Weavolution has announced that they have got the Groups and Forums 'fixed' - so how about people start introducting themselves - geographic region, things they like to weave, blog/website urls - whatever?

I live in BC (Canada), have been a production/professional weaver since deciding that this would be my career at the age of 25.  I quit work in order to take a weaving class at the local college. 

I have a 16 shaft AVL with computer assist, 4 box fly shuttle, and air assist, a Fanny (Leclerc) 4 shaft counter balanced loom, and a 24 shaft Woolhouse Tools lever loom.  The last has been largely ignored for the last while, but has proved useful for playing with block weaves.

My blog is http://laurasloom.blogspot.com and I have a store on Art Fire http://LauraFry.artfire.com.  My website is http://laurafry.com

I've discussed issues of efficiency fairly often on my blog and my website has some articles/essays - click on Education on my home page.  And I'm always willing to learn new ways to work more efficiently/ergonomically.

Cheers,

Laura

Comments

Fri, 07/03/2009 - 22:41

suzyhok (not verified)

Greetings!

What fun it is to have a place to gather with weavers across the world.  Thank you WEAVOLUTION!

My husband and I recently moved to Savannah, Georgia (Xmas 08) after retiring as a middle school art teacher.  I made the difficult decision to sell my looms (4 shaft Leclercs and 2 shaft Unions), equipment and yarns which I had accumulated over 30 plus years of weaving.  Fortunately, I found a great 8 shaft Mighty Wolf in Savannah that I've enjoyed exploring using some of the stash I couldn't part with before we moved.  It feels so good to be weaving again.  Before I had my new studio set up I enjoyed getting back into cardboard loom weaving (see our Weavolution group.)

A couple years ago I published a book called Woven: a Bauhaus Memoir.  It's a fictitious journal by my alter ego, Anna Werke, a student at the Bauhaus, an avant garde art institution which existed in Germany between WWI and WWII.  Anna's life is woven together from facts I learned about the Bauhaus, its teachers and directors (including Gropius, Kandinsky, Klee, Albers) and the weavers (including Anni Albers and Gunta Stolzl.)  The weavers, Bauhausmadchen,  were an important part of the school.  My book tries to make this important time in art history come alive.  You can learn more about it on my website www.suzanneworkhokanson.com.

This summer we are living on our Catalina 36 sailboat on Lake Champlain in upstate NY.  It's cooler than Savannah - and absolutely beautiful.  I have my cardboard looms ready to go!

I started a blog as part of my Ravelry profile and it includes my fiber work - http://suzyhok.blogspot.com

Looking forward to learning more about what others are doing.

Suzy

Sat, 07/04/2009 - 02:11

laurafry

Oh - great- I'll look for the book!  Always love reading stories with textile themes.  :)

Cheers,

Laura

Sat, 07/04/2009 - 10:02

Little Meadows (not verified)

Hello Everyone,

I am in North Carolina,  an hour NE of Greensboro, we have a farm with 25 fiber sheep, 18 dairy goats and many laying hens.  My website is littlemeadowsfarm.net and the blog is littlemeadowsfarms.blogspot.com .  I am a self taught  knitter, then spinner and now new  weaver of a couple of years.  I sell my handwovens at a couple of shops, at the Farmer's Market and a local art show but  hope to branch out into more  art shows next year - farms require constant feeding you know, so everybody has to pay their way,  especially me!  So the kitchen is my cheese & soap making place, the front room is the loom room which still leaves us a bedroom  that doesn't have to also function as a work place; just like the days a yore! Lately I found a local upholstery mill and bought a week's worth of selvedges from them which was almost 700 lbs that would have otherwise gone into the landfill!  Since the idea of throwing anything so useful away is abhorrant to me I'm hoping to get a small busines going of selling these selvedges, as well as, selling more  rugs.  In the meantime my Victory loom is getting a new warp,  I'm weaving an echo threading in bamboo for scarves on the Glimakra and the Artisat sits with a kimono half done. 

I'm very much loking forward to meeting everyone here,  Liese

Sun, 07/05/2009 - 03:13

crosstownshuttler (not verified)

 Hi everyone,

I moved to NYC 30 years ago and shortly afterward bought my LeClerc Artisat on layaway from School Products. Over the years I've added a Structo, an AVL 8 shaft modular loom, and a couple of rigid heddle looms. I initially learned to weave from Mary Meigs Atwater's Shuttle-Craft Book of Hand-Weaving. I've been fortunate to attend conferences and workshops which really helped me learn in a way that books can't.

My weaving space is the short leg of our L shaped living room, about 8 ft. by 12 ft. with a little overflow into a cabinet in the main living area. I thought out the use of space better this time so I get more weaving done than I did when I had more room. The only down side is that on sunny days the sun shines right in my eyes in the afternoon. That's not too bad because it forces me to take a break which my body appreciates.

Currently I have a twill doubleweave blanket on the AVL - my first attempt. I have a mirror taped to the shuttle race that lets me see when the shed is clear. Thank you whoever I learned that from!! This wool is sticky. On the Artisat I'm warping 2 baby blankets in thick-and-thin log cabin. I was hoping to weave a bamboo top for MAFA, but that's not going to happen. The baby blankets and warping the loom for the MAFA workshop take priority. Oh yeah, work and the rest of life have to happen in  the next 3 weeks too. :^}  

I'm really looking forward to getting to know everyone,  Carie

Wed, 07/08/2009 - 16:27

JoAnnaWeaves (not verified)

Hi there!
I'm JoAnna from TN. I'm currently an interior design/art major at Tennessee Tech Univ. I have taken 4 fiber classes to date. An intro class where we spent half the semester learning surface design techniques and the second half we spent on weaving. I have since taken two more surface design classes, one focusing on painting, stamping, Thiox. discharge etc. and the other focused completely on repeat pattern printing. The fourth class was a weaving class that was basically a more intense introductory course where we wove four different projects. I really don't have much experience at this point. I recently purchased a used Macomber loom so that I could continue weaving at home. Eventually I plan on having a fibers studio as well as a clay studio on a farm with my husband. We are currently building his wood working studio and our house. So I'm learning how to weave on a budget.  I'm excited to have a place to learn from more advanced weavers. :) Yay Weavolution!!

Tue, 07/07/2009 - 22:42

trishSA (not verified)

Hi, I live in San Antonio, Texas. I've been weaving about 14 years.  I love to weave and have enjoyed reading the comments and questions in various forums.

Wed, 07/08/2009 - 23:16

blossommerz (not verified)

 Hi, y'all!

I'm a new production weaver from San Francisco. I got my 60" AVL in February, and have almost finished my first quarter-mile of full width cloth. I'm doing contract weaving right now, but hope to have my own line of products designed and ready for market by Spring.

Laura, this is the first group that I looked for when I found time to get into Weavolution. I read about it on your blog months ago and can't wait to share ideas with people here.

With my focus squarely on production, I'm excited to hear about the tips and tricks of other people who are concerned with efficiency.

You can read some of my production efficiency tips, documented on my own blog HERE.

I look forward to the discussions here, and can't wait to get to know some of you better.

Blossom Merz

Fri, 07/10/2009 - 22:42

Lois S (not verified)

Hi Laura and all,

Just signed on and already enjoying the discussions.

I've been weaving since '83 but only on a daily basis since retiring 13 years ago.  I rarely sell now, weaving mainly for my own pleasure and education.  I've gotten hooked on complex structures for 8s, especially interleaved twills.  Guess I'm a true "structure junkie".

I have a 45" 8s Leclerc Nilus 2 with double warp beams and rear-hinged treadles.  Those treadles are a great back saver.  I have an 8s Ashford table loom for workshops and sampling.   I usually do b2f warping and sectional beaming directly from a Harrisville warping mill.  I use a Leclerc adjustable tilting bench, and, for the Ashford, a height-adjustable Lyon Sit-Stand stool.

I'm an active member of Tucson Handweavers & Spinners Guild and the THSG Porrey Cross study group.

Looking forward to some great exchanges with you.

Lois S

Wed, 07/15/2009 - 14:18

ShirleyTreasure (not verified)

Hi All,

my name is Shirley Treasure. I live in Western australiafor 12 years before that I lived and worked as a production weaver in Dingle Co, Kerry in Ireland. (lots of happy weaving memmories) I have a 16s weavebird and a 4s nilus in my lounge ready to work,

So is this a meet and great or are we getting to do fibre work? Either way I'm happy. Glad to be here with all of you.

Shirley

Wed, 07/15/2009 - 21:31

laurafry

Hi Shirley,

I think people are being a bit shy, so go ahead and jump right in if you have a comment or query. 

Cheers,

Laura

Mon, 08/31/2009 - 19:18

saligo (not verified)

 Hello, there,

I'm Sallie from Belmont, North Carolina, just west of Charlotte.  I have a LeClerc compact 24" 8H 10T that I have not used in some time except for a recent class.  I learned to weave on a table loom when we lived in Wisconsin about 14 or so years ago, but didn't get my floor loom until about 12 yrs ago.  Almost ten years ago we moved back south to NC, and I went back to work as an RN  8 years ago so the weaving and fiber arts took a back seat to life.  I picked up my knitting needles and have been doing a lot of smaller projects in that time. 

However, now that my children are out of the house (one in grad school, and one with one more semester to finish her undergraduate degree), I have been working toward resuming weaving.  I took a class with Norma Smayda at John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown NC a year and a half ago.  Norma is an excellent teacher.   We did a round robin class on Scandinavian weaving.  Last summer I attended Penland School of Craft to join a class with Edwina Bringle.  I had been aware of Edwina's work for years and was thrilled at the opportunity to meet and learn from her.   It was a wonderful two weeks class, the first time in my adult life I've had the opportunity to go off by myself for two weeks and do just what I wanted to do!  I heartily recommend that and can hardly wait until I can do it again.  This spring I was again fortunate to attend an interesting class, this time at Fiber Forum in Lake Junaluska, NC.  The instructor was Kathrin Weber and we worked on her beautiful, colorful space-dyed warps.  Since then I have been off the loom, but look forward to getting a new project started soon.

I hope this isn't too lengthy.  Since I am still working full time I may not get on the site as often as I'd like, but I will be lurking around from time to time and look forward to the discussions.

Sallie

 

 

 

Fri, 10/02/2009 - 17:46

weaverbird53 (not verified)

Hi all,

I'm G, from southern New England and I just discovered Weavolution yesterday, to my great delight.  I've been weaving since 1984 - less so in recent years, but this place is so inspiring that things might change.  I also sew, bead, felt, dye, spin, and dabble in a number of other fiber-related activities. The yarn, fiber, bead, and fabric stash is *ahem* large.  Favorite loom: my 8-shaft Schacht Baby Wolf. I've also got a 4-shaft 45" Nilus, a 4-shaft 32" direct tie-up Initiation, and a 15" 4-shaft Dorothy table loom. (all Leclerc). Used to weave for sale;  acres of towels and yardage (cottons) and throws (wools) - but arthritis and RSIs have made that largely impractical, so I do smaller, slower projects these days, for gifts and for myself.  There's a tapestry languishing on the Nilus that I should work on – fine linen warp and multi-strand cotton weft. And tablet weaving has just caught my eye, so I'm making a set of cards to try that out.  Oh! And perhaps I'll put some linen rug warp on the Baby Wolf and play with knotted pile…  Hee! It's an addiction, isn't it? A lovely one.

It's wonderful to have found this community and I am looking forward to lots of good discussions and getting to know you all.
 

Fri, 04/23/2010 - 19:14

Dawn McCarthy

Dear Lois, I have been weaving many years, on many looms.  I recently acquired a Nilus II 8 shaft, 45" loom, front hinged treadles.  My question is - how do you like this loom?  I find the way the shafts "float" a little when weaving wide widths a little annoying, although on narrower warps it is fine.  Mine looks like new and I cannot decide if i should sell or just weave more on it and get used to it.  I hooked up the treadle springs but as with all jack looms - the weight of the shafts is somewhat responsible for the amount of tension on the warp.  My AVL and Countermarche yield very different results and I feel I might be spoilt by this.  I have an interested buyer but having only made a couple of items on this loom I am afraid if I sell I will have sellers remorse.  I would like your input on the looms performance.

 

Thanks much

 

Dawn

 

[email protected] 

Fri, 04/23/2010 - 21:26

Lois S (not verified)

Hi Dawn

I'm quite happy with the Leclerc, especially the back-hinged treadles.  Much easier on my back.  The easy tie-up is also something I appreciate.   I haven't had any problem with floater shafts, but I don't often do full-width warps on it - mostly scarf, shawl and sample widths.  Twice I had a small problem with a sticking shaft.  I don't know the reason for it and it hasn't occured again.  What kind of heddles do you have?  If Texsolv, they may not provide enough weight for the shafts.  I use the inserted-eye wire type.

Lois

Fri, 04/23/2010 - 22:52

Dawn McCarthy

 Thank you Lois, I have the inserted eye heddles.  This is maybe the 3rd project on this loom and it is a 45" wide overshot.  I have been told the back hinge treadles make a difference.  I am trying to get used to slightly less tension than the other looms.  I chose the loom to meet certain requirements different from my other looms.  It is a little beefier than the schacht.  I purchased it looking new and for a reasonable price so I am a little reluctant to let it go.  Thank you for your input.

 

Dawn

Mon, 04/26/2010 - 13:25

sequel (not verified)

If the lower shed rises when the treadles are depressed, and this is not unique to LeClerc, you may have the tension too high, the warp set too close, or maybe you just need to raise the height of the beater so the lower shed rests on the shuttle race when the shed is open.   I have found that LeClerc's lower shed is often a little slack compared to the upper shed.  On my Minerva, the beater is non-adjustable, so to solve the problem, I add a little height to the breast and warp beams with sticks.

Mon, 04/26/2010 - 13:59

Sara von Tresckow

Unfortunately there is no way that a rising only shed loom will match the action of a countershed loom.

The loose shed floor comes from the fact that when the rising shafts pick up some threads, there is a minute amount of slippage off the warp beam. That slippage is picked up in the rising threads and the threads left on the shed floor now have a bit of slack.

Many loom makers try to compensate for this by having heavy shafts that weigh down on the shed resulting in a "dip" in the warp when weaving. Lots of tension or a wide warp can create enough force to lift those weighted shafts - causing the "float". It is NOT that the tension is TOO MUCH - it is that the tension exceeds what that jack loom is made to withstand. Now for scarves, afghans and other not so firmly woven textiles, this can be just fine. For rugs, table linens and firm fabrics, not being able to crank up the tension can be a negative factor. You don't want to "open a sett" so far that sleazy fabric results just to cure a "float".

It seems that the jack loom is a development from table looms (where a rising shed is about the only type that works) with treadles added. The "reverse" jack or sinking shed loom like the Louet David is a bit of an advantage as the shed floor is firm and if there is a bit of slack in the shed roof, it needs no compensation. Even the TC-1 single thread control loom that appears to have a rising shed, has a little extra motion at the end of the shed change - where the threads left down are pushed down just enough to create a firm floor for the shuttle. Industrial looms work on cams that push some shafts down and others up. Some type of motion to tighten the shed floor is needed to weave efficiently without floats - and the good old fashioned CB and CM looms are probably the best candidates. 

Mon, 04/26/2010 - 18:39

bluetartan (not verified)

Hello, I live on the sunshine coast of B.C. an hour away by ferry from Vancouver. The location is inspirational with the ocean and mountains and islands surrounding, boat traffic, night lights visible from Vancouver island up and down the coast near Nanaimo. A new weaver with a knitting and spinning background I am also a core member of the local volunteer Coast Guard which gives me great joy to spend time in training and rescues on the ocean, very refreshing and blows away any cobwebs...

Laura I actually have one of your lovely tea towels from a draw at February`s spinners and weavers guild meeting. Funds went to Haiti relief and as my birthday was the week before this was doubley a lovely gift, thank you!

For completing projects begun in the past 7 years and to aid my transition into my next half century I began a one year blog. Shortly afterward things changed dramatically and I am on my own after caring for a parent for many years by myself, other family finally stepped in giving me my life back. Since the end of January my journey has done a 180 and things are absolutely flying now - photography work, new peaceful and inspiring residence with an arabian horse next door, plus a second bedroom for my looms soon to begin working, 45`` Nilus Leclerc loom - with designs on making table ware, rugs, shawls filmy window coverings....and 45`` Leclerc tapestry loom - long term goal coming sooner than I thought and most welcomed.   www.birdsinflight.typepad.com is my daily blog.

I love the connecting with other fibre artists around the globe and so appreciate information and teachings shared by many gifted weavers.

Blessings, R.

 

 

 

Wed, 04/28/2010 - 12:23

Weavalong (not verified)

Being efficient is important for me so this seems a good place to hang out and learn from those with experience willing to share. I have been weaving for just a few days now but have had a lifelong interest after having neighbours who were weavers. As a kid I loved to hear the clac clac sound of the looms working.

 

At the moment I am weaving samples and experimenting with cotton and every other fibre I can find. My project today is finger weaving and joing a forum for contact, advice and support.

 

Wed, 04/28/2010 - 12:50

claudia (not verified)

Welcome aboard.  You might find the Weaving 101 full of useful information as a new weaver.  This is also a great forum to read along and ask questions and learn.

Thanks for Joining the Weavolution.

Claudia, Weavolution co-founder

Wed, 04/28/2010 - 14:16

Joanne Hall

Hi Dawn,

Your Nilus II was designed in the 80s to solve some of the problems of the earlier looms.  The breast beam is taller for taller weavers.  The depth was increased.  And the other change was that the loom can be either jack or counterbalance.  So, you can order the counterbalance equipment and change your loom tiei-up when you  weave with four shafts.

For weaving with 8 shafts, as a jack loom, I noticed something just last week when I was teaching at the John Campbell Folk School, where they have one of these looms.  The back beam of your loom cannot be raised due to the extra legs at the back of the loom, which are there to stabilize the greater depth of the loom. 

A weaver was having problems with the shed.  So, we added two pieces of wood on top of the back beam.  This raised the back beam so that the lower threads got tighter.  This helped a lot.

But, if I had this loom, I would order the counterbalance kit.  Contact me if you want more information.  And second, I would sell it and weave on your countermarch for 8 shaft weaves.  The treadling is much lighter, the loom is probably more comfortable and the sheds are better.

Joanne