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, 04/22/2015 - 19:29

laurafry

Cathie, I have found the same, experts disagreeing. :(. I liked Madelyn van dear Hoogt's approach to huck. I've also noticed drafts called one thing when they were obviously (to my thinking) something else entirely. Such as Bronson Lace called Huck. :( Cheers Laura
Wed, 04/22/2015 - 19:51

Artistry

Yes, keeps us on our toes! I found that with definitions of Damask, which Irene Emory in Primary Structures of Fabrics, says there are 75. Now, how's a weaver supposed to keep that one straight! Madelyn van der Hooght is tremendously well versed, she can be very technical which makes me pause, but I'd rather have a challenge than misinformation.
Wed, 04/22/2015 - 23:54

tien (not verified)

Whew! I've been in a whirlwind! I was wondering what to design for my new jacquard loom, and realized that I really didn't have any drawing or digital design skills. So I signed up for a drawing class at the local art school, and had my first class yesterday. They had already started two weeks ago, so I have catch-up homework to do. I'm also working my way through the book "Drawing for the Absolute and Utter Beginner". Except that I'm doing all the exercises on my iPad, to get used to digital drawing. And then I signed up for Jane Dunnewold's class, "Your Visual Language: Exploring Composition" (description at http://www.janedunnewold.com/classes/your-visual-language-exploring-composition ). It's basically about composition and design, in the context of surface design, with a focus on developing your own visual language/"voice". Finally, I'm trying to talk my way into a class on digital painting in Photoshop. That's at a local college - hoping I can make that work! Fortunately the drawing class and Jane Dunnewold's class run sequentially, or (with the book stuff) I'd *really* lose my mind! I'm hoping that all this fine arts stuff will help me figure out how to design for jacquard!
Thu, 04/23/2015 - 04:40

fiberassociations

Well, so much for daily check in. Since I last wrote I have finished spinning and plying some Australian wool I dyed at New Years. I think it will be socks. My guild taught weaving to 90 kids in one day and we're crazy enough to have two more school dates next month. Went to Conf of N CA Handweavers meeting in Monterey and learned a bit about randomweave for sculptural objects. No end to things one can learn!! I have been working very slowly on my naturally colored cotton huipil because pick-up on a floor loom kills my neck ( 3/4 inch in two hours today). Tonight I've ave spent the whole evening with weaving books and sites trying to figure out the best structure for a vest in 8/2 naturally dyed cotton from Mayan Hands so that it will have the firm hand I am looking for. Am considering satin weave or basket alternating with plain with a sett of 24 or maybe even some crammed stripes of 28 epi alternating with 24. Planning on getting both the huipil and a vest done before the WARP meeting here next month so I really need to buckle down. Sounds like I might meet some of you at WARP. Love reading about all your projects and seeing the pictures.
Thu, 04/23/2015 - 14:27

Queezle

I came across this very cool article about an art installation that features weavers working on their woven work, and thought that there might be some interest among my friends here at this site.  

Arachnophobes - you might not want to look.

http://design-milk.com/working-spiders-tomas-saraceno/

Thu, 04/23/2015 - 16:06

Artistry

Queezle, That is a fabulous exhibit! I wonder if he fed the spiders? I think not because that would ruin the webs! What a brilliant idea this exhibit ! Now I want to weave like a spider:) Sorry Dup.
Thu, 04/23/2015 - 16:04

Artistry

Queezle, That is a fabulous exhibit! I wonder if he fed the spiders? I think not because that would ruin the webs! What a brilliant idea this exhibit ! Now I want to weave like a spider:) Couldn't wind a warp, no warping board at the cottage:( what happened to it? So I'm now reading Madelyn van de Hooght's ( Laura:) thanks!) The Best of Weaver's Huck.
Thu, 04/23/2015 - 16:17

Artistry

Fiberassociations, Do you know of Karen Britto? She's an excellent weaver and dyer. Google her and you will see her business Entwinements, go to her site. Then search for Huipil. Scroll down a ways and you will see several that she has made with explanations, and materials used. They are really something to see! I went to an exhibit opening of hers 2 weeks ago amazing work! Tien, The best way I know of improving my sketching and ( other fine art skills) like weaving, is to do it everyday. Keeping a sketchbook handy and draw something, anything, a shoe, your TV, car keys, just draw and try to shade, will greatly improve your skills rather quickly, you'll be surprised :)
Thu, 04/23/2015 - 16:19

ReedGuy

Nice to have various author's perspective on things. :)

Thu, 04/23/2015 - 16:21

Artistry

Well you know ReedGuy, I'm reminded that very little is black and white in life:)
Thu, 04/23/2015 - 16:45

laurafry

Cathie, I think all the shades of grey are what attracted me to weaving.  :)

cheers,

Laura

Thu, 04/23/2015 - 18:37

Walkingquail

time! But I have been very weaverly, I promise!

Queezle, I love, love your ikat piece, truly wonderful!

Laura, thank you for making your informative DVD on Efficient Weaving! You taught me how to warp my new to me Nilus. I find my baby wolf is easy to warp front to back but the reverse is better on the Nilus and I just couldn't picture it and now I can. This is a big step to my enjoying both looms. The tension on the Nilus will be wonderful for rugs.

My last big craft sale was a great success, wish they all could be that way but I am enjoying myself until I just get too tired. It takes so much energy to sell!

I must get back to my clasped weft placemats on my RH loom.

Thu, 04/23/2015 - 18:48

laurafry

I just posted a way to fix a knot in a warp, learned from Kerstin Fro:berg.  Best thing?  No needle weaving required afterwards!

http://laurasloom.blogspot.com

Walkingquail, glad you have tamed the Nilus.  :)

cheers,

Laura

Fri, 04/24/2015 - 00:46

Artistry

Yes Laura, Tis true! Sometimes my impatient self wants things to be black and white, but the intellectual side loves a challenge and then gray is just fine! Oh, did I mention I'm a Gemini? Walkingquail , good to hear from you!
Fri, 04/24/2015 - 09:31

ReedGuy

Yes, I have often wondered about how best to handle broken ends in finer cloth like a table cloth. Other weaves, like blankets, I'm less fussy. I'll have to read up. Thanks. :)

Fri, 04/24/2015 - 10:32

Erica J

Wel I've been off yesterday  and today, TJ has the chickenpox.  They only give that vacinne to very vulnerable people here, as it is only 75% effective.

So I managed to weave a bit of waffle weave sample, but ended up with an odd error. Ah well this one will be a preliminary sample. I'm contemplating how "perfect" my certificate of achievement samples need to be. I don't really believe in perfection as a goal, we are humans after all. This is an honest belief not an excuse for loads of imperfections, but I am interested in other's philosophies on perfect handweaving.

Fri, 04/24/2015 - 10:35

Sue in VT

Cathie Beckman, you are going to have a ball. traveling is its own reward, and the change of scenery, but to take a trip AND with a focused purpose to engage in makes it doubly special! As for my weaverliness, after experiencing a tension issue, I did my first "cutting off" between towels, rewound the remaining warp, removed the heddles that were helping to cause imbalance, and proceeded to weave with consistent tension right across. Can't wait to get this project off the loom because it was my most problem/solution ridden project yet. First, ran out of a color with 8 warp threads needed. Color in that size 8/2 discontinued, replaced with the color in 10/2. Isn't noticeable. Then warp thread broke while winding on, of course the discontinued color I'm out of. Mended with replacement color, and will repair when off the loom, with thrum piece of original color. But I'm retired with lots of time to practice and learn, so it's all good.
Fri, 04/24/2015 - 13:22

Artistry

Sue, The travel in Scotland is triple good because that is my heritage on both sides of my family! I'm very excited! As a new weaver you've done sooooooo well in solving your problems with your project! We all run into problems with our projects and knowing how to fix them is the name of the game! I finished writing the syllabus for the loom controlled handwoven lace weaves. It will change a bit as I weave more samples after my surgeries. The Education Committee needed the syllabus soon. I'm calling the class "Lacey Secrets" , lol, I think that should get a few a people :) Where's Endorph/Tina ? Hi if you're reading!
Fri, 04/24/2015 - 13:59

Queezle

Walking Quail - thanks for your kind words - I always smile at your log in name, as ours is actually the same.  Queezle was the name of a California quail I found as a 1 day chick, raised by my family - esp my kids (she slept in bed with my son, lol), and after a year, released (male quail at all windows, and she wanted to go). We watched her in her new flock - she was the awkward one who didn't know how to walk along the top of a fence, and for the first month had sore feet - she had only walked on carpet before then (which had to be ripped out - yes, not very clean).  To this day, all (walking) quail in our yard are considered Queezle's offspring.

 

Sue -- Scotland travel should be amazing.  Lots of great weaving, and they sort-a speak the same language!  I, too, have Scot heritage, and hope to return some day (last visit was as a child in 1968).

For my weaverliness, I've finally returned to my Swedish weaving sample (I'm paying loom rental monthly for this sample, and its becoming quite expensive - started it in January!). 

 

In June, I will be traveling to Korea for 2 weeks.  On my previous trip to Korea, it seemed that the culture valued technical/industrial output much more than handicrafts, and it was difficult to find hand made items.  However, I was mostly in Seoul.  This time I will be in PyeongChang, which isn't even mentioned in my two (old) travel books, but its where the winter olympics will be held in 2018.  I can travel away from PyeongChang, but it will be on my own $ (thats OK, but staying in PyeongChang will be free, and with an interpreter). 

Sat, 04/25/2015 - 05:07

fiberassociations

Cathie- What a fabulous reference. Karen is writing about all kinds of things that interest me. You must be in YSO. I am so jealous. Was last there in March 1973 when I headed off for a Co-op and never returned. Kate
Sat, 04/25/2015 - 10:53

Artistry

Kate, I'm in Cincinnati , Ohio about an hour's drive from YS. I studied with Karren quite a bit, Shibori , especially dyeing. I'm glad you find her work interesting:) yes, YS, has that kind of magic! Back home today.
Sat, 04/25/2015 - 20:23

Erica J

The Cambridge Guild had Carol James in for a talk on Sprang today!  She has stayed with us the last few times, she's been in the area and has recorded a Cyber Fiber class for us. Her talk today was just what I needed to get started on my first sprang project!

The photo isn't the best, but you get the idea. 

 

Sat, 04/25/2015 - 20:58

Queezle

I confess to not knowing anything about sprang, but my good friend google showed me some amazing photos.  And as I gazed at those photos, I thought of the definition of lace as something with holes. So - is sprang a lace weave?  It sure does look interesting.

Sun, 04/26/2015 - 06:26

Erica J

Queezle,

Thank you for sharing the story behind your user name,  I've always been curious.

Sprang definitely produces a lacey fabric.  Since it only has a warp,  there is much debate about whether it is considrered weaving, I think technically it is a braiding technique. But there are several ways to create lace aren't there. 

 

Sun, 04/26/2015 - 17:56

Artistry

I believe that to be considered a weaving there are at least two sets a warp and weft. I can not think of any instance where this is not true but will look it up in Irene Emory Primary Stucture of Fabrics.
Sun, 04/26/2015 - 17:52

Artistry

Well, Emery goes on and on, but then she says on page 74 " The Longitudinal elements are called the warp, the transverse elements, weft; and, at least two sets ( one of each) are essential to the structure of a woven fabric, or textile." Page 62 " Simple interlinking and the variations shown here often occur in ( or constitute fabric structures which are referred to as Sprang." So Sprang is not a lace weave it is interlinked.
Mon, 04/27/2015 - 15:22

sally orgren

at the Weaving History Conference in just a few weeks. (Can't wait!) There is still time to register if this missed your radar. Yes, Inky and I will be there.

 

I also can't wait for the end of the week, as the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival has nearly arrived (although you wouldn't know it by the weather. Sigh.)

 

If you are attending, please come find Inky and I in the main building, along the back wall, D-15. For those of you that have attended in past years, it's the booth that is known for selling "socks". They are made in Pennsylvania, and have all kinds of weaverly and sheepy motifs specially designed for HGA (Handweavers Guild of America). See for yourself below.

 

And yes, they also have a bunch of specially dyed yarns from JOY (Just Our Yarns, in Tencel) and RedFish DyeWorks (silk). I took this photo before one of the festival boxes shipped. FYI, if you are a member of the organization, you get a member discount.

 

Mon, 04/27/2015 - 15:21

sally orgren

went surprisingly well on Sunday!

 

We were left with about 3-4 garbage bags that we will disperse in the coming weeks, and we raised enough funds to partially sponsor a workshop in the coming year.

 

Big thanks to neighbor Janice and her friend Fran, who made the donation possible, guildmates Margriet and Cate, who helped me plan this event and host it, and Jerri and Cassie, who came early to set up the tables. Of course, BIG thanks to all the weavers who came and bought yarn!

 

This was just the bouclé load. Another vehicle was filled to the brim with similar bags of chenille, cotton, wool, and novelty yarns.

 

P.S. If you ever get this "call", along with clear garbage bags, bring BIG scales, a tape measure, a McMorran Yarn Balance, and a lot of small bills to make change on the day of the sale. (Baked goods are also helpful! ;-)

 

 

Mon, 04/27/2015 - 21:04

Walkingquail

I did not make lots of money but I made more than I would have staying at home!

Oh, Queezle, what a wonderful story! Thank you for sharing. It's my trail name and I use it for my shop on ETSY. I have always loved quail. Our last house had no fences so many quail and deer, it was heaven. Now I live surrounded by houses and fences so my friends are usually seen or heard on hikes only. Queezle is a lovely name. I fantasize a little about having a pet quail but they need to be free. I live in California so those are my quail too.

I should be tying a warp onto a previous warp right this minute but stalling with a snuggly cat and reading about you all. Can't believe all those bags of yarn, Sally!

Mon, 04/27/2015 - 22:17

ReedGuy

Someone will be busy weaving or knitting with all that yarn. :)

Mon, 04/27/2015 - 22:34

tien (not verified)

For my drawing class, I've been asked to compose a photo that tells a story. We'll be drawing a rendering of the photo for the next few weeks. I was racking my brains over what story to tell, and hadn't come up with anything good. Then I decided to figure out what I wanted to draw and then tell a story to match it. (Hey, reverse engineering works in software, so... :-) )

I decided I wanted to draw a picture of some weaving on the loom. So I had to find a story to go with that. Thought briefly about Penelope and Odysseus, but decided that would be too hard. Finally came up with Arachne, the weaver who was so proud she challenged the Greek goddess of weaving (Athena) and got transformed into a spider for her pains. (The legends vary on whether Arachne or Athena won; the end result in either case is that Arachne wound up as a spider. Note to self: do not challenge the gods!)

So I quickly designed and wove up a spider design, staged a rubber tarantula and a miniature shuttle, and presto:

The "story" of Arachne, in a single picture

I like it - the only thing I think could be better would be if the yarn continued all the way across the picture, out of the frame.

I also got into/got approval for time off so I can take my digital painting class! They waived the pre-reqs for me, but that means I have some catching up to do. So I have ordered the six books recommended (optional) in the syllabus and will be giving myself a crash course in Photoshop before class starts (in late May).

Yep, I'm going to be busy... :-)

Mon, 04/27/2015 - 22:58

laurafry

Lordy, I do so wish I had your energy, Tien!  And I'm jealous of the Jacquard, but know that one will never be in my future so I'll enjoy your journey vicariously.  :)

cheers,

Laura

Mon, 04/27/2015 - 23:33

Artistry

no Jacquard is not in my future either but I will also enjoy your journey! I love, "so I quickly designed and wove up a spider design" in my dreams,lol! Or only in Tapestry! Lace and tapestry are consuming my thoughts, not a bad place to be:)
Wed, 04/29/2015 - 19:39

endorph

when I get home from work and hthe dog park, I will begin spinning up some BFL for yarn for a bag challenge I am a part of. We can weave, knit or crochet or bag but it has to be out of yarn we have spun ourselves. So I am thinking of weaving up some fabric on the RH loom for a tote bag of some sort. I can always use another tote bag and the RH loom is nekkid at the moment so. . . . might alos knit something up. . . . hmmmmm

Thu, 04/30/2015 - 00:56

Queezle

Well, probably we are, but my current obsession is the "spider weaves" or "distorted weft" depending on if you are reading Sharon Alderman's MWF, or Anne Dixon's The handweaver's pattern book.  The possibilities for color interactions are very exciting.  That said, my major craft project is a little photoalbum for my mother for mother's day (prepared on a deck of playing cards).  And while I paint on the rubber cement, I dream of deflected weft!

Thu, 04/30/2015 - 02:37

bjr1957

Tien!  All I can say is WOW!  You Go Girl!

I finished my pillow cover and it is ready to be gifted.  My very first official fabric off the refurbished loom.  Pictures soon.  Began a project on my rigid heddle.  Dish towels for my niece's wedding next month.  Mr. Putney (floor loom) is on hiatus as he needs some adjustments and additions.   He needs the rest of the heddle bars..8 in all, a warp beam rod that will not bend and is square and flat, an extention to the large bolt on the tension brake so the crank handle does not fall off, some chain link for the peddle that releases and thightens the tension brake, and more heddles.

bjr

 

Thu, 04/30/2015 - 18:52

Walkingquail

towels. I have to take a break for lunch and deciding if I should go visit my tapestry friends at the library and work on my current tapestry or should I continue on getting this dressing done?! I'll put off the decision till the very last moment for packing up the car and driving..nothing like being decisive! I have a brief illness this week that put me behind in the towel production which I need for an show the day before Mother's Day. Duty will probably prevail.

Thu, 04/30/2015 - 21:07

ReedGuy

It's spring, and I have not gotten on the loom for a couple days, but shall return tomorrow sometime to continue the coverlet. Two more repeats to finish the first panel.

I see there is lots of interesting things on the go as usual.

Good luck with your weavings. :)

Thu, 04/30/2015 - 23:32

laurafry

Today I cut the last of the shawl warps off the Leclerc and after lunch fired up the AVL.  Decided to take it 'easy' to begin but was able to weave a half a shawl before taking a break.  Just now finished the second half of the shawl, cut the cloth off the header and got it positioned on the cloth beam (my loom is set up that I can remove the apron and just store the cloth on a plain beam), decided on the tie-up/treadling for the next shawl tomorrow, and wound bobbins for another half a shawl.  One way to make sure I don't plough through to the end!  :)  Here is how it looks after cutting off the apron, before rolling onto the plain beam...

Sun, 05/03/2015 - 19:22

Erica J

I have been quite busy this weekend, month so far. I finished up a rather smaller satin sample than I had planned. My 8 shaft satin was not really very satin-ey. I've woven damask, so I know how it should look at this has a distinct twill line for some reason. I need to get the silk warp off the loom and prep the loom for my upcoming class. I will be warping up sections with similar threading and different colour repeats and we'll play with them in the class. I think I know where the class is going, but I'll report back in 2 weeks time, with photos I promise. TJ has recovered from the chicken pox and is a bit stir crazy, so taking photos of the weaving thus far has not quite happened!

Anyway I'm weaving off the rest of the straight draw threading with several of the treadling possiblities. I'm treating the 8 shafts as 4 to get the job done soon!

ReedGuy I can't wait to see what you'll get up to next. Laura, I love that you are taking it easy and still weaving at warp speed compared to me, and just stunning cloth too!

I can't wait to see what everyone gets up to this May. I'd love to see all the projects from this month posted in teh project section and shared to the group. Our group homepage would be a stunning resource and inspiration!

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