Comments

Mon, 09/12/2011 - 11:26

Liese (not verified)

"and knot the fringe,"

If I understand what you wrote correctly if you don't twist the fringe (or hem)  but leave the chenille ends hanging, over a shortish period of time only the core thread will be left - the soft, small bits will fall out.  I couldn't tell from your other photo for certain if the ends were twisted, but I didn't think so. Just didn't want you or the girls to be disappointed.

Liese

 

Mon, 09/12/2011 - 16:16

woolgirl (not verified)

Hi Liese, Thanks so much for your suggestions. I am a relatively new weaver, and appreciate any advice.

I learned to do rayon chenille scarves from a pattern kit from Jane Stafford Textiles. I didn't mention it, but yes, they are hem stitched while still on the loom. Following along with the given JST instructions, she points out that at her studio, they do a knotted fringe on their scarves,  they don't twist them because they always worm out and look terrible. I've done several of her patterns or kits and have never been disappointed as long as I follow the directions. Thanks again!!

Mon, 09/12/2011 - 18:47

Liese (not verified)

That's interesting, what are you doing to prevent the chenille from shedding?

Liese

Mon, 09/12/2011 - 18:53

woolgirl (not verified)

It doesn't seem to be an issue - perhaps it's the quality of the materials?

Tue, 09/13/2011 - 00:02

Su Butler

How are you "washing" these scarves woolgirl?? 10 epi is really far to open a sett to use with rayon chenille, unless that chenille has some synthetic content. Any typically chenille fringes that are knotted and not twisted or braided will very rapidly shed their pile, leaving a rather ugly fringe of dangling strings. If you are not experinecing any of these issues, I am wondering if you are wet finishing your pieces. The only chenille I know of that can stand that kind of treatment is chenille made partially or fully of synthetic yarns. Do you know the fiber content of the yarns you are using?? I am not telling you all of this to criticize, only to warn you to the things that can happen if chenille is not handled properly. 1450 ypp, 100% viscose (rayon) chenille cannot be woven at 10 epi and stay together. The warp and weft threads will worm out of the body of the cloth, and the fringes will disintigrate. That makes me believe your threads have some synthetic content......just wondering and hoping you do not suddenly find yourself having all kinds of issues. Best, Su Butler
Tue, 09/13/2011 - 00:05

Su Butler

One other thing I just thought of.....what size is the rayon chenille?? I am thinking it must be heavier than 1450 ypp.
Tue, 09/13/2011 - 02:18

woolgirl (not verified)

Hi Su,

I always appreciate input, and I'm the type that would rather get it right, than be right, so thank you for taking the time to write me about this. The materials for the pink rayon chenille scarves comes from Jane Stafford's studio and can be viewed on her website - 100% rayon, 1300 yd/lb, and following her pattern, it was sett at 10 epi/10ppi. After hem stitching, the bundles of fringe were knotted at the ends - I didn't get them exactly even on the last scarves, but will try to do better this time. They were hand washed in warm water w/ mild soap for 3 minutes. I rinsed until the water was clear, then layed them across patio chairs to dry in the sun. They were then placed in the dryer for 1 min. on reg. heat. This is all as per the JST instructions. The rayon for the blue scarves is also 100% rayon. Same yds per lb.

It might be worth mentioning that after they came out of the dryer, the fringe becomes a bit distorted and the knots need to be pulled, and the instructions warn of this possibility. When the knots are pulled again, the fringe seems to do it's own twist within the bundles, and perhaps that helps stablize it??

I'm fortunate that I live just one island over from Jane, and she has been extremely generous in helping me. I have gotten several of her patterns and kits and couldn't be happier with the quality, attention to detail and of course the end product. 

Thanks again for writing, I really appreciate it!

 

Finished Length Unit
yards
Finished Width Unit
yards
Length Off Loom Unit
yards
Length on Loom Unit
yards
Notes

My oldest daughter is getting one of the pink rayon chenille scarves for Christmas, and her roommate loves blues and teals, so one these will be for her roommate! I just finished weaving the 2nd one this afternoon, so I'm ready to cut these off the loom and knot the fringe, wash and finish them.

Number of Shafts
4
Number of Treadles
6
Project Status
Finishing
Sett Unit
epi
Width off Loom Unit
inches
Width on Loom Unit
inches