Sat, 06/13/2009 - 11:16

MRD (not verified)

I also don't feel comfortable with my drawing skills.  I use photographs mostly.  I also don't have very good skills with Photoshop so I tend to print out the pictures and then cut and paste them to my needs. I then rescan them and print them in both color and in grayscale.  Next I take my copy to Kinko's (if necessary) and have them enlarged.  I then trace the main lines of the image and use the tracing paper image to mark my warp.  

I fine the grayscale allows me to see the lines of the image better and decide how to work my colors.  It really helps to see it without the distraction of colors.   I plan to take a course to get acquainted with the Photoshop software since it will make the whole process much easier but for now I use this combination.

I take inspiration from just about anywhere.  The lines of a tumbledown shack at a craft school, an interesting sewer grate or people walking through Penn Station.  I keep my camera in my purse and pull it out whenever I am inspired.  I write down ideas when they strike me and keep them in a file and I tear pictures out of the paper or magazines.  These I also keep in an ideas file. 

Inspiration is everywere it is just a matter of training yourself to see the art in your own environment.  Good luck and keep your eyes open, you will be surprised at what is right in your own community.

 

Sat, 06/13/2009 - 11:16

MRD (not verified)

I also don't feel comfortable with my drawing skills.  I use photographs mostly.  I also don't have very good skills with Photoshop so I tend to print out the pictures and then cut and paste them to my needs. I then rescan them and print them in both color and in grayscale.  Next I take my copy to Kinko's (if necessary) and have them enlarged.  I then trace the main lines of the image and use the tracing paper image to mark my warp.  

I fine the grayscale allows me to see the lines of the image better and decide how to work my colors.  It really helps to see it without the distraction of colors.   I plan to take a course to get acquainted with the Photoshop software since it will make the whole process much easier but for now I use this combination.

I take inspiration from just about anywhere.  The lines of a tumbledown shack at a craft school, an interesting sewer grate or people walking through Penn Station.  I keep my camera in my purse and pull it out whenever I am inspired.  I write down ideas when they strike me and keep them in a file and I tear pictures out of the paper or magazines.  These I also keep in an ideas file. 

Inspiration is everywere it is just a matter of training yourself to see the art in your own environment.  Good luck and keep your eyes open, you will be surprised at what is right in your own community.

 

Sat, 06/13/2009 - 13:40

Cheekyredhead (not verified)

Thank you Terri. If I do say so myself, yes my handspun is wonderful to work with.  If you'd ever like to try some let me know and I'll be happy to share.

Sat, 06/13/2009 - 13:40

Cheekyredhead (not verified)

Thank you Terri. If I do say so myself, yes my handspun is wonderful to work with.  If you'd ever like to try some let me know and I'll be happy to share.

Sat, 06/13/2009 - 13:44

Cheekyredhead (not verified)

Wow, I'm impressed.  I'm going to have to check out the book.

EDIT: I bought the book!  I can't wait for it get here.

Sat, 06/13/2009 - 13:44

Cheekyredhead (not verified)

Wow, I'm impressed.  I'm going to have to check out the book.

EDIT: I bought the book!  I can't wait for it get here.

Sat, 06/13/2009 - 15:00

Janice Zindel (not verified)

The first two posts have not yet been moved to the Forum section, but I'll just briefly start another intro here.  

I have a single unit drawloom that I am setting up for the first time in many, many years.  The loom is together and in my studio.  There are 4,000 string heddles on it, and 400 pattern heddles (with maillons).  The drawcord warp is on and threaded through both reeds.  My next step is to get the lamms and treadles on, tie it up, make the weaving warp, beam, thread, etc., also some designing on graph paper or software.  Then coming the balancing part for a good shed.  I have five weeks left to get all this done and be weaving on it for an upcoming three day art tour.

In the fall, I'll be adding a 20 shaft opphamta attachment to my countermarche loom.  

Looking forward to hearing what everyone else is doing with drawloom weaving.

 

 

Sat, 06/13/2009 - 15:00

Janice Zindel (not verified)

The first two posts have not yet been moved to the Forum section, but I'll just briefly start another intro here.  

I have a single unit drawloom that I am setting up for the first time in many, many years.  The loom is together and in my studio.  There are 4,000 string heddles on it, and 400 pattern heddles (with maillons).  The drawcord warp is on and threaded through both reeds.  My next step is to get the lamms and treadles on, tie it up, make the weaving warp, beam, thread, etc., also some designing on graph paper or software.  Then coming the balancing part for a good shed.  I have five weeks left to get all this done and be weaving on it for an upcoming three day art tour.

In the fall, I'll be adding a 20 shaft opphamta attachment to my countermarche loom.  

Looking forward to hearing what everyone else is doing with drawloom weaving.

 

 

Sat, 06/13/2009 - 15:38

RuTemple (not verified)

O Help?

What, O dear efficient weavers, is the best way to deal with having counted out (and beamed on) too few threads of warp yarn? I misouncted my supplemental warp and have (*ahem*) over ten necessary threads to warp Somehow.

What's the collective wisdom for whether I should roll off and re-beam with the correct count of warp threads, or add them in with weights over the back beam? It's an 18-foot warp, mostly heddled up at this point.

*blushing* but hopeful...Ru

Sat, 06/13/2009 - 15:46

StrandedYarnsUK (not verified)

Hi - I am Shani and a relatively new weaver from Bristol.  I use an Ashford Knitters Loom to convert my handspun, and sock yarn into useful objects. 

A bit confused about terminology, but getting there. 

I also belong to various Guilds of Spinners Dyers and Weavers, and hence the addiction was born. 

best wishes to you all.

 

Shani