Hi Tapestry Weavers!  I thought it would be a good idea to bat around some ideas of what we want this study group to be before the beginning of February 1 st.

Since their are 20 members we may want to do different things within this group ! That's fine. Some people may want to study color, design, tapestry diary, joins, do a sampler from a book.  We might decide as a group to do a design and complete a small tapestry over, let's say 2-3 months  time . 

I am very interested in what you want to do! 

Let's Talk!

Cathie Beckman

 P.S. It's not too late to join:)

Comments

Wed, 02/03/2016 - 12:54

Artistry

Theresac,

love the gradation composition ! Doing it in grey, I can see the power of shading in one hue, especially with the extended areas of mixing. What are you up to next?

Penny, do post pictures! 

I made it to Florida! This p.m. I hope to work with Chiné and Mélange. Just squares side by side , I think. My 92 year old father is wearing me out already with his juanting around town, walks on the beach and swimming  in the pool:)

Cathie - how are the new people doing? Any questions?

Wed, 02/03/2016 - 17:04

theresasc

my camera really distorts colors - the first color gradation is in 2 shades of blue:  navy and like a colonial blue.  I probably took 10 pictures before it even came close to looking as it should.

Penny, thanks for the information on Weaver's Bazaar yarns.  One of these days I know I am just going to cave in and order one of there color packs - now to decide which size yarn to buy.

 

Second color gradation is finished.  I did this one in three colors of HD Shetland yarn - 2 strands per bundle.  I really like the way it came out, reminds me of a sunset.  I like the way the yarn wove, it is stiffer than the 2/9 wool that I used in the first study.  The 2/9 is very soft yarn.  On the other hand, weaving at 8 epi, with the Shetland I only was able to bundle 2 strands so not as much color blending as with the 2/9.  This is something for me to keep in mind as I go forward and whenever I decide to buy actual tapestry yarn.

color gradation no 2

Wed, 02/03/2016 - 20:55

Artistry

Chiné

Really beautiful Thereasc! A trick to the 2 plies like Harrisvilles is to unply them with this easy way. Cut the length you need, actually I keep it relatively short maybe 20 inches( sorry) then hold at top and unply the first inch. Hold one ply, then lightly pinch the second ply and slide it down the other ply. You'll get a little bundle accumulating under your fingers. Go to the end. The little ball will not be tangled. This way you have two thin weft threads, more mixing:)

here are my chinés - definition, in case you don't know. It's basically a difference in hue and or value in the same weft bundle. I got so taken with my chinés, that I thought I would try them with hachure. I don't like how they are standing out. I'm using 4 strands, 2 red violet, 2 the opposing color and value. I'm going to try dropping down one of the red violets and adding the opposing color only in the progressing hachure. I'll see if that makes a diff.

 

Thu, 02/04/2016 - 14:13

Artistry

how are the " newbies " doing? Have you gotten your looms set up? That is truly the hardest part! Send a post if you want to ask questions! No question is silly:)

Cathie

Thu, 02/04/2016 - 15:35

theresasc

for the tip on unplying.  I do not know why I did not think to try that with the Harrisville - duh!  Now I have a lot more colors to play withSmile.

Chinés look interesting.  From yours, you are using one base color, then using its opposite in hue and then value, yes?  What kind of effect does this create on a larger piece?  More depth or shading?  Doing the physical weaving of the techinque is great, but when do you apply them?  I can figure out when to use color gradations, but when do you use chiné?

Thu, 02/04/2016 - 18:53

nancyryan1

I have directions on a cuff that I downloaded from Mirrix website. I also bought one of their tapestry purse kits. I have not had time to do anything yet as I am frantically weaving a project off of my wolf pup so I can warp it for a workshop next weekend. So my Mirrix is sitting on the floor of my studio taunting me!!!!

Fri, 02/05/2016 - 01:53

Artistry

Thereasc, chinés are made up of diferences in hue and or value.

i didn't have to use red violet for all three chiné blocks. They are separate blocks. One could have been navy blue and yellow, the last forest green and blue. i just used the red violet to make it look more cohesive. so all the blocks have the chiné element of light and dark( value) and different color ( hue). As an added bonus, though it doesn't need this to be a chiné, the red violet and it's companion hue have a difference in brilliance ( saturation) to make it even more dynamic.

i've been looking at the three blocks and seeing how the colors are effected by their mixtures and why. The green and red violet are basically compliments. When you mix red and green you get brown. I see a dulled color , sort of brown. I have no idea what the cause is for what I'm seeing in the red violet and yellow block. I see a tinge of red in the yellow, almost like it's gold. It is the three primaries red violet( blue and red) and yellow, so maybe that has something to do with it. The last block just glows to me. I think the blue in the red violet and the light blue are working together to make the red more dominate.

so to answer your questions, I'm just discovering the power of chinés! I truly didn't like them until now, but now I see endless possibilities. I would now try chiné when I want a reflection of light, a hint of dark, or lots of dark, a bridge between two colors, perhaps to look like pebbles far away ( I think I'll use that in Patagonia) maybe a rough surface.... I have to experiment more:)

Fri, 02/05/2016 - 01:58

Artistry

nancyryan1, Oh, and they know how to taunt ! Have a great time at your workshop !  See you when you're done !

Cathie

Fri, 02/05/2016 - 05:08

beaverly

As we talk about yarns, could those that are permanently mothproofed please be highlighted somehow? Tapestry is such labor-intensive method that I, for one, will only use yarns which are so treated.  That is, once I am beyond the learning stage.  I want to do commission work and that will be pricey.  The client deserves something that will last.

Beaverly

Fri, 02/05/2016 - 14:11

Artistry

Beaverly, it has been my experience that this is stated on the yarn seller's website. There is a way to mothproof yarn oneself, I have never done it, but sure it can be googled. 

I am traveling ,so not near my tapestry yarn info.

Cathie

Fri, 02/05/2016 - 15:35

theresasc

They laugh at you too - my floor looms were laughing at me as I tried to find good yarn colors for the tapestry studies.  Those looms are all dressed in pretty colors:-)

Fri, 02/05/2016 - 18:42

endorph

Hope you don't mind me lurking in your group! Thank you for this explanation. I am finding all of this quite fascinating.

Fri, 02/05/2016 - 19:17

NanciElaine (not verified)

I've  been waiting on my warp yarn which was ordered over a week ago and was just notified that they won't have it to ship out until next week.  Perhaps by then I'll have also received the tapestry book you recommended Cathie, although I don't feel like I need that to start weaving.  Warping and tying up the Glimakra for the second time only might take me some time, smile.  In the meantime I'm just following what people are doing.  My plan is to make my sampler wide enough to make a small rug to put in front of my studio door...maybe 2 x3 feet.  

Fri, 02/05/2016 - 20:58

nina

This group took off like a shot! That's what I get for not checking in for a few days.  I will also be lurking for awhile.  I'm weaving a tapestry that I'm deep into right now. 

Fri, 02/05/2016 - 22:39

Artistry

Nina, I can't wait To see your tapestry , I really like your work!

NanciElaine, I hope your warp comes soon. Always seem to happen when one has something planned!

Tina, you can always lurk and add your comments too :)

Yes, your're right, and sometimes I could swear my tapestry unweaves  itself a little bit at night:) today I worked for 2 hours and not much to show because I thought more about the effects of colors, than the weaving. But then I guess that's what part of a color study is about:) will post tomorrow! I am just starting mélange with hachures.

Cathie

Fri, 02/05/2016 - 23:43

endorph

sure you don't have Penolope around here somewhere unweaving tapestry at night?

Sat, 02/06/2016 - 22:28

sandyweave

This is my first tapestry (other than a small sampler woven a couple of decades ago!) and I'm using a photo of Earth from Mars as inspiration.  Working now on carding and spinning gradations of gray for the Mars foreground.  Learning as I go...

Sat, 02/06/2016 - 23:17

Artistry

That is so awesome , Earth from Mars!

we didn't get check in for our hotel until 4:00 :( no tapestry or pix today

Sun, 02/07/2016 - 17:18

theresasc

forward to seeing Earth from Mars evolve - especially being woven with handspun yarns!  Too wonderful!

I finished up my third study in color gradation.  Still working out of Carol Russell's book - this time wavy lines and dots.  I am liking what I am seeing with color gradations, I am now really being able to see how to add shadows and depth to a piece using these techniques.  I also sewed the slit between the two this time.  I used a curved needle from old leather & bead work from years ago.  It worked very well for picking up the weft loops and sewing up the slit.

wavy lines and dots

Yesterday I did a little work on some of my tapestry tools as well.  I have a mix of tapestry bobbins, some from John Moss and a bunch of Glimakra 5" wood bobbins.  I started with the Glimakra and then ordered the John Moss and the difference in feel is like night and day.  The Moss bobbins have such a silky finish and feel so good in my hands.  The Glimakra do not feel as nice so I took some very fine steel wool to them, and then a nice coat of paste wax.  The Glimakra feel much better now, still not as nice at the Moss bobbins, but it is a much nicer feel.

Mon, 02/08/2016 - 03:30

kasa

I have just joined and I live in Australia.  I have just bought a tapestry loom, which I know nothing about except that it is a Lapponia and made in Finland.  I want to learn how to use it and hope that by joining this group I will learn how to weave on it.

Thank you for accepting me.

Mon, 02/08/2016 - 16:04

theresasc

I cut the warp off that I was working on, I was getting to the end and had an idea that might take more warp than was there.  I redressed the Tissart yesterday in 12/9 cotton seine.  I have both 12/6 & 12/9 in my stash and Rebecca Mezoff did an interesting study in warp sizes HERE.  The warp I had been working on was 12/6 and now I am planning to use pretty much the same weft yarn as on the first and see if it makes that much of a difference in the finished look of the tapestry using a slightly larger warp.  I figured I am exploring a lot of different things here, so I might as well throw different warp sizes into the mix.

It is always such a trip dressing the Tissart.  I actually stand on my loom bench and dress from top to bottom, threading the heddles and then right into the reed.  It is back-to-front warping only going from top-to-bottom.

Tue, 02/09/2016 - 02:48

Toebeans

hi. I've joined this group and will be watching.  I have a Schacht tapestry loom and I may not be able to get much done.  I'm having a knee replaced in the first week of March.  But this is good way for me to learn.  I may jump in with questions too.  Thank you for this educational experience.  Judy

Tue, 02/09/2016 - 02:51

Toebeans

hi. I've joined this group and will be watching.  I have a Schacht tapestry loom and I may not be able to get much done.  I'm having a knee replaced in the first week of March.  But this is good way for me to learn.  I may jump in with questions too.  Thank you for this educational experience.  Judy

Tue, 02/09/2016 - 09:57

Artistry

Welcome to tapestry, Kasa and Toebeans! I'm glad you're here! Please jump in with questions anytime:)

theresasc, wow, this last color gradation is full of information. values, saturations, love the patterning !

yes, I know what you mean about the warping ! That's why I call the Shannock " the Beast" she's big And dressing her is not hard but on a big scale! Can't wait to see what you're next sample is! You're cruising:)

where as I'm cruising in the car and not getting much weaving done because of it:( we'll be in Marco Island today, so I should be able to get the mélanges done. One that subject, I spent 2 hrs. On the mélange day before last, and discovered they were actually chinés. Not a disaster in the real world but for this sampler, Grrrrrrrrrr!

so mélange again today!

Cathie

Tue, 02/09/2016 - 21:59

Artistry

Mélange tapestry

Finally something to show:) mélange and hachure.now on to pick and pick.

theresac, I wanted to ask you about sewing up the slits. I usually wait until after the tapestry is finished but sometimes I get draw in while I'm weaving in the slit area:(I'm thinking for longer slits it could be better to sew as I go. so do you sew each weft from each side of the slit with your curved needle? Or do you skip a few in between stitches? What kind of thread do you use, or do you use yarn? Thanks! Cathie

 

Wed, 02/10/2016 - 15:38

theresasc

I use sewing thread as close to the color as the weft as I have.  I do not pick up every weft pick, just kind of slide my needle under a couple and then stagger to the other side.  I have read not to pick up the warp end or to sew through the warp end because that can threaten the strength of the warp.  Between ATA and Tommye's blogs I found a number of articles regarding sewing slits and I have kind of cherry picked what works for me.  I know myself well enough that I do not want to sew them after the project is off the loom. 

Cathie, I really like where you are going on your sampler.  That is some really nice weaving.

Wed, 02/10/2016 - 17:39

endorph

Reminds me of sunset reflected on the water

Wed, 02/10/2016 - 22:37

Artistry

Pick and pick tapestry color sampler

Thanks, Theresasc , for the info and encouragement:) many teachers say different things so it's best to figure out what works for you while heeding their cautions like you have, so thanks again!

Tina, I was practicing some techniques for " Patagonia" glad you thought it looked like sunset on reflected water:)

i'm kicking myself for not bringing my Carol Russell book with me for more ideas! Today I've started pick and pick. Three hours I have almost an inch woven, not complaining , I love the whole thing! So I have great plans for this sample, probably take me 4 days of weaving just sessions 2-3 hrs. We're traveling tomorrow , no weaving:( but after that we stay put for 8 whole days!!!!!

this is what I did this afternoon.

 P.S. Forgot to mention chiné and mélange in there too.

Wed, 02/10/2016 - 22:38

Artistry

What are some of you doing? Love to see !

Cathie

Sat, 02/13/2016 - 17:54

Artistry

Pick and pick tapestryPick and pick tapestry

This is what I did this a.m. Not near finished! It's interesting though in the background I was using 3 strands do red violet and 1 med. red violet. In the middle I dropped the med. red violet and you can see the change in the yellow orange from the left hand corner to the center. The center is much more yellow. I can only attribute this to the red violet ' washing out" the light value of the orange, it is so dark in value and so much more saturated.

interesting.pickandpick

Sun, 02/14/2016 - 20:19

theresasc

Okay, here is what I have been up to...

brown and tan shapes

I wanted to try my hand at transparency.  The two bottom images I kept messing up my steps, then I realized to get the shape I was going for, I needed to increase the angle that I was stepping up/down.  I am pleased with the top image - just what I wanted to see.  I am completely amazed at how much fiddling around I had to do to get it to work.  At a couple of points in it I had 8 bobbins working towards and away from each other.  Quite challenging to keep everything straight and balanced.  All in all, a really great excersise in shape building and color work.

Sun, 02/14/2016 - 23:06

Artistry

Theresac, your sample is terrific! So beautifully done. Isn't it interesting how that tan advances in the center diamond when you look at those stripes individually but when you look at the center diamond as a whole, it IS a transparency, soft , blended, new color. Very cool !

Cathie, who is still doing pick and pick........

 

Mon, 02/15/2016 - 14:10

Artistry

I was just reminded about American Tapestry Alliance( ATA) wonderful website for education ; articles , videos

http://americantapestryalliance.org/tapestry-weaving-technique-videos/

have fun looking around!

Cathie

Mon, 02/15/2016 - 20:03

Joanne Hall

To add to your list of wool weft yarns, Faro, 6/1 from Sweden, available from Glimakra USA, comes in 74 colors.  This is the wool that James Koehler recommended.

Joanne

Tue, 02/16/2016 - 01:24

ladymyzt (not verified)

Loom is all warped but not started yet. I have two mirrix, a little guy with shedding device and a Zach!  Zach is busy I am not sure if I put the picture in correctly but that is last one off the loom last year! I am working on a picture of my grandaughter and am really intereated in working on color! Hoping to move to little guy loom and get moving soon! 

Tue, 02/16/2016 - 01:00

ladymyzt (not verified)

Loom is all warped but not started yet. I have two mirrix, a little guy with shedding device and a Zach!  Zach is busy I am not sure if I put the picture in correctly but that is last one off the loom last year! I am working on a picture of my grandaughter and am really interested in working on color! Hoping to move to little guy loom and get moving soon! Have a few ideas in the works. I am hoping this will help me to finish "Millie's Dream" while reading along. 

Tue, 02/16/2016 - 02:47

Artistry

Ladymyzt, thank you for sharing your beautiful work with us! The bird is great, I love it. Millie's Dream is captivating to me too. Not only is it's subject matter interesting but also how you've used color and techniques. Do you decide colors as you go along or do you have a colored / painted piece as well to serve as a guide?

may I ask if those are Earth Magnets you're using to hold up your cartoon ? I usually sew my cartoon on, I've been thinking of trying the magnets. Is there any special way to use them?

Thanks for showing your work. I will be looking forward to seeing your progress.

Cathie

Tue, 02/16/2016 - 19:49

theresasc

What a brilliant idea.  I have to tell you that when I read that this morning, I hightailed it right to Home Depot!  I now have magnets holding my cartoon and am loving it! 

Ladymytz - Lovely tapestries.  I really like your images and use of color, very inspiring.  I am glad that you are along for this ride:-)

Tue, 02/16/2016 - 22:25

Artistry

Pick and pick tapestry

Lol, I'll be going to Home Depot too, Theresasc!

i didn't like the first pick and pick design so I did a second. I'm much happier :) it's 5 mélanges or pue hues depending on the 1/2 pass and the positioning of the color. Although all these hues look like they belong to the yellow green family, the last several passes in the right hand side of the pick and pick blocks is pale yellow.

 

 

Wed, 02/17/2016 - 17:20

theresasc

way the pick and pick colors seem to fade through the color stream - I can imagine what it must look like over lots of inches, really cool effect.

I have to tell you that the Earth magnets rock!  I have a small cartoon that I am using right now with the magnets and they hold rock-solid, but move easy enough up or down depending on my needs.  This is one of the better ideas that I have picked up from other weavers on this site. 

Wed, 02/17/2016 - 22:06

Artistry

That's awesome Theresasc ! i was just looking at the magnets online and they seem to come in different strengths ( including permanant, yikes! What's that about?) what strength did you get?

thanks Cathie

Thu, 02/18/2016 - 03:14

theresasc

Cathie - the packaging does not give any information about strength.  They are listed as "super magnets", nickel plated, 6 to a pack for under U$4.00 at Home Depot.  They are 12mm x 3 mm, I thought that they are a good size.  They probably do not even have any rare earth elements, but they are working fine for my cartoon.

Thu, 02/18/2016 - 16:50

theresasc

transparency - this time with color blends in the weft bundles for the areas were the shapes meet.  The middle shape (purple) is finished.  As I am working through these various techniques I am finding it so surprising the many ways to blend colors, both in the weft bundles and using solid colors against each other.  You can see the new magnets at work tooCool

Feb 18th

Fri, 02/19/2016 - 22:32

Artistry

theresasc, nice !   Your cartoon looks like you're going to have lots of transparencies, can't wait to see ! Are you still working off the Harrisvilles? Good colors:)

No tapestry since the green pick and pick and tomorrow is a traveling day, Home ! I'm ready :)

My plan for tapestry, when I get home, is to start work on Patagonia. I have a little more design work on the cartoon , which I'll post as I go along. Plus the tie up of the loom, then good to go. Patagonia will be my new study, isn't every tapestry? So I'll be posting my progress ( and ripping out !) like I've been doing.

Cathie

Sat, 02/20/2016 - 17:41

theresasc

Yes, I am still working with the Harrisville.  I have starting spitting the plies as Cathie said to do & it works great!  More colors to play with - yippy! 

I have decided that I like the 12/6 seine twine warp better than the 12/9.  I think that the 12/6 has a cleaner and smoother look to it with the weft yarns that I am using.  I guess I will have to a side by side comparision once I am finished with this warp but until then I will just keep weaving on the 12/9.

Sat, 02/20/2016 - 18:46

donna5105 (not verified)

Hi,

I just picked up my tapestry weaving after too long away. I will benefit from any wisdom from those more experienced.  Amazing how "job" gets in the way of weaving and other pleasures.

Donna

Sun, 02/21/2016 - 19:54

Erica J

I know I say this every time tapestry comes up, but I may very well really get tucked into tapestry this time! I have a warp on a loom, so hopefully I can find time to start soon. I'm glad this will be on going for several more months.

Tue, 02/23/2016 - 21:04

Artistry

Hi Donna, Glad to have you here ! Erica, we may get you hooked this time:)

I got the heddles all threaded on my big loom and started drawing on the lower part of the cartoon which I thought was finished:) Everything is coming along nicely, I should have pix tomorrow of this weeks progress.

Cathie

Wed, 02/24/2016 - 13:14

Penny Skelley (not verified)

Everyone is doing such lovely work. Ladymyzt, you are very talented--your tapestries are beautiful.

I am stuck in end-of-the month work rush this week. I stopped tapestry practicing the week before to start warping my big loom. I have had a countermarch loom for 3 years now and have never warped it--decided it was time.

I did pick up some Faro and Paternayan yarns to use and am still planning on dyeing the white yarn that I have. And picked up some magnets at HD on Saturday. Will start working on hatchures (sp?) next week.

 

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