Srping has sprung the grass is riz, I wonderwhere the flowers iz? Hope everyone is doing well - best wishes to those in our group recovering from illnesses and surgeries. Another month is upon us - weave on everyone!

Comments

Wed, 04/01/2015 - 14:57

sally orgren

But have my two looms warped for the upcoming JOY workshop, woo hoo!

Diving into 6-shaft Dimity:

Totally tricked out 12-shaft Twill:

To prepare for the workshop, we were provided a skein of variegated JOY yarn and a draft. Participants were then asked to use a contrasting yarn of similar size to weave a few inches to make sure our looms are error-free for this round-robin experience. I suspect what you see is tame compared to the weft options we will be working with. Let the wild rumpus with color begin!

Wed, 04/01/2015 - 16:32

Queezle

Wow, Sally, those are beautiful!  And Tien - how amazing - so happy for you and your loomful life.  Me, I'm still banging out my 10 minutes a day (or striving). 

Good grief - more snow for you on April fool's day?  Hang in there.

Thu, 04/02/2015 - 21:06

ReedGuy

Finished off the weaving of my afghan today, twisting fringe. :)

Thu, 04/02/2015 - 22:55

laurafry

Working on the next shawl. This time a scarlet red. If I can get a decent picture of it I will post when I get started weaving on it. I had hoped that would be today, but lost my round tuit for a couple of hours. ;) Cheers Laura
Fri, 04/03/2015 - 00:05

loomyladi (not verified)

And forgot to take pics, ahhh well, the lovely colors will be waiting on me tomorrow.  Had a fender bender a little over a week ago, basically ok and it wasn't my fault.  It has put a serious damper on weaving time, it seems about 2 1/2 hours a day  and the back starts to spasm.  Yesterday and today I broke it up into 30 min increments and only slightly sore.  Of course, I had to entertain myself at the studio in between so I spent several wonderful hours playing with color.  I'm new to dying and it is a true adventure right now.  This came out of the dyepot last week and sold the same day it went in the store.  This round I went with longer warps, start weaving on them tomorrow!

Fri, 04/03/2015 - 00:30

tien (not verified)

My weaverliness for today got sidetracked when I discovered that you can SCREEN PRINT with katazome paste! I went gleefully off into the dyepots, and that was that for the day. (Katazome paste is a mix of powdered rice bran and glutinous rice flour, mixed together and then steamed for several hours. It's water-soluble, but holds up well enough to allow indigo dyeing and stencil-brush painting, among other things. Wonderful stuff!)

But my weaverliness for tomorrow will be cranking away on that second sea-turtle scarf...the pattern is looking much better in white and blue than in the previous version. Once I'm done with that scarf, I'll weave 34 samples for the Fine Threads Study Group exchange (due in May I think). And that will be it for this warp. The next warp will likely be echo weave...which means I better start reading up on echo weave and cranking out some drafts!

Fri, 04/03/2015 - 15:20

Artistry

Ok some Weaverliness ! I have started watching the Madelyn van de Hooght's Lace weave DVD I mentioned I would give it a little review. I will do another when I'm all the way through. You have to be on your toes to follow along because she moves at quite a clip. Def. for the intermediate weaver, I think. Not knocking her, have all her books ( plus she was one of my examiners, gulp!) but do find, she is so knowledgeable and technical, that she leans toward the advanced in her books. Having fun!
Fri, 04/03/2015 - 23:22

sally orgren

Time for the photo uploads I promised!

Laverne was at the NYGH (New York) last Saturday with a wonderful program, and I met some of their terrific weavers and other visitors, too. As you can see, everyone wanted to examine Laverne's samples after seeing them posted to her blog and project pages.

Last Sunday, the Hunterdon Art Museum in Clinton, New Jersey, arranged for a special talk by guest curator Carol Russell on the exhibition she presented, International Contemporary Tapestry. Below, Carol was telling us about the 2-sided bicycle-tire tapestries woven by Soyoo Park Caltabiano. (The one in the photo was my favorite subject matter out of the five presented.) The show will be on exhibit through May 10th - it is certainly worth a visit if you are in the region! (Displayed on two floors, so don't miss anything.)

Below: I call this "Two Favorites." Always a favorite guildmate Greta and a new favorite - work by Yael Lurie & Jean Pierre Larochette.

Fri, 04/03/2015 - 17:11

Erica J

Officially have a warp on all my looms! I rough sleyed the reed on the 16 shaft table loom this morning. I literally finished that task and walked out the door for our Easter weekend travels. I hope to finish warping and weave a few plain weave napkins between getting back Tuesday afternoon and leaving again next Friday. I'm home the entire time, so we'll see.

Fri, 04/03/2015 - 22:06

laurafry

Got weaving this afternoon.  Colour isn't accurate - more details on my blog.

Fri, 04/03/2015 - 22:06

laurafry

Got weaving this afternoon.  Colour isn't accurate - more details on my blog.

Fri, 04/03/2015 - 23:22

sally orgren

I did not know about that book. I would love to see more of their work, this was my first introduction. I was amazed to learn that you can travel to California and study with them. Wow!  I do know Carol published a book that accompanies this show, and those Schiffer-published books were selling like hotcakes. There are actually two pieces in the show, a second one that is not created by the pair, but rather one of the team partnering with another artist. (Sorry, I don't have the document at hand at the moment to tell you "who" that was.) And Rebecca does a great job posting, but I must have missed this one.

By the way, your name came up on Sunday, too! Your recent tapestry student Jim (from Florida Tropical Weavers Conference) was on his way back to MA, and stopped by to join us. (It was a grand day out all around!)

Sat, 04/04/2015 - 00:47

debmcclintock

Sally, one of Jean and Yael's talented students, Kathleen Pannepacker lives in Philadelphia and is an amazing tapestry weaver, mural artist and community activist. You can start learning about her here http://www.leeway.org/artists/kathryn_pannepacker I have always been fascinated by her ability to connect community activism with fiber art.
Sat, 04/04/2015 - 23:24

ReedGuy

Setting up my loom for a sample of my overshot project. I want to test sett and joining technique of two halves.

Everyone seems busy enough. :)

Got the fringes done on my second afghan. That's as much work as weaving. haha ;)

Sat, 04/04/2015 - 23:59

laurafry

I'm now counting down my run of textured silk shawl warps because it is easier to keep track. Just a few more inches to thread on the twelfth warp left to weave, but it is dinner time so I doubt I will sley tonight. Seems like a good way to start a Sunday. :) Cheers Laura
Sun, 04/05/2015 - 02:19

sally orgren

SMALL world!

At the NYGH meeting I sat next to Susan Weltman, and as we got to chatting (about the Weave a Real Peace conferences and the American Textile Society events), she mentioned she knew you and had roomed with you in the past, and I said "Me too!"

And I just met Karen P at the gallery opening for Micala Sidore's tapestry exhibition in December. She asked some great questions, so I went up to talk with her after the gallery talk concluded. I was able to put her in touch with our programming chair. She will be presenting to one of my guilds within the coming months! FYI, on her website, I love her idea of "Shagging" (a weaver's version of yarn bombing).

Wove over a yard today. At least 7 more to go...

Sun, 04/05/2015 - 02:27

sally orgren

(Oaxaca, Mexico) was the artist who collaborated with Yael Lurie. The piece in the exhibit is Referente Huipil #9, "a collaborative effort by Yael and Luis, refers symbolically to taditional Mexican patterns."

What I liked about both pieces was the initial symmetry and pattern, which upon closer inspection, you realized wasn't repeating at all, and the design had all kinds of interesting variations going on.

Sun, 04/05/2015 - 13:41

Dawn McCarthy

I dug out ikat warp chains from 2 years ago and dyed them, I am in the midst of threading for 2 scarves.  A fast, narrow width project.

Dawn

Bewove

Sun, 04/05/2015 - 16:43

tien (not verified)

Ikat! Dawn, how did you design the ikat patterns? How many bouts are there? I've always wanted to try ikat, but never quite dared...

My weaverliness: I've been working on designing a two-block double weave shawl. Two layers, each 20 shafts (oh, the luxury!). I had fancy ideas about tied weaves, with imagery on each layer, but have been stymied about what images to include. I was going to do a sun and moon, with the sun gold/white and the moon silver/black, but when I simulated the design it looked so cliched that I changed my mind. So now I am back to square one.

I've also decided to clothe my jacquard loom in the jacquard-woven cloth. I don't like the green of the painted sides, and had been considering repainting, but I thought that yarn-bombing my loom would be more fun! I think I will cover the sides with a phoenix design of some sort. Will have to think about how to design it, but since the loom doesn't arrive for another four months at least, I've got plenty of time.

Sun, 04/05/2015 - 17:35

sally orgren

Tien,

How about printing a woven design on adhering plastic of some sort, so you could apply it to the sides of the loom, and easily change it when the mood stikes? I am thinking of that plastic stuff that sticks to windows, or maybe something they use on cars for advertising?

Sun, 04/05/2015 - 20:58

laurafry

Got the next shawl warp on the loom and wove one this morning.  Now to tackle the next...

Sun, 04/05/2015 - 21:28

Dawn McCarthy

Hi Tien, I wound 2 x 2" chains at 6 yards on the warp board and proceeded to wrap them separately, I also made a center warp chain with a different resist tie.  I spaced these with plain color warp chains.  When beaming I did not use any suplementary warp adjusters but just pulled the ends of the chains at the warp rod to "offset" the areas of resist.  I am almost done threading and plan to insert areas of pattern vs plain weave into the sample.  It had been sitting in my studion for 2 years, I finally decided to clean house a little and put the warp chains together.  I used dry cleaning plastic bags as the resist ties and it worked well.  Sorry for the turned photo - this site is extremely hit or miss for photo loading but I think you get the idea.

 

Dawn

 

Mon, 04/06/2015 - 17:03

loomyladi (not verified)

Moved some old coverlets around at the museum I work at.  Thinking I need to find the time to photograph & catalog the patterns.  Spinning for visitors today and we have had a few as locals are on spring break today.  Tonight off to the studio to warp.

 

Mon, 04/06/2015 - 18:59

sally orgren

Can we anticipate you'll be in your usual spot? (If so, I'll come say Hi Saturday morning.)

Mon, 04/06/2015 - 20:29

bjr1957

Hello All,

I am a new weaver just preparing to begin my first major project on my refurbished floor loom.  Going to do the My New Home free pillow pattern from WEBS as a first project.  Did a test strip of weaving to insure that all the additions and repairs to this old loom were sound.  Now for the fun! 

Have a great day!  I know I will!

Barb R.

Mon, 04/06/2015 - 20:40

Artistry

Good for you Barb R! Have a great time!
Mon, 04/06/2015 - 22:02

ReedGuy

Working on a sample overshot today. Just started weaving a shot distance. Looks like 24 epi isn't sett enough, still progressing along in the pattern areas of a whig rose to see how that goes. :)

 

The singles wool weft really packs in well, just a regular beat, not much force. Over 430 heddles for one repeat, 18" wide, 10/2 cotton natural.

Mon, 04/06/2015 - 23:21

tien (not verified)

Thanks, Dawn! That is really helpful, and wow, that looks fantastic!

Tue, 04/07/2015 - 11:58

Artistry

Dawn, That really does look good! I have some beautiful Ikat Tape, from back in the day when I used to do Ikat. but can't remember where I got it from, however , Maiwa in Vancouver, B.C. Looks like they carry the same thing. It looks like the same seal on the out side of the tape. Ikat tapes are not created equal! Some are really cheap and split on you. Dawn's idea seemed to work well, but for a larger piece I'd probably want the tape. I have a Ikat Shifting Box ( from Pauline verbrecht? Someone correct me!) she was doing beautiful shifted work back in the 90's. I could take a picture of the box if you want. Unfortunately I have never used it! My Weaverliness; you won't believe it , but I was able to concentrate long enough to continue warping my tablet loom yesterday! I will continue today. I'm doing the Ram's Horn design which I love, Finca cotton , beautiful stuff. Slow and steady wins the race. At least I can catch my mistakes when I make them:)
Tue, 04/07/2015 - 12:05

Artistry

My unweaverliness; tying on to my Tapestry Rod i did larks head knots all across- simple right? Wrong, gotta redo them all:( I'll be sooooo glad when my brain gets fixed and hopefully the symptoms go away. Surgery dates will be set this week, hooray!
Tue, 04/07/2015 - 15:39

weaver1126

It is Pauline Sergeant, I studied with her and also have a shifting box which I have used many times.

Tue, 04/07/2015 - 15:39

weaver1126

It is Pauline Sergeant, I studied with her and also have a shifting box which I have used many times.

Tue, 04/07/2015 - 17:51

Erica J

Today's weaverliness. ..studying 8 medieval-renaissance textiles taquete, samitum, and damask fragments! More to come later!!!

Tue, 04/07/2015 - 20:05

Artistry

Thank you Weaver1126 ! I only took a seminar from her at Convergence. Then came home and had help building the box. I love how the shifting looks.
Thu, 04/09/2015 - 02:32

Queezle

I must be in a bad mental state, I just kept unweaving and reweaving, and couldn't find my groove.  Do you ever have a day like that?

So I figured I'd stop and, based on the recent discussion of Ikat, photograph a project I made 25 yrs ago.  I really didn't know anything about weaving or Ikat, but fell in love with it and just tried a few things.  I had some mill-end black rayon and mill-end gold rayon.  I used dilute bleach to discharge some of the black color.  I did it in the bathtub - laying the warp out and wrapping areas that I wanted to remain black (with some saran wrap).  Mostly I just tried to control it, though, by applying the bleach to a limited area. 

Then, during threading, I manually shifted the threads.  Its plain weave - now I know that satin would have been even better.  I've been worried that the fiber would fall apart (all that harsh bleach), but so far so good.

Ikat image, black and gold

Thu, 04/09/2015 - 04:51

Artistry

Queezle, I think it's just beautiful the way it is! You have to remember with Satin one side would carry the warp color really well, while the reverse side would be weft predominate / weft sateen. So unless you had an interesting weft going on, the back side could look rather dull:( I like what you did, a happy combination, congratulations!
Thu, 04/09/2015 - 12:00

Artistry

Whoops! Not YOUR piece looking dull, heavens No! Just one of the things Of Satin is to think of the reverse side, the weft, and making it interesting too. Sorry, Queezle, I hope you knew what I meant! Cathie
Thu, 04/09/2015 - 12:29

Artistry

daily weaverliness: a turtle's pace on the tablet loom and I really like my colors, so I get a long look at them :) Tomorrow is Fiber Friday at the Guild House, it's a pot luck and people bring projects to work on. I would like to take my tablet loom all warped and ready to go !

finca thread for tablet weaving

Thu, 04/09/2015 - 13:43

Dawn McCarthy

I am delighted with my ikat scarf warp!  Even more delighted about scoring a small (single head) industrial electric swift and cone winder!  When I say small - it weighs about 100 lbs and sits tall on it's stand.  I am on the verge of setting my drawloom back up as it looks like our house isn't going to sell.

Dawn

Thu, 04/09/2015 - 14:07

ReedGuy

I get a kick out of this fellow weaving on an old 200 year old Scandanavian loom with his Carharts on, outside in winter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lxic_qx55kU

I think he's next door to the dog pound. LOL! :)

Thu, 04/09/2015 - 14:42

bjr1957

First time threading 451 10/2 cotton warp ends.  Going to sley today, 2per dent. Boy!  What have I got myself into?  Oh well!  Off we go!

bjr

Okay, Here Goes

Thu, 04/09/2015 - 17:26

laurafry

Nearing the half way mark in the run of 18 warps of shawls - I have to count to be sure.  It has been soothing to not have to think, just do.  :)  All the warps are now wound - all that's left is to weave (then knot the fringes, wet finish, trim, tag).  Piece of cake!  :^)

cheers,

Laura

Thu, 04/09/2015 - 19:11

Erica J

Today's weaverliness has mostly been dyeing with logwood. I prepared 3 dyebaths from the same wood chips and used them on 2 lots of wool yarn. Photos below:

Dyebath 1 the larger skein is hamdspun from a friend

Dyebath 2 just regular wool


Thu, 04/09/2015 - 20:15

ShawnC

Beautiful colors. And I love a weaver with a woven fence ;-)

Thu, 04/09/2015 - 22:25

sally orgren

Queezle, your ikat piece is incredibly well-designed. I think most folks would have been happy just to have an expanse of ikat, but the outlined striping and varied stripe size really makes this a spectacular piece.

bjr1957, just keep going. One of my early projects was an 11 yard warp of 20/2 cotton, because I didn't know any other weavers at the time, and no one told me I shouldn't or couldn't. It came out great!

Erica, the logwood is beautiful and I concur with ShawnC about the fence!

Speaking of dyeing, I just received advance notice about the Coverlet College in Bedford, PA this fall. They are bringing in the natural dyer from Colonial Williamsburg on the Friday of the conference weekend.

Fri, 04/10/2015 - 02:36

tien (not verified)

Bjr1957, keep going! The only difference between doing a small and a large number of threads is, well, the time you spend sitting there threading. But if you can do a narrow warp, you can do a wide one!

Queezle, your ikat piece is GORGEOUS!! Truly amazing.

Cathie, what does a shifting box look like and how is it used? Did you build your own, or did you buy one? I saw one for sale on a Japanese website, but haven't purchased it (yet), because it looked like it might be too narrow for my needs.

And my weaverliness? Reading through books on jacquard weaving and studying jacquard design software (Arahweave). Arahweave looks incredibly powerful but also extremely complex, on par with Photoshop and Illustrator. But I still have three days left before I have to go back to work, so I am going to focus focus focus on learning Arahweave over the next few days. I'll spend an hour or two working on the book in the morning, then spend the rest of the day working through tutorials. I find I do best at learning software when I make a concerted effort, rather than learning bit by bit.

Fri, 04/10/2015 - 04:18

Queezle

I appreciate all the kind comments.  I think that was one of my early successful designs. 

I, too, am interested in the shifting box! 

Lovely dyeing - and brj1957 - all of us have survived our first projects - I don't think there is much option other than simply jumping in.  This group is so wonderful and supportive, just keep checking in!

Today am pushing forward on my M's and W's bread cloths - wedding in less than one week!

 

Fri, 04/10/2015 - 10:04

ReedGuy

Just checking in and reading about everyone's activities. :)

Today I wind warp for my coverlet project. Full steam ahead like a bull moose. ;)

Have a good day all!

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