...weave these ladies vertically, instead of horizontally?
We are open to any structure suggestion, but must limit the shafts to 10 or less, and treadles to 12 or less.

One of my guildmates saw this fabric in a book, but we do not have any further information.

Help appreciated!

Comments

Fri, 02/26/2016 - 23:23

sally orgren

We figured out the motif, sort of.

Started thinking along the lines of Rosepath.

In this form it wouldn't be weavable, because there are some long floats. So this is more of a "profie" for the motif.

Fri, 02/26/2016 - 23:26

sally orgren

Decided to try a tied weave, (Summer & Winter) so we can eliminate the long floats. Although we did not choose to render in the Dukagang treadling (that would create rows), we think we are on the right track.

Also, if we made this diversified (thin ties, thicker pattern threads) we are guessing we would come close to the original fabric.

Simulation:

Now we are stuck. Can we rotate 90% and still meet our criteria of 10 or fewer shafts, 12 or less treadles?

Would another structure be a better choice? (Rep weave?)

Let the fun and games begin!

Sat, 02/27/2016 - 01:37

laurafry

The amount of detail required would most likely take more than 10 shafts. I'm thinking at least 16, just doing a quick look see   It would also depend on weave structure...

Sat, 02/27/2016 - 03:52

Artistry

Hi Sally, I'm a little confused about weaving vertically, but imagining weaving the ladies  sideways? The rows then go vertically. How long does your piece have to be? If it's not long there is always inlay and double weave pickup.

Cathie

Sat, 02/27/2016 - 06:58

Sara von Tresckow

Your starting picture is a profile, not a woven fabric. 

Could it be the type of weave where small loops are pulled according to the pattern and put on something like a knitting needle and held in place by the next weft? I've seen many photos of this type of work lately on Facebook photos from many countries.

It could be woven on a double harness loom using supplemental weft technique (Opphamta) or as damask - both can be done with pickup techniques and fewer than 10 shafts.

Sat, 02/27/2016 - 07:05

sally orgren

Yes, "sideways" was what she is thinking.

So the ladies would run parallel to the selvedge.

My instinct was without simplifying the motif, she doesn't have enough shafts. However, simplifying may be an option.

Sat, 02/27/2016 - 07:07

sally orgren

Although it might require another book purchase to nail the technique. ;-)

Sat, 02/27/2016 - 07:11

sally orgren

Although it might require another book purchase to nail the technique. ;-)

Sat, 02/27/2016 - 20:34

ReedGuy

I can see 13 shafts to get the ladies turned, but not enough shafts left to get the dance floor. I wonder if the flooring is hard maple? ;) So the 10 shaft quota puts the brakes on loom controlled weave anyway.

Here's a tied weave that doesn't involve S&W treadling. There are two warps and two wefts based on yarn size. I've done this structure for towels and they are great because you can have large areas that look "kind of" solid in the back ground. And yes folks have bought them and felt very grateful for them.

Here's some variations by changing color.

The third one looks like they are really swinging. LOL

Sat, 02/27/2016 - 23:32

sally orgren

I am hoping she takes a peek here.

I think with your lead, she could modify the design to fit her shaft limitations.

Thanks for taking the time to work this out and post! (And no, the hardwood floor is not important!)

Wed, 03/02/2016 - 16:27

Bonnie Inouye (not verified)

Sally, this is a liftplan profile draft. Switch to tie-up and treadles to see how many blocks are needed for a design that is this long. Just glancing at the design, one repeat is much longer than it is wide. So probably it needs a lot more treadles than shafts. If you want to rotate the design (the profile), you have to express it with tie-up and treadles first.

To get any design you want in a piece of woven cloth, start with a profile draft showing the design with the orientation you want. Then express that design in your chosen weave structure. I prefer tied weaves for images and motifs like this.

Mirror symmetry helps reduce the number of pattern blocks needed in the warp in your profile draft. A design that is symmetrical in one direction is easier to weave with the symmetry in the warp, unless you have plenty of shafts. You can tell your friend that woven images are great fun when you have 16 shafts, or even more. This is one reason for buying a loom with more than 8 shafts.

I agree that the photo of the cloth looks like diversified plain weave. There's a similar design, but with a row of boys and a row of girls, in a book or monograph on summer and winter. That one needs 8 shafts and was used for pillows for a child's room. With a pillow, the figures can be woven in either direction.

Bonnie Inouye

Sat, 03/19/2016 - 18:52

sally orgren

Success! My guildmate set up a sample warp, and after adjusting the pattern weft grist, her lady emerges!

This is just the first step. She has some interesting plans for this project.

Thanks for pointing us in the right direction, ReedGuy.

Sun, 03/20/2016 - 11:37

sally orgren

She has access to a 16 shaft "Klick" table loom, so had equipment available to match her shaft needs.

Sat, 03/26/2016 - 21:24

ReedGuy

Vicky Tardi did a baby blanket in dukagang treadling of S&W using ladies, boys and hearts in an 8 shaft draft. It was originally published in May/June 1996 issue of handwoven pages 72-74, 92-93. It was republished in "Best of Handwoven Technique Series: Comprehensive Guide to Designing and Weaving with Blocks." ebook (published in 2011) with 14 projects. The article was "Reducing Block Designs to Fit your Loom".

Sat, 03/26/2016 - 22:06

sally orgren

...and, I KNOW Vicki.

Thanks for all your help!

Mon, 03/28/2016 - 01:02

sally orgren

and send to my guildmate. Thanks again, ReedGuy.