For a soy silk painted warp I am beaming, I decided to purchase color aid papers. Which led to this discovery I am interested in trying-Josef Albers Interaction of Color app for Ipad which Yale University Press released to mark the 50th anniversary of the original text book.
To get ideas I usually look at weaving magazines, drafts, internet weaving photos, fashion magazines, any kind of fabric. I usually make scarves, shawls and wearables. A couple of years ago I was inspired by some necklaces to design a scarf. There is so much inspiration everywhere! Sometimes I start with color - and sometimes I start with a weaving draft. Sometimes I start by wondering if something is possible and then work on doing it.
When I feel the need to look for inspiration I look at old weaving magazines or books. The important thing is to play!
I agree with Stephanie, the important thing is to play! I like to take photos of nature, moss, rocks, flowers, butterflies etc. i then get out my color aid papers ( a high quality colored paper that comes in a set of over a 100 colors I would guess, or colored pencils and water colors ) and sort out the colors of the photo I really like. I start cutting out strips of colored paper remembering color theory and proportion of size and color, and work until I either have a pleasing stripe or block sequence ( designing for the floor loom, tapestry process is diff. For me) I also choose tints and tones of the colors in the photo. I then go through my yarn stash looking for colors and TEXTURES. Oftentimes I don't have the right colors but I can get the right colors. I also start thinking about weave structure .
i also go to as many museums as possible and study how artists use color! proportion and texture. I also find inspiration from old Chinese vases, Native American Craft and art and Pacific Northwest cedar boxes dancing blankets and drawing style.
Submitted by Erica J on 
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While prepping to dye soy silk weft
For a soy silk painted warp I am beaming, I decided to purchase color aid papers. Which led to this discovery I am interested in trying-Josef Albers Interaction of Color app for Ipad which Yale University Press released to mark the 50th anniversary of the original text book.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/interaction-color-by-josef/id664296461?mt=8
Would love to try it, if I had an Ipad :(
However, I do love the Grid'N WeavIt software.
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To get ideas I usually look at weaving magazines, drafts, internet weaving photos, fashion magazines, any kind of fabric. I usually make scarves, shawls and wearables. A couple of years ago I was inspired by some necklaces to design a scarf. There is so much inspiration everywhere! Sometimes I start with color - and sometimes I start with a weaving draft. Sometimes I start by wondering if something is possible and then work on doing it.
When I feel the need to look for inspiration I look at old weaving magazines or books. The important thing is to play!
Stephanie S
I agree with Stephanie, the
I agree with Stephanie, the important thing is to play! I like to take photos of nature, moss, rocks, flowers, butterflies etc. i then get out my color aid papers ( a high quality colored paper that comes in a set of over a 100 colors I would guess, or colored pencils and water colors ) and sort out the colors of the photo I really like. I start cutting out strips of colored paper remembering color theory and proportion of size and color, and work until I either have a pleasing stripe or block sequence ( designing for the floor loom, tapestry process is diff. For me) I also choose tints and tones of the colors in the photo. I then go through my yarn stash looking for colors and TEXTURES. Oftentimes I don't have the right colors but I can get the right colors. I also start thinking about weave structure .
i also go to as many museums as possible and study how artists use color! proportion and texture. I also find inspiration from old Chinese vases, Native American Craft and art and Pacific Northwest cedar boxes dancing blankets and drawing style.
I could go on and on, interesting topic!