simple to sew bands of similar width together at one end and bend back to make hearts within hearts. The paper book heart directions (link below) provide a reasonable starting point for band lengths.  

I started playing with a band without cutting it and found 4 inches could make a complete small heart with a single tack stitch at the base. The nested paper band uses 2 of each length: 4 in, 5 in, 6 in, and 7 inch. The width and stiffness of thrums may call for adjustments to hold the heart shape.  

Playing with thrums tonight has been a nice trip down memory lane.  

http://fabulesslyfrugal.com/valentines-day-paper-book-hearts/

 

Sun, 02/14/2016 - 01:03

[email protected]

One last before Valentines Day idea--creating a heart on the surface of a band by using supplementary warp.  I am drawn to increasing dimensionality of weaving using bands as building blocks.  A thick supplementary warp on the surface of a band brings bas relief to weaving.  

Wishing everyone their perfect Valentines Day tomorrow.

Francine

Sun, 02/14/2016 - 16:36

[email protected]

In honor of the day, starting to announce prizes --will include Weavolution mugs and tote bags. Grand prize will be worth weaving for all the way until March. Today honors love and we do love our looms. Tomorrow we weave. Looking forward to more thoughts, hearts, and bands from everyone.

Sun, 02/14/2016 - 16:52

gillianbeads

DH and I went for a lovely walk in the snow, clear sky and very crisp. We saw deer, beaver, and muskrat tracks. I feel very fortunate today.

I've decided that I'm going to use my heart band as a handbag strap. I'm going to weave a Saori-style fabric using red handspun, sari silk ribbon and some undyed roving.

 

Tue, 02/16/2016 - 12:15

[email protected]

How you intend to use your band must inform how it is finished.  Combining them with handwovens is exciting and can lead to very interesting problems to solve.  Unsolved challenges in construction between elements leads to unfinished projects.  A pair of prizes await the weaver with the problem and the weaver who solves the problem.  In case of multiple solutions, weaver with the problem chooses the solution.  If many participate, more pairs will be rewarded!

Wed, 02/17/2016 - 11:09

[email protected]

Hope members will write today.  Hearts helped me to think about dealing with curved lines on the band loom.  What have you learned?  Where would you like this group to go?  

I will be very busy at work today.  Hope to come home to many responses.

Francine 

Thu, 02/18/2016 - 17:02

[email protected]

Beautiful overshot patterns being shared on other threads inspire me to ask if anyone has a pattern for overshot hearts?  

Fri, 02/19/2016 - 16:57

Erica J

I have really enjoyed what everyone has woven for this challenge. I started my double two tied unit weaves study and realised I could weave a heart in my sample. So here I am showing my love for all of you! It'seems right in the middle at the very end.White ands green diamonds with a heart in the middle.

 

Sat, 02/20/2016 - 09:55

[email protected]

Wow, Erica!  I just love the inclusion of the heart within your complex weaving study. Thank you also for everything you do without which we would not have our study group.

Sat, 02/20/2016 - 12:28

gillianbeads

I love the meandering geometric pattern you've done! How many shafts?

Sat, 02/20/2016 - 12:47

Erica J

The great thing about tied weaves is the economy, this is done on just 8 shafts!

Sun, 02/21/2016 - 14:32

[email protected]

Community Choice Grand Prize will be awarded on 2/29/2016.

You do not need to be a member of the group to enter.  Open to all materials and techniques shared on this challenge thread whether or not posted as a Project.  To vote, please send private message or e-mail to [email protected] 

Entries to date:

Quezzle:  Scribbled heart

Queezle:  Marbled pink paper heart

theresasc:  13 pattern warp band shaded red orange 

LauraFry:  Towels woven with hearts

gillianbeads:  Rigid Heddle band for strap

gillianbeads:  Paper woven hearts

Erica J:  Heart in double two-tied weave

Box Tape Looms thread revived this morning is great read.  I hope those weavers will join in our fun.  In the coming days, I will announce the small prize winners.  Keep checking back and join in the conversation.

Tue, 02/23/2016 - 07:41

Nakia

This has really surprised me when I read I was winning one of your mug prizes FJ. Laughing I will display it in a place of honor. I have not been active in this study group like I first planned on being. There are a few Tongue Out challenging reasons why I will chat about here with ya'll.

 

Firstly, I was waiting for my Frankenloom to come home & am still waiting for it! Next month I will try contacting the artisan again and find out if I will ever get it. To date I have not heard from the man since I first ordered & paid for it way back last Sept. I did send him an email in Jan with no reply from him. So, as I mentioned when this study began I was waiting for a smaller inkle loom I ordered last month from another artisan. I did get that one, a really cute one called "The Minstrel". I think I had it home a week when it met an unfortunate accident purely my fault. I was reaching for a weaving book that sat beside it on one of my tables I work on. I wasn't paying attention that the loom was partially sitting on the edge of the book. When I lifted the book while looking off it flipped the inkle over & on the floor it went. Yep, I decapitated the poor little thing. Frown I was heart broken over it. My hubby Jerry who is really good at woodworking took on the challenge of putting it back together. He is famous for getting way more supplies than he ever needs for his projects. He brought home plenty of red oak wood to fix that loom. Then went on to make me a large & small inkle loom, his first ever to build.

 

I was excited to try his large loom out and warped it with #10 cotton crochet thread locally bought for background and turquoise & red orlon I already had so I could practice with it. I did get started on a heart patteren in the Baltic style from "The Weaver's Inkle Pattern Directory" by Anne Dixon. My orlon was not thick enough to make the pattern stand out like I wanted. I had an order for 5/2 perle cotton coming that I was planning to use for my inkle projects. It finally came in this week along with the 10/2 perle cotton I ordered from another source. Also a few days after Jerry made my looms he had to spend 3 days in the hospital due to his blood pressure being very high. (Jerry actually made the small inkle to take with me for his future hospital stays. I had mention I would have brought my loom to work on if it were smaller) Not anything new with him having issues with his BP. It was higher than it normally gets when he has troubles. He again spent 3 days in the hospital a couple of weeks ago for the same thing. And has been home from work with a "Get out of jail free pass." Sort of an inside joke and you need to know we are both correctional officers at a maximum security prison unit. That means his 2 work~week pass from his doctor stretched out to be 20 days off for him. I should be so lucky~~I had to work.

 

Well, I am in the process of putting on a new warp with my 10/2 & 5/2 perle cotton. This will not be a heart pattern, it will be a strap for my clear plastic bag I can carry into work that holds my food, snacks, supplies such as pens & pencils. The old plastic strap is about to bite the dust any day now. This pattern I am taking from the book, "Weaving Sami Bands" by Susan J. Foulkes. It is supposed to be used with the Sunna heddle which is like a heddle on a rigid heddle loom. I have one I got to use with my band loom, I don't really care for using it. On inkle looms they are normally not used, it is better with tape, band & backstrap looms.

 

I am including photos of my repaired Minstrel loom, my 2 home built looms, the first warp & weaving I tried on my large loom Jerry made and the new warp I am going to begin to work on as soon as I get all 65 warp ends wound on.

 The first warp on my home built loom with a heart started.

heart pattern on inkle loom

 The large home built loom my hubby made for me with the new 10/2 & 5/2 perle cotton warp going on.

home built inkle loom made by my hubby

 The Minstral loom I bought and then brke the neck when it fell. Hubby repaird it for me.

Minstrel inkle loom repaired by my hubby

The small inkle loom hubby made me for easier travel weaving. In this photo he hadn't finished sanding it out.

small inkle loom my hubby made for me

Tue, 02/23/2016 - 11:00

gillianbeads

I hope your delightful husband is doing better and feeling well.

He's a dear to make you such lovely inkle looms, and a selection at that!

I love your heart band so far, please show us a picture once you're done.

Congrats on the mug too!

Tue, 02/23/2016 - 16:15

Nakia

Thanks gillianbeads, hubby~Jerry is doing good. BP is better most of the time. He's had problems for yrs, he will be retiring some time this year from work which he needs to do. He does do a nice job with most things he makes out of wood. He still needs to practice with the fine sanding/finishing of his work. I have not used the small one, the large one works great.

 

I have taken the band off I started with the heart motif. It was just for practice til my perle cotton came in. The perle cotton is the yarn I purchased especially for working on my inkle looms with. I am warping the large loom with it in a new motif. If it turns out decent I will post pics of my progress. Smile

Wed, 02/24/2016 - 01:24

[email protected]

This months challenge has increased my appreciation for several books and the generosity of their authors.  These include:

bolivian warmi, author of Andean Pebble Weave by Laverne Waddington

eastknoll Tape Loom Weaving Simplified by Regina Britton

Durham Weaver The Art of Simple Band Weaving, Christmas Hearts, and Sami Band Weaving by Susan J. Foulkes 

Please add your favorite bandweaving books and resources.

 

Thu, 02/25/2016 - 11:04

gillianbeads

This month's challenge has opened up new avenues of inspiration for me. I have subscribed to and pored over Laverne's blog about Andean Pebble Weaving (a backstrap loom is on my project list), Durham Weaver's blog posts about band weaving, and Susan Foulkes' blogs about Saami two-hole rigid heddle weaving.

My DH has requested a Kokopelli design belt and I'm working through making a pattern to try a sample.

As a novice weaver there is so much to discover I admit I'm overwhelmed but having a great time.

The only resource that I can add at this point is:

http://ashguild.ca/home/images/documents/DesigningInkleBands.pdf

It's from a workshop held by Daphne Treneman in 2013, has great tips for weaving inkle bands, graph paper templates, and has a list of resources at the end.

I'm tickled to have been selected for a Weavolution mug prize!! Now my morning coffee will be a source of inspiration too :D

Thu, 02/25/2016 - 12:07

[email protected]

Watching gillianbeads fearless approach and rapid growth and accomplishments has been a highpoint of this month.  A month of discovery might just inform another month together as a group.  

Birds fly in a V formation with the lead bird position rotated.  I will need to rotate out of leading in March.  Perhaps another member would like to lead this group through March?

Keep those votes coming.

Francine

Mon, 02/29/2016 - 15:47

eastknoll

woven heart sampler

I started working on heart patterns for the Valentines couples class I taught this month at the Vesterheim Museum in Decorah, Iowa.  My sweetie, Roger, taught carving the wooden Band Loom part of the class to the guys, and I taught the weaving to the gals.  Our class project was a sampler called Hearts and Flowers, but I thought it would be nice to do a sampler too.  Band Looms in Scandinavia were given as betrothel gifts, so the couples class on Valentines day was very appropiate!  At the end of the 2 day class the guy presented his gal with a personlized hand-carved loom and she knew how to weave on it... it was a fun class. 

So, I finally finished the last set for my sampler this morning!  Thanks for the heads up Francine!

 

Mon, 02/29/2016 - 15:46

eastknoll

Knit with heavy cotton in two pieces and then woven together

I knit this coaster for a Valentines gift this year. Heavy cotton knit in two pieces then woven together.

Mon, 02/29/2016 - 15:48

eastknoll

My most used book for Band weaving is Anne Dixons, The Weavers Inkle Pattern Directory... with over 400 patterns in a variety of styles, Baltic, Pebble, Krogbragd and more... they can all be transfered to the Band loom! Mix and match and lots of new ideas too.

 

Thu, 02/25/2016 - 15:42

Erica J

Eastknoll,

I'm glad I read through the entire thread before responding to gillianbeads. I too was going to recommend Ann Dixon's book. I find her explanations of inkle weaving very accessible. Daryl Lancaster alos offers a class via Cyber Fiber on Paired Pebble weaving.

Thu, 02/25/2016 - 18:39

[email protected]

bandweaving.com is a new resource opened as the Stoorstalka North American web store on January 17, 2016.

eastknoll, Your samples are fantastic!  I hope you will accept separate entry of each individual sample for the grand prize contest.  Seeing your work, I am drawn to a personal favorite (that I won't immediately disclose).  I also now realize we should have separate technical and artistic awards. 

Looking beyond hearts, the top band in your picture started me thinking about weaving lips!  The combination of rounded and straight edges that make up a heart really opens up design possibilities. 

 

Thu, 02/25/2016 - 22:19

eastknoll

I like the two color blend.. good choice.

 

Mon, 02/29/2016 - 15:48

eastknoll

Thank you! The set of 4 is a "sampler". Like the old cross stitch samplers, I have seen groupings of short lengths of tape framed to hang on the wall. I am out of state right now, but will frame these together when I get home.  

It's a fun idea to display bands you have been working on.

 

Thu, 02/25/2016 - 22:23

eastknoll

Thank you! The set of 4 is a "sampler". Like the old cross stitch samplers, I have seen groupings of short lengths of tape framed to hang on the wall. I am out of state right now, but will frame these together when I get home.  

It's a fun idea to display bands you have been working on.

 

Thu, 02/25/2016 - 22:43

Nakia

Congrats to everyone who has won a mug with their inspiring and heartfelt weavings and ideas. Cool

 

Francine, you should win a mug for your inspirations and encouragement you have given everyone participating here in our group study.  You are a great leader and should continue heading this study as our leader in my opinion.Laughing

 

 

 

 

Thu, 02/25/2016 - 23:33

theresasc

There has been some really nice work done this month.  Kudos to all!

Fri, 02/26/2016 - 02:41

[email protected]

Nakia,  Thank you for the compliment and suggestion that I treat myself to a mug too.  I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered the mugs and tote bags in the Weavolution "Shop." Identifying each other at a gathering like Convergence by carrying a Weavolution tote bag would be terrific.  

I also want to support Weavolution advertisers through our technical and artistic awards --small gift certificates for superlatives and larger certificate or book for group's choice grand prize. Please speak up and vote!

Fri, 02/26/2016 - 11:27

gillianbeads

The variety in patterning is wonderful...I love your sampler!

Fri, 02/26/2016 - 18:57

Erica J

Wow, I know I was here just yesterday and look at all the great activity since I last checked in.

I too would like to say what a great leader Francine has been. She has generated great conversation, inspired many wonderful weavings, and supported our advertisers! Thank you for all your wonderful contributions to Weavolution and the weaving community!

Sat, 02/27/2016 - 03:36

[email protected]

You are a terrific group and have taught me with every one of your postings too.  LOL, today I realized thumbs up are being used to cast votes.  This explains why I am not receiving votes by e-mail.  We will honor this anonymous popular vote as one of several final awards.

Please take a few minutes to write a note here about your favorite project and how you have been inspired by the Challenge.  

theresasc and gillianbeads have posted their work as Projects as well as here within the group.  

theresasc has finished pictures at http://weavolution.com/project/theresasc/playing-inkle-pick

 

Sun, 02/28/2016 - 13:34

Joyce (not verified)

I haven't participated in the monthly challenges but have loved ooohing and aaahing at everone's projects.  Now my Dorothy is empty and waiting for me to dress her up.  

Sun, 02/28/2016 - 13:41

[email protected]

My Pinterest feed brought interesting woven paper hearts to my attention this morning.  Searching "woven paper heart" brought up a more amazing variety of hearts than I could have imagined.  Great color and pattern studies can inform how we play with color and pattern as we plan projects whether they have a heart design, hidden heart, or no heart at all.  Great weaving comes from the weaver's heart.

The Weavolution community also informs our paths as weavers, craftsmen, and artisans.  At the risk of inviting an avalanche of snow next winter, I am already wondering how we can have a February challenge for "glistening snow."

Tomorrow is Leap Year Day --special day for special awards.

Have a great day today.

Francine

Mon, 02/29/2016 - 00:33

[email protected]

I just sat down to work on the final awards and found a last minute very marvelous entry posted as a project by bolivian warmi  Do have a look.  I hope she will continue to inspire and help guide the bandweaving group.

Here is a link to her project:

http://weavolution.com/project/bolivian-warmi/bolivian-joining-stitch#comment-109856

Group Audience
Monthly Challenge Study Group