Here we are at the last month of another year!. Everyone has been so busy and not just with weaverly things. Now to make it through the holidays . . .  Weave on!

Comments

Wed, 12/17/2014 - 19:09

Walkingquail

that's an amazing looking loom! I am not ready to go the big in tapestry, partly because there is no room for one. But one does not always have to go big, does one? You are going to have so much fun!

I name my looms too. My 3 year old Baby Wolf is named Grace and my rigid heddle flip is Rita Hayworth. My tapestry looms somehow have only Big and Little! My inkle loom, oh, dear, can't remember! I have a new to me Nilus that won't have a name till I use her but the name Eleanor keeps popping into my mind.

Today I go through all my towel heddles to find out where I went wrong, the numbers aren't coming out right so where is the mistake? I thought I was being so careful but doing the laundry at the same time can be a distraction but so can running out of underwear. Hopefully it's in the last third rather than the first third!

Fri, 12/19/2014 - 10:27

Missus T.

Just relieved to report that my dishtowels are off the loom, finished, wrapped, and in UPS's competent hands for delivery!  I wasn't sure I was going to make it in time, but on Wednesday the muse of Arachne alighted on my shoulder and somehow I made it through the remaining 4 yards of warp.

The summer and winter towels made from three shades of cottolin will complement colors in my aunt's kitchen.  Since the kitchen is in the middle of her home which has an open floor plan which exposes the oven door to her living room and has a terra-cotta, yellow, and copper palette, she has always had a challenge finding a decent dishtowel.  With classic decor tastes, I think she'll appreciate the linen blend, plus they won't end up in the ironing basket.

 I suspect that dishtowels are like hand-knitted socks -- humble items which surpass the receiver's expectations! 

Now it's time to fire up Santa's cookie ovens and get baking. 

While dreaming of the next warp, of course!  The weaver's family has no dishtowels!

 

Fri, 12/19/2014 - 15:51

Artistry

MissusT - " The weaver's family has no dishtowels !" Isn't that the truth? I have a precious few which I got from a tea towel exchange that I participated in. So the one's I have are made by friends:) I have the Patagonia design for the Tapestry almost finished. Iceberg,mountains,water,foggy clouds, all that's left are these round stones. I've drawn these as separate elements so I arrange them on another piece of paper, glue them down . Take it ove to Fedex and have it blown up for my cartoon. That process is where any proportion mistakes show up, gulp!
Fri, 12/19/2014 - 15:58

Artistry

Thanks Walkingquail ! I'm so excited to use it! My next tapestry is larger than I've done in a while so it will be fun to test drive this loom :) You're right you don't have to go big, look at Kathe Todd-Hooker! Amazing !
Fri, 12/19/2014 - 16:49

tien (not verified)

I'm traveling tomorrow, so I went out and got an Ashford Inklette last night:

Ashford Inklette

I also got some beaded yarns:

beaded yarns

I'm going to combine them with these Lunatic Fringe yarns:

Lunatic Fringe yarns

This will be my first attempt at inkle weaving - should be interesting!

 

Sun, 12/21/2014 - 13:41

tien (not verified)

I had an exit row seat on the plane, so way more legroom than usual - enough for me to finish warping the inkle loom and actually do some weaving:

warped inkle loom

first inkle weaving

(Sorry about the poor lighting - I was restricted to airplane lighting, of which there wasn't much - didn't want to disturb others with the flash!)

Anyway, it was fun (and interesting weaving with beads) - will probably explore a bit more over my trip. Hurray! I'm back to weaving again.

Sun, 12/21/2014 - 16:11

Weavolutionary6

I was able to do quite a bit of weaving on TAJ's fabric. I found that perfect combination of tension shuttle and loom adjustments. 

I also listened to some tutorials for the redevelopment and came across a cool new thing we can start using now to get out newsletters more often! Oliver is making some coffee and I'm about to start testing the new find. I've also added a contact form, yiu can use to send us your thoughts on what yiu use most often, or if you think part of the site is unnecessary.  I want to be clear we are not even thinking about taking anything away, but we are open to your input.

Sun, 12/21/2014 - 22:25

pammersw

Ok, Tien, that is just showing off for your first inkle weaving! ;) :) 

I will have a couple 3 hour flights in a few weeks - I think I'll charge up the tablet to listen to mp3s/watch mp4s, or charge up the Kindle to catch up on my reading. :)

Sun, 12/21/2014 - 23:09

Artistry

Good use of time Tien! Looks nice too! Erica sounds terrific! I have the Patagonia design done, yay! Now to take my separate elements and put them together and trace them on one piece of paper. Then off to fedex to have it blown up. Time to get out the manual and figure how to warp Beauty up! I plan to work over the holidays, I get up early the kids sleep in late, perfect:)
Mon, 12/22/2014 - 13:43

tien (not verified)

Cathie, I saw that you are selling your tapestry loom! Did you get another one?

Mon, 12/22/2014 - 16:39

Erica J

I was only able to get about 3" woven today, between website work and loom adjustments. You'll remember I found a sweet little Ideal loom on Ebay over the summer. I love it, but it seems it's nearly as old as I am. I also seems the previous owner(s) didn't quite know how to tie up a Glimakra loom. So although I'm on my second warp on this loom, I'm still making lots of little adjustments. Today was my second attempt at getting the shaft bars properly connected to the horizontal countermarch jacks. It came to me with screw in eyelets on the shaft bars, the texsolve cord went through this and was held together with arrow pegs. I have no idea why this was the method used, but I've gotten them attached normally now! :)

Mon, 12/22/2014 - 17:12

laurafry

Erica, my Leclerc is at least as old as I am and in better nick! I'm just about finished the warp on the AVL and will be switching to the Leclerc as I have a bunch of warps ready to go on for special orders. Trying to get them done before I get called for surgery, sometime in the new year. I am also still testing the live weight tension system on that loom. Think I've got it pretty much tweaked. I could make one more change to the loom but that would require major surgery on her, too, and I want to begin weaving on that loom as therapy. So, I think I might leave it as it is and not mess about with it any further. :) Cheers Laura
Mon, 12/22/2014 - 19:07

tien (not verified)

It's still on the loom, but hopefully you can read it anyway:

Inkle woven book mark!

Tue, 12/23/2014 - 01:31

Artistry

Tis the Season Tien! Happy Holidays to you too! Yes, I got a Shannock Tapestry loom , used. It's a wonderful loom almost all metal , holds a great tension! Laura I hope your surgery goes smoothly and speedy recovery.
Tue, 12/23/2014 - 14:36

sally orgren

Tien,

Having flown three roundtips this past year and with another CA/AZ trip on the horizon for 2015, I know you are going to appreciate a traveling loom! I think Inky was my magic talisman for getting aisle seats in the exit rows for a very long time, but rest assured it works just as well in the middle seat, coach, when the guy in front of you reclines all the way back! (Judging by the seat back, I am guessing you were on a United flight.)

My life has gotten busy beyond belief, and it has only been since this weekend that I have been able to turn my thoughts toward my own weaving again. I placed a yarn order yesterday so I can complete a few challenges due in 2015, and I may look at what I can do with the stash while I await for the arrival of that yarn, since I have a few days off over the holiday break. The dishtowels sold well, as did baby blankets, so I can always weave more for the stash and gifts. My guild mate wrote the current article in Handwoven about the baby wraps, so that might be a consideration too.

No need to count sheep or dream of sugarplums at this time of the year, I'll be working out projects. Woo Hoo!

 

Tue, 12/23/2014 - 15:16

Weavolutionary6

Well we are all up t some amazing things these days! Trips, weaving, weaving on trips! Tien, I love your holiday weaving. :)

Laura, wishing you the best on your surgery! I know my little Ideal will eventually be ideal and serve me as long as I have space for it. Which given it's size should be for many, many years to come!

Cahtie, good luck with Beauty. I'm looking forward to seeing the work you two do together. :)

I finished my first sample for my Van Gogh Wheatfields weaving. I've been inspired by this painting for many years. As you all prbably remember I chose my weft colours, but still need to decide on the warp colour/stripe pattern and the draft. I also bviously have to choose a weft, enter Sample #1. This sample uses every colour I onw in the J.C. Rennie Shetland wool! So I have a good number of choices. This sample will be useful for a variety of projects as it is sort of a colour blanket for the yarns I currently own. I only have 2 blues, 2 greens, and 1 yellow in the warp, but it should allow me to see how all the colours interact with one another. Well the sampel and bit of photoshop! :) I'm looking forward to the next step, which is increasing the sestt and sampling with  the top 3 wefts from this sample. I will also play with the treadling and this sample will probably feature in my next Cyber Fiber class! :)

Thu, 12/25/2014 - 02:43

Missus T.

I don't post much, but check in frequently and feel right at home here at Weavolution.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  I love this time of year and deep winter here in New York  -- no leaves to rake, no lawn to mow, silent snows -- means lots of loom clacking to look forward to in January.  I'm ready to wind another cottolin towel warp but am still having so much fun looking at different patterns in Vav and some Swedish books that I haven't decided which way to go! I might even go crazy and put the other 4 harnesses on the loom.

I decorated the loom for Christmas; my daughter made a 3 inch willow twig wreath for the season which is currently adorning my scissors hook.

Best of health, good fortune, and weaverly resolutions to you all!

 

Thu, 12/25/2014 - 03:08

endorph

to all  - hope everyone is having a happy and healthy holiday season

Thu, 12/25/2014 - 06:03

Artistry

Tina and all, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you too ! Cathie
Thu, 12/25/2014 - 09:30

ReedGuy

Merry Christmass to all.

I'm now designing a pique weave with a wig rose overshot motif to make a cloth that is quilt like. Love a challenge. :)

 

Have a good one.

Thu, 12/25/2014 - 17:56

JeanOCuilinn

Merry Christmas everyone. And Happy New Year too. Today I hope to finish dressing my little loom for the first time ever. I'm new, ya see.... Going to make 4 towels. 3 for friends and the first one will go to me as it will be the "is this gonna work" one. Cheers
Thu, 12/25/2014 - 18:08

tien (not verified)

Merry Xmas!

Here's a picture of my mom's Christmas tree:

My mom's Christmas tree

Every ornament on it is handmade, unique, and exquisitely beautiful. (Made by her and her friends over the years.) Here is a closeup of a few:

Christmas ornaments

Christmas ornaments

And me? I've been designing placemats and a table runner for the Handwoven For the Home contest put on by Handwoven magazine. Here's a simulation:

placemat design

The draft is a bit misleading - the areas that are predominantly white will be pure white, and the darker green borders will be pure dark green. I'm weaving it as double weave, with the layers separate on the selvages (and the white narrower than the green) but alternating between blocks of white-on-top double cloth and blocks of single-layer cloth in the body.

I'm planning to do a matching table runner, too. And maybe even napkins!

Fri, 12/26/2014 - 07:36

ainz

I have an old, handmade wooden floor loom. I call him Pinocchio.

Sat, 12/27/2014 - 09:13

Erica J

TAJ and I had a great time in the studio yesterday. I wove several more inches on his cloth. And TAJ even helped a bit too. Ineed to add 6 inches in width for Oliver's fabric. I wound 3" of the additional warp and I'm wrapping my mind around how this will work.  Any tips are most welcome!

I also started a new <a href="http://www.weavolution.com/?q=group/mastering-weave-structures-study-gorup">study group</a> here for folks who want to study all our part of Mastering Weave Structures.

Sun, 12/28/2014 - 14:02

sally orgren

 

With the new year approaching, many of the regional conferences in the U.S. are offering up their selections of workshop oppprtunities for the summer. Many have their course and leader descriptions online, so the holiday break is a good time to take a peek & plan weaving adventures for the future!


The registration for the MAFA workshop weekend opens January 2. The booklet describing topics and instructors is available for download at the MAFA site. There will be a guild exhibit this summer, and the marketplace will be host to a record 30 vendors this year. If your guildmates can't attend the complete workshop weekend, consider coming down to check out all the other related activities that will be happening at Millersville University, in Millersville, Pennsylvania.


http://mafa-conference-2015.org/index.php

 

What about the rest of the regional conferences? Anyone want to chime in?

 

 

Sun, 12/28/2014 - 00:00

Walkingquail

Year everyone! 

I am still weaving those dishtowels for my neighbors! I told them their gifts would be New Year gifts. So busy this time of year although I am not sure why, no kids or family visits. But it's been nice to spend time with my husband who is often working.

Here's to everyone of you having a fun and productive weaving 2015!

Sun, 12/28/2014 - 02:03

ingamarie

Contemporary Handweavers of Texas is holding its regional conference in Austin this year.. June 24-28. The website will be live after the first of the year... we're still getting it up and running. I'll post here when it's up. It'll be a good one!

Sun, 12/28/2014 - 02:40

Queezle

My kitchen remodel project is finally to a point where the kitchen is functional, and 90% done.  Even better, the-room-formerly-known-as-the-dinnning-room is now with a new floor (maple), new paint (mostly white, some grey), shelves, a -- yes -- a loom! 

The summer-and-winter warp I put on last february is still there, though I did cut off and hem some of the dish towels during the summer.  My guild had Bonnie Tarses come give a workshop (which I sadly missed), but I heard that she recommended weaving 10 minutes a day.  I started doing that just before Christmas, and most of my 10-minute stints have been closer to 100 minutes. 

So happy to have this community here - and amazed at all the wonderful things you've been up to.  Merry Christmas, everyone.

Sun, 12/28/2014 - 04:10

laurafry

Managed two scarves today.  Hoping to finish off the last two - and this warp - tomorrow.  A grey snowy day meant I was not at all tempted to leave the house (other than to have coffee next door!)

cheers,

Laura

Sun, 12/28/2014 - 09:10

Erica J

This morning we are comfortable by the fire in the sitting, which has finally had a table loom moved into it! We are enjoying coffee together in the living room, Oliver kindly makes TAJ babycinnos (warmed frothy milk). He loves to "tink" the cups together! So cheers to all our weaver friends here!

Quezzle thank you for sharing Bonnie's advice. She is one of my favorite weavers! I thnk 10 mins  aday is a good addition to my oal of weaving everyday. This past year, I hae mostly done my weaving when TAJ naps. Unfortunately I'm only home during nap time on the weekends, and holidays. Although I have made great progress on my weaving projects this year, adding 10 mins a day during the week, will mean a lot more weaving time! Now that TAJ will happily draw at the table next to my loom, this should be feasible when I get home from work!

Happy weaving!

Sun, 12/28/2014 - 10:48

ReedGuy

A few days break from the loom here to design new things for later.

I'm still tossing ideas about how to do a coverlet. I looked at summer and winter to weave the motif, but that makes it way huge. I want good sized wig rose, but not monster size. :D I'm also trying the motif on a pique draft of white non merc 10/2 cotton with the color (wool singles) in the valleys. I see one of "Star of Bethlehem" without color in Strickler's book. They never double treadled, where I would, to reduce treadles needed. That book, someone will have to take away from me, it's too dangerous with all the ideas in there. :D

Got a few books, magazines, and videos for Christmas. New serger to. :)

Got to resume weaving face cloths and towels (pile). I like the way the supplemental is working, reeling off the pile as I weave. No fiddling about.

Sun, 12/28/2014 - 20:41

Queezle

Walkingquail, I know all too well how slow a dish towel warp can go. This warp wah put on in February! I am making it fresh using a dukagang treading. Hmmmm. Cannot seem to upload photo on my ipad. I can see I will need to work out ipad posting or rely on my computer. Sorry for the repetition.
Sun, 12/28/2014 - 23:12

Queezle

I was tiring of these towels - the loom threaded up in Feb, but put into storage in April due to remodeling.  Happily, I decided to try dukagang treadling, and that made it feel fresh!

Sun, 12/28/2014 - 22:57

laurafry

Just cleared the 'last' of the painted warps for scarves off my small loom.  Now to put a rayon chenille warp on.  Maybe even today?

cheers,

Laura

Mon, 12/29/2014 - 00:28

ReedGuy

Practicing with my new serger on sample pile pieces. I didn't do too bad eve rounding the corners, now to serge some final pieces and weave some more. What a hoot. :)

Mon, 12/29/2014 - 08:02

Artistry

ReedGuy, Love those sergers! I don't have one, but use to use one where I volunteer. I never got the hang of tight corners, but everywhere else I could really cruise :) that edge is perfect, I think, for handwovens. Lucky you, I know you'll put it to good use:) Just a few more days and life returns somewhat to normal. All the Fam. Left yesterday, now we get ready for the New Year's Eve Bash. I finally get to see the Neurologist and see if the Dr. Can figure out what's going on. Been messing with Dr.s since Aug. Grrrr., well, at least l live some place where we have them:) Next week the Tapestry Cartoon, Yay !!!
Mon, 12/29/2014 - 21:49

ReedGuy

Here is some practice wih the serger on some sample face cloths. These being samples, they are not the final product. I have some final ones to serge yet and going to weave more. Then I think a break from pile is in order then come back to some towels. :)

Enjoy your evening. :)

Tue, 12/30/2014 - 03:30

Queezle

The pile, the serged edges, you've got it all!  I'm impressed!

Continue to eek out at least 10 minutes/day, and I look forward to being done with this warp.  Planning is my favorite activity, and I'm having fun considering what to do next. 

Tue, 12/30/2014 - 09:38

Artistry

I agree with Queezle, ReedGuy, and those are the samples !
Tue, 12/30/2014 - 09:49

ReedGuy

.... for the nice comments.

Yes, I am pleased. :)

Tue, 12/30/2014 - 14:07

scottishlamb

Did anyone else get their registration packets yet.  The Dec newsletter said hard copies were being sent out to all members.

So looking forward to this!  Finally, something big is happening within driving distance for me.  I'm just an hour north of Austin.

Wed, 12/31/2014 - 03:44

ingamarie

We're almost ready! I think Meg is planning on having them mailed mid-month. They'll also be available for download at the website http://weavetexas.org/Conference.html . Currently that links to an older site, but will redirect to a shiny new site when all the info is in. We're getting there!
Wed, 12/31/2014 - 05:47

laurafry

Had the privilege tonight to get a new weaver onto a guild loom and begin weaving. Houston, I think we have lift off! Talk about a natural. Cheers Laura
Wed, 12/31/2014 - 14:10

scottishlamb

Awesome!  Just wanted to make sure I didn't miss mine.  So looking forward to this.

Wed, 12/31/2014 - 14:17

scottishlamb

I saw that on your blog, Laura, and commented on what a natural she is.  I have to tell you that I thought of you a couple of days ago.  I'm weaving on a warp that Joanne Hall sent to me (Julia towels).  I swore I was going to do them without floaters. Wouldn't you know that they are now a crutch for me. I kept stopping to feel for them.  I ended up adding them because I'm so used to them being there it was actually slowing me down to *not* have them.  Go figure.  And don't worry, I totally get that that is what works for you and it's not a right/wrong way.  Just thought I'd let you know.  I am going to try again though.  I have a painted warp that I'm going to thread with basket weave edges and see what happens.

Wed, 12/31/2014 - 15:42

tien (not verified)

Just finished weaving off the second warp on the inkle loom! I was playing with pickup, using the designs on pp. 40-41 of Anne Dixon's The Weaver's Inkle Pattern Directory. Here they are:

bookmarks

more bookmarks

It's easier than I thought - really enjoying inkle weaving!

Wed, 12/31/2014 - 16:18

theresasc

has been keeping me from weaving, but I have been lurking.

 

Tien - it is fun watching you with the inkle - aren't they great!  It is the very best way to do pick-up, only a couple of inches wide.  Inkle weaving has always been one of my favorite type of weaving to do.  I have a gorgeous floor inkle that just rocks!

 

Reedguy - your pile cloths are wonderful!  They look just the way I thought that pile should and did not have the patience to do myself.  The serger is a perfect way to finish them off - really well done.

 

Since I could not weave, I did a road trip instead!  Brought home what I think will be the final loom to live with me - 20" Kessenich 8-Shaft table loom on stand.  Boy, I just LOVE Kessenich looms.  I had a 25" 8-Shaft table loom a few years ago and I sold it because it was just a bit too big for me to lug up and down all the stairs at my house.  That bad boy was close to 75 pounds, warped.  The 20" will be more manageable and I have it just in time for MAFA this year!

20 inch 8 shaft Kessenich

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