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

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 01:53

endorph

very Swedish Sally - this is one of Joanne Hall's towel kits - using - dah dah! Swedish cotton - and being part Swedish meself I am drawn to white blue and yellow!
Mon, 03/25/2013 - 02:10

Joanne Hall

Hi Tina,

It never looked so good!  It is so nice to see a photo of one of my kits on a loom, especially your loom.  That warp was once on my warping reel.

Joanne

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 08:33

ReedGuy

Tina the towels look very nice. Nice even beat to. :)

Sally, you've finally got out of the starting gate on your project. Looking great.

Have of good day all.

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 09:38

Artistry

Tina, those towels are wonderful, I love yellow white and blue! Nicely woven too! Joanne, you make the nicest designed kits! And the tapestry samples that Tina and Karen came back with from your workshop were great! Sally has happy feet! Your project looks awesome, very architectural, beautiful. Glad it's behaving and you're cruising along! Going to try to get my last Towel done this week as well as back of Tapestries( ugh!) before starting the next Tapestry April 1. Get to bring out the camera today and take some pix of flowers:)
Mon, 03/25/2013 - 10:56

endorph

Its been a fun weave. I think I might have to get another kit. I have decided these towels are for me! They are even more special now that I know you! Sally, loving what I am seeing so far. Glad you are off and weaving. Your blanket is looking great ReedGuy. The scarves are lovely Warpology. And Cathie - any idea on what flower for April? Everyone is being so weaverly. Brings a smile to my face.
Mon, 03/25/2013 - 11:23

Artistry

I know Tina, it's inspirational to be on this thread, everyone so busy! Doing such interesting projects! April flower, I don't know. There's this old movie with Alan Alda, where one of the characters photographs vegetables ! Do you remember it? Well they ask her what's next and she replies well I'm thinking About doing groupings, I have an eggplant and a green pepper,I don't know such a big decision . It's hilarious ! I kind of feel like that, lol! Maybe a Dafodil, maybe an Iris, maybe ..... I like some contrast. I think either of those would be a challenge! Sometime I would like to try an orchid, but not sure how I would approach that one yet. Kathe Todd-Hooker wants me to do a Peony, gulp, so somewhere along the line I'll attempt that. Right now it's what I can get a good photo of or can draw. Will let you know!
Mon, 03/25/2013 - 14:49

ReedGuy

Got the heddles and reed threaded today for the bedspread border. Now to tie on and tie-up.....gitty up. :D

Mon, 03/25/2013 - 16:46

Leslie M (not verified)

Looks great, Sally. Especially from that angle. Glad it's working!
Tue, 03/26/2013 - 10:54

loomyladi (not verified)

.....to sit and enjoy my studio. Alas, I will make time this week. I've done a good bit of traveling the past couple of weeks. Thanks to Sally's inspiration I took along my inklette on the last trip and finished off a warp. I think I also recruited another student for my inkle weaving class that starts next week! It looks like everyone is being productive. I must admit that I really like this group, its fun to stay connected with others and their ongoing projects. It is now 6:50 a.m. and I've been up an hour and I don't know why. Perhaps this means I'm supposed to head to the studio?

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 10:54

loomyladi (not verified)

.....to sit and enjoy my studio. Alas, I will make time this week. I've done a good bit of traveling the past couple of weeks. Thanks to Sally's inspiration I took along my inklette on the last trip and finished off a warp. I think I also recruited another student for my inkle weaving class that starts next week! It looks like everyone is being productive. I must admit that I really like this group, its fun to stay connected with others and their ongoing projects. It is now 6:50 a.m. and I've been up an hour and I don't know why. Perhaps this means I'm supposed to head to the studio?

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 11:10

Artistry

Lommyladi! I love working early hours, but I don't work outside the house! Today is different as I have an early a.m. Volunteer job. Warping the small Mirrix this week, so I can take it to Lake Tahoe ( fits in suitcase) so my husband and I can celebrate our birthdays with the kids, it's a big one! Also, taking pictures, designing, drawing, making cartoons, ordering yarns:)
Tue, 03/26/2013 - 15:34

RAPweaver (not verified)

Yes, I'm amazed that March is nearly gone but it's not gone yet! And I still have tons of things on my March To Do list. ACK!

Today I've been weaving on an acrylic warp for a local guild yarn bombing. It's a narrow warp threaded in a point twill variation on 8 shafts, tied up 4/4. I'm using a stick shuttle, which I've come to appreciate as a lovely, elegant tool. Because I'm trying new things I've been manually wrapping the weft around the edge threads as needed to catch. I'm wondering why anyone would think this solution is preferable to using a floating selvedge, which is my usual solution. Comments?

RAP

Tue, 03/26/2013 - 19:00

sally orgren

Or, redesign the draft so that you don't have to use a floater on the edge (if weaving on a multishaft loom, not a RH).

Wed, 03/27/2013 - 11:14

Artistry

Can't find a Daffodil or an Iris, but did come across a star gazer lily, so maybe that will be the one:)
Wed, 03/27/2013 - 12:02

ReedGuy

Blue flag iris. It grows wild here in wetlands. The picture was zoomed so it's not sharp.

Pitcher plant, grows on mossy bogs.

Wed, 03/27/2013 - 13:14

endorph

ReedGuy - I really like the pitcher plant. Cathie - a star gazer lily could be spectacular!
Wed, 03/27/2013 - 13:40

Artistry

gorgeous photos!

Tina, you're right it "could" be spectacular or in my mind, it "could" be a royal mess:)

Wed, 03/27/2013 - 21:27

sally orgren

I too, have trouble estimating how much fabric woven under tension will translate to finished fabric. That is why I bought the (sticky) ruler tape, to compare to the way I usually do it, with a regular tape measure or a string alongside the warp, (none of which capture the small loss realized when the warps go up and down over the wefts!)

The yardage is now off the loom, and into the washing machine this morning! I checked it over carefully, and did not see a treadling error. (Yet.)

Here are the stats so far...

The (sticky) tape ruler, applied to the woven area under tension, measured 97". When the yardage was taken off the loom, the (sticky) tape ruler sort of scrunched up on the fabric as it relaxed, and the same area, measured again with another ruler = 91" So that was a loss of 6" for take up in the length. (5%)

In the width, it was 43" in the reed, and 39" at the front beam. It stayed at 39" when taken off the loom. I wove with a temple. Loss of 4" or 9% for take up in the width.

I expect roughly the same percentage of loss for shrinkage when I wet finish it, perhaps more loss in length than width.

I usually estimate 10% total for cotton, but as this was an unusual structure with really big yarns and floats, so I wasn't sure. My sample sets (woven on a table loom) came out at roughly 20-26% loss in width, and 13-20% in length. So these preliminary take up numbers from the floor loom are smaller than what I saw in the samples.

Stay tuned! (About as much fun as watching eggs boil, right? ;-)

Wed, 03/27/2013 - 23:04

sally orgren

Ok, the numbers are now in: an additional 5.5" loss in width, and 12.75" loss in length after washing (shrinkage). Total for both take up + shrinkage is 23% width, and 19% in length. (Lost nearly 10" in width and 19" length total.)

Both my table and floor loom is rising shed, so that is consistent. The differences probably happened due to a slight change in my smallest fiber between the samples and the final, my beat between a table and floor loom beater (the weight & force), and temple use. 

The fabric looks and feels great! If I didn't have to cut it up into 32 generous samples, I would make this a summer cotton couch or porch blanket! With the remainder, I should be able to make couch pillows at the standard 16 X 16" size, getting two pillows across the warp.

Wed, 03/27/2013 - 17:37

ReedGuy

I think I read a post by Sara recently where cloth from two style looms were compared. The countermarche and counterbalance floor looms make sturdier denser cloth than looms with rising sheds. That is probably the difference you see in take up.

Thu, 03/28/2013 - 00:20

Artistry

Awesome Sally, well worth the effort!
Thu, 03/28/2013 - 06:41

Grethe

Beautiful, you have to do another piece for pillows.

Thu, 03/28/2013 - 06:56

Grethe

I finished 12 placemats yesterday. Sewing and washing and then some photos.

Thu, 03/28/2013 - 07:20

ReedGuy

Yes, there's always that chore of sewing. Sigh... :)

Thu, 03/28/2013 - 19:00

Monica Bellas (not verified)

Beautiful cloth, Sally.  I would enjoy weaving so much more if sewing wasn't involved.  I've got two sets of warp for towels that's waiting for a date with the sewing machine.  Maybe I can talk my mom into doing it for me while she's visiting this weekend!  :)

Thu, 03/28/2013 - 19:39

sally orgren

I have several sewing projects lined up...

Thu, 03/28/2013 - 20:24

ReedGuy

I have my mom recruited, but she's behind. So I have grandmother's Kenmore in action. She's 70 this April, said she's officially an old woman now. I'm all done that kind of thing she said. I just picked her and father up today from a bus trip to Murtle Beech. No, they live 40 minutes from me. :D

Thu, 03/28/2013 - 23:09

sally orgren

Tina, I am so glad you started this regular feature. You all carried me thru when I was traveling a lot, not weaving and just lurking. Now I am inspired to keep going!

Back to the whacky dishtowel warp with the lazy shed...(1/2 of the warp is unthreaded, just floating in the middle of the reed.)

I realized a few problems with my set up, one being extra heddles were crowding the selvedges, preventing a consistently clear shed for plain weave. I had to cinch them to the edges of their shaft to pull them out of the warp path.

The greater problem is that I needed a temple, and this warp fell at a width not represented by my limited collection. So I ordered one today, but guild mate Jerri Shankler reminded me about making one, and being anxious to continue my weaving momentum, I gave it a shot after work tonight.

So what do you all think of real temples vs this makeshift kind? (Yes, that's one pound of water weight off each side.) 

I also want to give a big thanks (again) to Weavo member Slipstream, who is responsible for that wonderfully shiny and straight rod at the front on my Wubby loom. (The ongoing kindness of the Weavo community is amazing!)

Thu, 03/28/2013 - 23:07

warpology

I'm with you Reed guy. If it just came off the loom finished... ah to dream.  Due to back problems I can't hem stitch anymore! I've taken sewing in high school, college and still have problems. I'm planning to take a serger course so I can finish edges better. I would rather weave!!

Thu, 03/28/2013 - 23:50

endorph

the sewing! Sally - I have enjoyed this group as well - I must confess to some selfishness ins tarting this group because I needed the inspiration and the push to keep motivated. On the temple questions I have tried the homemade type and it has worked okay but I really like the real ones too - I have noticed a big improvement in the eveness of my beat aswell as my selvedges. But when you don't have the size temple you need the makeshift ones work fine. Re-reading this post I am wandering a bit but. . . my only excuse is the exhaustion I am feeling after almost 2 hours at the dog park! NOw to weave. . .
Fri, 03/29/2013 - 04:16

Weavejoyforall

I am taking some advice and nursing my little ganglon cyst for a bit by taking a break from weaving ... (DANG IT!)  but my brain is already weaving ...lol    I'm planning a 4 color warp for a scarf.  Of Caron Acrylic yarn for both warp and waft. my little loom can take only 38 ends in its cute little red 7.5dpi heddle or so( not to sure if thats the right size) since it was last made in sweden in the 1990s.  Not an american made heddle at all nor is it an actual modern sized heddle since it was made as a "TOY" loom.   Colors  Pagoda (dark teal), Bone (sandy tan), Rose (actually a sort of dusky rose color) and Autum Wine (Burgandy). 

It would go 4 teal, 4bone,4rose,4wine,2teal,2bone,2teal,then the reverse of the first 4 to the ending as it began in 4 teal. it sounds like it might be pretty doesn't it ?

Fri, 03/29/2013 - 11:54

Artistry

Weavejoyforall, the scarf colors sound lovely! It's fun to design, what color will your weft be?

I've taken dozens of photos of stargazer lilies so hopefully I'll be able to come up with a design for a tapestry.

Have a road trip, I'm not driving so plan on doing a lot of hand sewing on the tapestries on route, yay, maybe I'll finally get them done! Presentation is in 3 weeks, gulp!

Tina, I'm so happy about this thread too! I love talking about what I'm doing, people get it, I also love hearing what everyone else is doing, it motivates me!

Fri, 03/29/2013 - 18:08

Monica Bellas (not verified)

Sally, I think my mom would object to being "rented out."  ;)  But nice try!

Sat, 03/30/2013 - 07:32

Weavejoyforall

Cathie   was going to experiment a bit on the color for the weft I think maybe do all four color yarns in order of warp ? maybe?

Sun, 03/31/2013 - 02:52

endorph

rough sleying some more dish towels - another kit from Joanne Hall - it will give me something to work on while I plan out a warp for some fabric to make an apron from. I have several large cones of a 80% cotton 20% tencel mix that I think I will use. I have made a couple of scarves out of it and it feels good - think it will make a nice fabric to construct a garment from. Still working on my small tapestry - bought a couple fo more colors of wool to use in it. Hoping everyone who observes it, has a great and joyful Easter.
Sun, 03/31/2013 - 08:24

ReedGuy

Now that the bedspread is done, I will be working on one of two tablecloths next. I beleive I will begin with my goldenrod draft with yellow warp, orange weft, 16/2 cotton.

Sun, 03/31/2013 - 08:56

Artistry

Weavejoyforall, playing with the weft colors is so much fun! Have a good time! Tina, we always need a few more colors for our tapestries:) ReedGuy, the Goldenrod draft looks perfect for a tablecloth! Another exciting project of yours to watch! I'm in Michigan for some R&R, brought sewing and tapestries with me.
Sun, 03/31/2013 - 17:38

sally orgren

I just ordered it from Yarn Barn on Thursday afternoon and it arrived Saturday in New Jersey. (It came from Kansas. I appreciate Yarn Barn and the USPO's quick service!) To celebrate Easter, I plan to work on the dishtowel warp today.

Friday eve I experimented with the treadling options and discovered a threading error near the left edge on one of the blocks. I also decided to remove the Bronson lace areas along the two outermost stripes, so there was less draw in at the edges of the towel. After pulling the sample, rethreading and retensioning, I plan to measure and wash half of the sample to determine initial take up and shirinkage estimates. Then weave on! I started this project idea in April of 2012, so gee, I'd love to finish it within a YEAR.

Sun, 03/31/2013 - 18:46

Erica

I enjoyed the discussion on various ways to measure as you weave. It's a bit cheeky, but when I go to Ikea I stock up on their paper tape measures. I pin these on as I weave. I've experimented with measure up and down, aka how many inches I've woven versus how many I need to weave. Sometiems I'm in the move to see the numbers go up sometimes to see them go down.

We went out of town to EasterCon 2013. One of my favorite things about conventions is the unique textiles and clothing designs. I definintely got some great ideas to sketch up  this week for future reference. This will give me something to plan once I get the drawloom set up.

See you all next month, haha.

Erica

Sun, 03/31/2013 - 18:50

Monica Bellas (not verified)

Wet finished a scarf for a friend yesterday, wove another scarf off the loom, and sleyed for a rug.  Whew!  Pretty good for one day's work.  Enjoy your Easter Day, everyone.

Sun, 03/31/2013 - 19:11

Erica

That's one way to finish out the month Monica! Thanks for the well wishes.

Sun, 03/31/2013 - 21:42

ReedGuy

Got my warp spools all wound for the tablecloth, over 1900 ends on this one. 60" wide in the loom.

Time to eat and recline. I'm tired, wa sup at 4 am. Not to weave, just an early riser. :D

Sun, 03/31/2013 - 22:09

endorph

full day at church - my choir sang three pieces, inaddition I was playing organ for us today and taught Sunday School! After a short nap and a quick bite to eat I am going to try and get the dish towel warp beamed on and start threading heddles. Only 480 ends and a straight draw so shouldn't take too long. I've already posted the thread for April - in case I forgot tomorrow - so at midnight start using the April thread! Is it April already?????
Mon, 04/01/2013 - 00:04

sally orgren

Not sure I could throw 60".

And 1900 heddles is impressive. (I think I "only" have 1200-1300 on my biggest floor loom.)

It's 8 p.m. and I think I am tossing the shuttle in for the night. Catch up with everyone in April!

Mon, 04/01/2013 - 00:23

endorph

are looking wonderful Sally - I am really liking this pattern. I love all the detail you porvide us on each of your projects. ReedGuy I get tired just reading what you are up to - I love all of your projects. Happy evening all - and I will see you all tomorrow - No fooling!
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