I would like to propose a new Weave Along (WAL) for the backstrap group starting mid-August to September. We will see what you all think about the start date but I figured giving a lot of notice would be good as many people are on summer hols and there are also those who will need time to get their looms together.

 

Jennifer (jordanj) and I have been talking and we have two ideas which we can run as WALs together.

 

ONE: A plain-weave color and stripes challenge.

No pick-up, just a plain warp-faced weave. There are many cool designs that can be incorporated in the warping. Once the loom is set up, it's all plain weave and your design magically appears on its own. Combs, spots, checkerboards, horizontal and stripes can all be set up as you wind your warps. Challenge yourself with colors, using and combining those that you wouldn't normally, and see what you can create. 

This could be a nice project for some of those handspun yarns that people have been making in the Tour de Fleece. Get used to using handspun without having to fuss over pick up.

We can post some starter warping plans and then set up a file of the different warping arrangements as people come up with new ideas. This will be a great resource for everyone.

Here is what esmecat wove in a similar WAL we ran on Weavolution ages ago.

She made this piece into a backstrap. Here are some other small pieces and ideas for these "warped designs".

 

Several bands can be sewn together to create nice bags and pouches.

TWO: Use a rigid heddle segment on your backstrap loom to create a balanced weave piece. Make a scarf or sew your piece into something useful. Rigid heddle segments can be bought here.

Look at what fiberdance1 just completed as a first-ever backstrap project using a rigid heddle segment.

Let us know if you are interested in joining in or need help gathering the pieces to make your loom.To think about:
  • Make sure you have a stable set up for making your warp.
  • Choose suitable yarn. Not all yarns are good for the warp-faced weaving in proposal #1. There is more freedom in the yarns you can use in proposal #2.
  • Find a stable place to attach the end of your warp and make sure that you are comfortable. Try different places and angles of warp to see what suits you best.
If in doubt, ask questions! We are all here to help. :-)

 

 

 

Comments

Fri, 09/16/2011 - 21:48

bolivian warmi

Well we didn't get a single taker for this weave along here but the WAL is in fact in progress elsewhere so I thought I would post some pictures so you can see what the backstrappers have been up to. Maybe you will be inspired to get some sticks together and join in.

This WAL is all about plain weave and we have experienced backstrap weavers as well as beginner participants taking up the challenge to create pieces using color, stripes and textures.

Janet is using a rigid heddle to create a balanced plain weave shawl using a variety fo indigo dyed fiber.


Bobbie has gone for bright stripes and an "ant" stripe in cotton while Jennifer plays with stripes in her homespun natural colored wool.


Fiall made a backstrap.


Aunt Janet started from scratch washing, dyeing, combing and spinning her fiber and has several projects going.


Karri made a backstrap and Anna, who bought some alpaca yarn while cycling through Chile has warped her project.


Kareann, who volunteers in Guatemala and has a lesson or two in backstrap weaving each time she visits is working on this lovely wide warp with ikat strips.


Marsha made a prototype for a cotton back scrubber in a balanced weave. She did not use a reed or rigid hedle and Phil is weaving his homespun painted wool warp in a balanced weave also without the aid of reed or rigid heddle.


Marsha and Amber wove these beautiful pieces which will be sewn into seat covers, bags or Xmas card holders...yet to be decided!


Peg is our newest weaver and is making great strides on her first band learning all about how to lay in the weft and keep her edges straight.

Jentide made this fabulous mini tote bag. The straps were woven on her inkle loom.


Cindy and Dyggvi are making narrow bands.


Dyggvi added a zip to her acrylic band and made an unusal zip purse with it.


I made four colorful striped pieces in cotton.


And then sewed them into zippered purses.


 Blomster made a band used a small rigid heddle to make a small balanced piece and also wove a wall hanging based on a textile she bought in Oman on her RH loom. 


Kathi used her homemade rigid heddle on her backstrap loom to weave a scarf using her handspun beaded alpaca yarn.

Jennifer, Janet and Sylvie have all just warped colorful stripe projects in cotton. Both Janet and Jennifer have been influenced by Gauatemalan textiles.

And I do hope I haven't forgotten anyone!! Franco owes us a four-selvedge cotton towel and I know he is working on that. We are still all weaving along with new projects being warped up every day. Some people are now doing their second and even third ones. 

I will post more updates in the days and weeks to come.




Sat, 09/17/2011 - 16:48

francorios (not verified)


This is a plainweave backstrap project I started a couple of months ago. It's about 11 inch wide by 24 inch long. I needed to get it finished so I can start the next one for the Weavealong.

I twined the edge of my warp and tied it to the beams so I could have a finished edge when I was done. The main yarn is white with pale red and blue color spots. I tried weaving some yellow/orange/white weft to make it more exciting, but it really wasn't a good combination, so I went back to usinge white/red/blue.

The piece of yardstick and two clamps is my temple to help keep the edges from pulling in. It is definitely helping. It is easy to set and to move.

Above I started from one end then turned it around and started again toward the middle. As I get closer to the middle there is less room so I start using narrow shed sticks made by cutting a paint stick lengthwise and sanding it. I am using a thin dowel as a shuttle stick. Soon it will be too narrow for those sticks.


When it gets too narrow, I pulled the sticks and I am using an afghan hook (a long crochet hook) to weave through and pull through. As you see there is some uneven weaving leaving a bigger gap on the right than on the left.


As I pull the yarn through I use a fork to beat the weft. After the last yarn is pulled through, I start shifting the weft down to spread out and fill the weft gap.


Here I am untying the beam so we can see the finished edge. You can see a little bit of the twining I used where I first started the edge. The edges are a little bit "loopy" but it should tighten up on the wet finishing (machine wash and dry).


Here is the piece off the loom. There is some loose threads to be woven in with a needlepoint needle. There is a lot of rough edges on the sides. There is some narrowing in the middle where I finished. I am not especially happy with it. The goal was to have 4 finished edges.And I did that.

Now to move onto the next one.

Have a good day!
Sat, 09/17/2011 - 19:45

bolivian warmi

Thanks Franco for joining in! We are eagerly awaiting your four-slevedge weave along project.

Mon, 09/19/2011 - 05:13

francorios (not verified)


I started the warp for the next project. I am using a hand made warping frame made from bamboo bought from the garden shop for $3.00. These are six foot long and my cross pieces are a few inches from each end so I have a five and a half foot long piece. I am using an acrylic microfiber (Oralon) with very little stretch and no fuzziness. I am hoping it will work well on a back strap piece.



In this picture you can see the lashing done on the corners. The lashing doesn't take long at all. After I lash my warp to the end beams I'll untie the corners. Next time I'll try to avoid the knots at the joints of the bamboo because the yarn hang up on it. Some sandpaper helps, but I need to look for smoother sections of bamboo next time.

That's all for tonight.
Have a good day!

Sun, 10/02/2011 - 14:25

bolivian warmi

The plain-weave weave-along is still going and I will show you a few more things that the backstrappers have been making....

This is Jennifer's new backstrap. She based the pattern on Bedouin textiles and finished the ends with weft twining and braids. 

Amber sewed her two bands into this fabulous tote bag.

Peg and Cindy made their first bands. Cindy used her handspun. Ellen and Jenny made backstraps. Jenny used Ruth's semi rigid heddle on her backstrap loom.

Tracy finished her balanced weave band, made it into a pouch and is now edging it with a herringbone stitch.

And there is still more to come....another day!