Can you believe it, another month come and gone. Time for a new check in thread. Everyone is being so productive, keep up the good work. Weave on! Tina

Comments

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 12:56

endorph

last night. allergies were acting up and I was coughing and sneezing up a storm - really ddn't feel like doing anyhting but vegging on the couch - which the dogs loved. Hopefully will get some weaving done this evening and weekend. I want to put a warp on my baby tapestry loom and pratice some of the techniques I learned last week!
Fri, 03/08/2013 - 15:32

sally orgren

We didn't get any snow from storm #1 on Wednesday, but we got more than anticipated last night. I am waiting for it to stop, so I can shovel our double black diamond driveway.

And I am still waiting for yarn to arrive so I can weave off the architectural-inspired fabric. Exchange samples are starting to arrive, and I have travel scheduled that will take me away from my looms. Arghh. If only it would come today, I could get a great jump start this weekend.

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 21:06

ReedGuy

No weaving today, had to deal with boxes and boxes of fine china dishes.

Fri, 03/08/2013 - 21:24

Leslie M (not verified)

Managed another half yard on the alpaca shawl today. Plan to finish tomorrow, twist the fringe and wash so I can take it to guild meeting Monday. Hope it's dry by Monday!
Fri, 03/08/2013 - 22:57

endorph

drying rack ReedGuy. After waiting for the plumber I took a nice long nap - still not feeling great but think I will try and get a few inches woven on the dish towels this evening.
Fri, 03/08/2013 - 23:20

ReedGuy

I used it last week on her maiden voyage. I had it fully loaded with 2 wash loads, worked great. Was pleased. Can't wait to weave more blankets. Actually soon starting a cotton bed spread with one of my drafts posted earlier this winter. Then a couple table cloths and more runners.

I better get to work. :D

Sat, 03/09/2013 - 01:50

Leslie M (not verified)

It's a beauty reed guy!
Sat, 03/09/2013 - 11:23

Artistry

ReedGuy,Wish I had one of those plus as Leslie M said it's a beauty! Weaving, weaving, weaving! The tea towels are coming along nicely, I'll work on them again today. I warped the Tap. Loom yesterday, so today I'll get the foundation all set, cartoon sewn in and then....I get to start! Also start sewing the Rose Tapestry onto it's mount, it's going into a local exhibit if I can get it done in time. Busy, it's all good!
Sat, 03/09/2013 - 12:46

endorph

did you tell us what the new tapestry is going to be?
Sat, 03/09/2013 - 18:47

endorph

pansies - was thinking about trying to tackle one myself - but first I think a bit more practice on the basics!
Sat, 03/09/2013 - 19:32

Weavejoyforall

Each day a few more lines are woven,each day a new pattern emerges Life is warped from day one, each day it changes and grows as new weft is added by living. Each day.  Dear Lord, help me keep the weaving right.

Sat, 03/09/2013 - 21:33

ReedGuy

I've been experimenting with a wool singles 6/1 warp in the centre, acrylic warp 6/2 to the outsides and wool weft singles 6/1. Those are approximate, the wool is 1/16" and the acrylic is 1/8" thick. The set in the centre is 16 epi and I used a doubleweave on the outter 2 inches hinged to the inside with a set of 8 epi (doubled to 16 epi for weaving). Hope that makes sense. :)

Here's the top shed.

Bottom shed, goes full width.

Hinged inside a couple inches

On top.

Notice that I didn't put much thought into the middle weave structure for this experiment. Meaning I didn't give much thought to the treadling sequence. I was mainly killing two birds with one stone by experimenting with mixed yarn types and sizes and doubleweave. I want to see how the edge behaves when wet finished and dried.

My first shot is on the bottom shed and I start on the right and go all the way across to the left. To go from the bottom shed to the top, I treadle the bottom shed open on another treadle and enter the shed but emerge from the roof of the shed at the hinge, I weave 4 shots on the top shed, then open the bottom shed and dive back down to the bottom shed. Another treadle on the bottom shed and a shot to the far side. Same process on the other side. The hinge is at the acrylic/wool edge beteen the two yarns.

I'm going to do a few more inches and then go on to other things. :)

Sat, 03/09/2013 - 21:55

Artistry

Very intriguing ReedGuy. It will be interesting to see how this cloth behaves once you've finished the finishing process. I would expect some shrinkage differential because of the wool and acrylic, and the acrylic being doubleweave is thick. I can't wait to see what happens! Experiments are good fun:)
Sat, 03/09/2013 - 21:59

ReedGuy

I'm hoping for it not to lay flat on the outter edges actually. :)

Sat, 03/09/2013 - 22:03

Artistry

Yes I think it might sort of ripple
Sat, 03/09/2013 - 22:46

Erica

We're still unpacking boxes. I'm hoping my Mastering Weave Struvtures will spring forth from a box tomorrow. I had to do some site admin today. I also loaded every issue of Handwoven from 1996-2011 on my iPad! I'm ready for any number of international lights or long traffic jams!
Sat, 03/09/2013 - 23:01

Leslie M (not verified)

Interesting experiment ReedGuy. Monday starts a workshop with Jennifer Moore on the basics of double weave. Hope she allows time for experiments. Your pictures are great by the way.
Sat, 03/09/2013 - 23:30

sally orgren

Reedguy, this looks like the kind of thing I like to try! "What if" warps are the most fun.

My yarn *finally* came in today's mail for the architectural challenge. Over 800 warps needed in three sizes, and I hope to get the warp wound tonight, then beamed and start threading tomorrow. warping...warping...warping...

And, I made headway on the last (third) fingerwoven band, the lightening pattern. As I was weaving this, I kept thinking "complex weaving doesn't have to include more than 2 shafts, and it doesn't even have to include a loom!" Wow.

Sun, 03/10/2013 - 01:22

Monica Bellas (not verified)

A friend and I have booked tickets for London and Scotland.  Any weaving must-sees in either area?

Sun, 03/10/2013 - 11:15

Artistry

Leslie M, Jennifer Moore came here and although I was out of town and couldn't take it, the people who did, loved it! Nice Sally! Good luck with the warping and beaming, I hope you get a lot done. I can't wait to see the final piece. It's been exciting watching you think though this process. You're right, at least for me, the experiments are the best! Monica, what a cool trip. Do we have a Tartan Group? If you could find tartans being made that would be interesting while in Scotland. I don't know what's up, but this is a lazy morning! I usually have lots of weaving done by now. However today will be Tapestry, I need to get around my colors:)
Sun, 03/10/2013 - 13:42

endorph

dish towel number one yesterday and got my small tapestry loom all warped and ready to go on another practice piece, just need to finish up the cartoon. Might try and get that done this afternoon. Still not feeling great - Think the allergies are trying to turn into sinus infection. . . .
Sun, 03/10/2013 - 14:55

Grethe

I've just finished weaving the dish towels for my sister.The loops are done.

sewing and washing still to be done 

Sun, 03/10/2013 - 18:24

Leslie M (not verified)

Cathie, that's good news! Just loaded the loom etc in the car. Can hardly wait! Monica, the one place I'd like to go most is Scotland! Hope you will post lots of pics of your trip! Sally, glad the yarn came. Endorph, hope you're feeling better. By the way the alpaca shawl is off the loom, fringe is twisted, and it is washed. Just needs to dry and get pressed.
Sun, 03/10/2013 - 20:27

Artistry

Grethe nice dish towels, I like the stripe design.
Sun, 03/10/2013 - 20:51

Grethe

I'll post some pictures on my projekt page later, whwn they are all done

 

Tue, 03/12/2013 - 00:21

ReedGuy

Looks like nice cloth Grethe, very impressive.

Today I begun my bedspread project, winding 8/2 cotton. It's going to be 60" wide. I'm making it to fit Twin. I spend an hour or so today.  It's only 4 yards, but almost 1500 ends.

Nothing like the yarage Cat is working off of, I think she's making 60 yards of blankets. Mind boggling. :D

Tue, 03/12/2013 - 00:24

ReedGuy

I got to looking at my project and realized it's not double weave, it's just a single layer weave at 60". For some reason I thought I was using a four shaft draft. Anyway, back on track here. I guess we'll chalk that error up as a brain fart. Twin bedspread will have to do. :D

Tue, 03/12/2013 - 03:15

sally orgren

I just finished threading the warp for the architectural challenge, 858 ends. I also threaded a hundred or two heddles while helping one of my guildmates this morning prepare for the Jennifer Moore doubleweave workshop. I think this might be a personal "threading" best in a single day. Can't wait to sley tomorrow evening, and then begin weaving and see if this warp will turn out as anticipated! 

 

Tue, 03/12/2013 - 09:35

ReedGuy

That's quite a day for sure. If the yarn is well behaved, like a fine wool one can really do some threading. I slow way down on fine cotton yarn. :)

Tue, 03/12/2013 - 10:09

Artistry

Pansy woes! Ripping out the first petal and starting over this a.m., so behind on everything:( good thing there's 24 hrs. In a day! Way to go, Sally, I feel inspired! Plus everything is so neat and tidy:) ReedGuy, is that bedspread going to be red? Did we see a sample for it a while ago? 1600 ends, way to go for you too:) Enough chit chat, gotta go work!
Tue, 03/12/2013 - 11:08

endorph

warping and threading is making me exhausted! Way to go everyone. Cathie, sorry you have to rip out a petal :( - I found myslef doing lots os unweaving in my tapestry samples!Need to get dressed for work, at the same time wondering if I could call in sick to give myself a weaving day. . . . hmmmmm? Okay I will at least go to work first then decide!
Tue, 03/12/2013 - 11:58

Erica

Beautiful weaving Sally O and Grethe! Sally O that nearly warped loom makes me yearn for a simiar site in my studio!

I've started keeping a design notebook! I did two rough sketches for damask designs this morning. Now I just need to get some actual damask weaving done, so I can understand how to make these designs a reality!

Tue, 03/12/2013 - 12:18

endorph

Erica - the design process is as important as the weaving. With all of the research and design you are doing once you get to weaving things should go smoother (at least that is what I am hoping for!) Tina
Tue, 03/12/2013 - 12:23

Erica

I am hoping this is the case as well. My goal for this year is to keep a design notebook. I have long since wanted to make this a habit! I know it is the next step in becoming a more professional weaver! :)

Tue, 03/12/2013 - 13:20

endorph

keeping notes about my projects. I need to become better at documenting my work - this is true not just with my weaving but with my knitting and other crafts as well. Good luck with the design notebook Erica. Sally I am really looking forward to seeing your architectural weaving - this is a project that has me fascinated. ReedGuy - have fun with the blanket - twin blankets are useful too! Good to see everyone being so weaverly these days!
Tue, 03/12/2013 - 13:37

loomyladi (not verified)

Everyone is being so productive. The projects are inspirational! Thanks Endorph for starting this thread! Perhaps someday I will tackle some tapestry weaving. Heading to the sewing machine for some finish work. This evening's big job will be fitting horses onto my barnloom, keeping fingers crossed! Hoping to be able to start tying heddles! Spent time in the studio rearranging and cleaning yesterday, for some reason the room keeps getting smaller - - -

Tue, 03/12/2013 - 13:43

sally orgren

I DO keep a design notebook with sketches, drafts, colored pencil illustrations, bits of yarns, yarn wraps, and printouts taped to it. Even bits of commercial fabric. In the front of the notebook, I keep a running tab of the heddle count(s) on my most-used looms, and the ypp for my most commonly used fibers. (Stats I need to know when figuring stuff out.)

For this architectural challenge, I started a stand alone notebook just for this project. Ironically, after pages and pages of workaround notes, I found when it came time for the actual threading, everything could be described on a single sheet of paper. (Gee. Now it all looks so simple!)

This warp is all unmercerized cotton, and between the bigger yarns, there are 4 threads of 16/2. (528 warps were 2/16). Those guys took the longest.

P.S. I saw Leslie's completed alpaca/cashmere shawl yesterday, and she now has plans to turn it into a tunic—which will look GREAT!

Tue, 03/12/2013 - 13:54

sally orgren

after this yardage is completed—so I am watching Leslie's and Reedguy's project progress with interest.

----------

Cathie, although it IS frustrating to unweave, I usually learn as much from my unweaving as I learn from my weaving. Richard Sennett had an elegant quote in his book, The Craftsman. It alluded to the appreciation of the maker gained when one was repairing a well-made item. Yes, it will be worth it to redo.

It has also been pointed out to me when I am frustrated by unweaving that I am having three times as much fun for the cost of my materials. (OK. Only an engineer or accountant could make a comment like that. ;-)

Tue, 03/12/2013 - 20:54

Artistry

Sally. Thanks for the good laugh! Plus when I have to redo I tell myself at least I know enough it has to be done!
Wed, 03/13/2013 - 09:51

Artistry

Erica, I'm so glad you brought up the Design Notebook! That's fantastic, and Sally yours sounds packed full of information and creative ideas! I'm going to start one this summer. I use to have one years ago and it really got my creative juices going! This summer I'm also cleaning up my project notebooks as best I can and designing a new system. I'm thinking of getting file cabinets to hold files with samples because they're so bulky, and I have quite a few. Notebooks with sleeves are taking up too much room on my book shelf. What do other people do?
Wed, 03/13/2013 - 10:36

Artistry

One more quick post. Pansie report. I took out most of the first petal, and it looks better, not totally pleased, but better, I'm going forth. I'm working with new yarns so getting to know how to blend them. I use 6 strands of weft for each pass for optimal blending. It seems, As much of my time is spent deciding which colors will go into the weft bundle as weaving the piece! Next time you see a pansy, look and see what a sweet, delicate, colorful, and obstinate little flower it is! We're getting to know each other really well! Funny: my one son would tell me to have a Red Bull, the other son would say have a Beer, my daughter would say Work, Work, Work. I say remember why I do this, I love it, just love it, so I relax and enjoy!
Thu, 03/14/2013 - 23:24

Walkingquail

all of you. I haven't dropped by for a few weeks and I enjoyed catching up. I have been struggling with threading errors on a broken point twill. I have done it successfully before but all that matters is now! I thought I fixed all but after a little weaving I still see one place where the pattern is not complete so I know I have some un-weaving to do again. Its a bit tedious but worth it to see the pattern emerge properly. I know you have all been there. Cathie, pansies are amazing little characters. I once had a cat who liked to daintily bite off the faces of Johnny Jump Ups (which are technically violas) Fortunately they are edible and she enjoyed her salad.Back to my loom.
Fri, 03/15/2013 - 11:59

Artistry

WalkingQuail, too bad about the threading mistakes but glad you discovered them relatively early on! I enjoyed hearing about your cat eating the Johny Jump ups, too cute! I am so excited I have 3 full days to weave so it's Tapestry and Tea Towels and finishing the backs of past tapestries. I only spend 1 hr. at a time on the Tea Towels, problems with my left wrist, so it's a slow go but fun:) Tina, did you end up setting up your tapestry loom? Are you feeling better?
Fri, 03/15/2013 - 12:09

endorph

tapestry loom warped but need to change the sett so hopefully that will happen this evening. I go a bit woven on my towels - one is done and towels number 2 is well under way. I am feeling better - still not 100% but much more in the mood to do things!
Fri, 03/15/2013 - 14:23

endorph

a lot to thread ReedGuy! Looking forward to seeing your blanket take shape
Fri, 03/15/2013 - 14:43

ReedGuy

Yes I do, and today is the first day I actually put my mind to spending some hours at it. The last few days my mind set was on other things. Like hiking 3 miles up to my woodlot, and then hiking in the woods a mile and then in reverse back home. :)

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