Again, I am doing this a day early so I don't forget. Where did August go? Where did the summer go? I know that officially it is summer for a few more weeks - September 23rd is the equinox - I know most people view Labor day as the end of summer in the U.S. I am afraid summer temperatures are going to be hanging around central Texas for several more weeks but I am hoping the lower 90s will make it possible for me to spend more time in the loom room. Of course, I could have wheeled the looms into the living room but . . .  I am searching for excuses here as to why I have not been weaving Tongue Out. I hope everyone continues to be productive and continue to share your progress with the group. You are all inspiring to me and I am sure to other in the group as well. Weave on everyone!

Comments

Sat, 09/12/2015 - 12:02

Artistry

I'm starting a weekly Tapestry Drop In at my house next week for our Tapestry Study Group. I'm having a good response :) so that means straightening up my Studio ! Actually have two spaces ; one is really small and The Beast ( AVL ) just fits in there and weaving supplies, the second is the ping pong room  I took over when the kids left which has ample space, but turquoise walls ! What was I thinking with that color :) 

Ed is doing all the heavy work, he's a good guy :) I'm figuring out where things go!

That's what I'm doing this weekend !

Sat, 09/12/2015 - 12:22

Nassajah (not verified)

Laura, if you pay a fee to Amaon, they do advertising for authors and you can sell there.  

E-books are a good way to go for self-publishers, but not everyone likes e-books.  Maybe it would be better to do a few hard copies, but I know the lesser amount drives up the price of publishing.  

Sat, 09/12/2015 - 12:23

Nassajah (not verified)

Laura, if you pay a fee to Amaon, they do advertising for authors and you can sell there.  

E-books are a good way to go for self-publishers, but not everyone likes e-books.  Maybe it would be better to do a few hard copies, but I know the lesser amount drives up the price of publishing.  

Sat, 09/12/2015 - 21:04

laurafry

Shawl #4 almost done.  About 20" to go.  Going to be bold and change to a much lighter value green weft.  It will definitely be...different!

cheers

laura

Sun, 09/13/2015 - 05:03

sally orgren

Have a flock of these guys on your fridge, their googlie eyes watching every time you open the door! 

Sun, 09/13/2015 - 06:48

Erica J

I attended my guild's Come and Weave day yesterday! Well I went for the afternoon. It is so fun to see what other people are weaving. I took my texture warp, which got a lot of attention. I've chosen a lift plan to finish off the warp and got quite a bit woven. I have the loom in the sitting room and plan to weave on it most of today. I'd love to get the remaining warp woven off today!

Sun, 09/13/2015 - 12:54

ShawnC

It's finally cooling off upstairs in the weaving room! Hooray! It's been so hot the last few weeks that I've had to make do with knitting and spinning. On the bright side, I have caught up on some weaving related reading. Will be fun to weave off the fan reed warp (finally!) and wet finish it, though I'm a bit nervous that the set is so open I'll have a nasty surprise. Also need to fnish the rugs on the other loom to access the reed so I can weave the shawl I promised before my neck surgery Oct. 5. Anyone had this sort of surgery (fusion)? Recommendations post surgery? I'll be in a brace for at least 4 weeks so think the band loom will have to suffice.

Sun, 09/13/2015 - 13:42

Artistry

ShawnC sorry to hear you're having surgery ! I will be thinking of you on the 5th. I would think that you might want to raise up your band loom to a higher surface so you don't have to look down,which I imagine with a neck brace would be difficult. Clamping it to a bar stool, kitchen counter, might help. Are you working with a Physical Therapist ? You might take it in and see if they have suggestions. I did that with my Mirrix Tapestry Loom when my wrist was bad and the PT was able to show me how to use my hands and arms to prevent injury. 

More Studio clean up today, it's amazing what I'm finding:)

Sun, 09/13/2015 - 13:57

ShawnC

Thank you, Cathie! Great suggestion to raise the loom or maybe lower my seat. I'll be working with a physical therapist, but not until a few weeks post surgery. I'm ordering weaving videos from the library to keep me busy along with some reading and learning Fiberworks. Of course one of my favorite activities will continue to be seeing what you all are up to!

Sun, 09/13/2015 - 15:20

Erica J

My taquete warp is transfered to my Ashford looml I'm starting to tune up my Louet spinnig wheel for Spinzilla. Any one else here participating? 

Sun, 09/13/2015 - 22:17

laurafry

Finished shawl #5 and started #6.  Just stopped for a break and about to head back to the loom.  Loving the stash busting!  Each shawl takes about half a pound of the weft I'm currently using - a fine rayon slub.  Pics on my blog.  

cheers,

Laura

Mon, 09/14/2015 - 09:29

ReedGuy

I'm way behind you guys. Just waiting for the bush whackers' season to come to an end so I'm not so dead tired to weave. LOL  Certainly been a great September weather-wise. We have just recently started to get some rain, been terrible try and hot. But all it takes is a cold blast off James Bay and all will be back to normal. LOL ;) Leaves are turning color.

Happy weaving. :)

Mon, 09/14/2015 - 17:44

Gone

After selling the Weavers delight and restoring the Structo 816, I'm back onto the 50 scarf goal for the shelters. I've got the Structo up and running. Still a few quirks to work out, but it it's a good loom. I'm on number 3. Only 24 to go!  I've been dabbling with chenille weft /acryl warp.(easy care) 8S weaving is SO cool. 

Mon, 09/14/2015 - 21:25

laurafry

Steady progress today.  Started shawl #8, pulled yarn for #9.  24 ppi goes so much faster than 30 or 32.  :)

cheers,

Laura

Tue, 09/15/2015 - 13:38

tien (not verified)

Wound 8 of 11 bouts for the black 10/2 cotton warp going onto the TC-2. There's a white warp, too, same size (880 threads per warp). Planning to thread them up together, one warp on each beam, alternating black and white. Hoping to get them wound by this weekend as I have a friend coming down to help me beam and thread both warps. However, this may be ambitious; my sister in law and her boyfriend are visiting so I can only work on it in the mornings.

Also, squee! The jeweler who made our wedding rings, who was a weaver in a previous life, got in touch with me a few days ago: she is selling some weaving equipment, and am I interested? OMG! She is selling a warping mill with heck block - something I've really wanted, but no one is making them any more - and a warping drum, which I've also really wanted but which isn't being made anymore. Really excited about that.

She'll also be selling the first dobby loom ever made by Jim Ahrens - long before AVL came into existence. Mechanical dobby, of course. If you're in the Bay Area and might be interested, let me know.

Tue, 09/15/2015 - 14:22

theresasc

Hello Everyone,  I am back to the looms again.  I have been lurking almost daily but I was side-tracked by summer, see what followed me home one day:

On Lake Michigan

Enjoying the beauty of Lake Michigan.

So as for weaving, I am back on the shades of blue shadow weave gamp and I finished up a little sample for bath sheets but have not wet-finished it yet.  I am back on second shift at work, and morning seems like just a wonderful time for me to weave. 

shades of blue

See the Bluster Bay shuttles - memories of MAFA - the light colored is from 2011 and the dark one joined the collection in July!

Tue, 09/15/2015 - 19:31

laurafry

On a tear through this shawl warp - just finished #9 and started #10 (which will be the same because I like it and I'm trying to use up stash!)

Wed, 09/16/2015 - 19:23

Artistry

Theresasc, great picture of you ! Where on Lake Michigan ? Nice to have you back ! The shadow weave gamp is great ! 

Laura, the shawl is fabulous ! I love combining color and pattern, you do it so well in this piece.

Tapestry Drop In was today ! Two people came , hope to build up to at least six. We had a lot of fun and I got work done :)

Thu, 09/17/2015 - 04:02

tien (not verified)

I've now wound the entire black warp - 25 yards of 10/2 cotton, 880 threads, 11 bouts - and five of eleven bouts of the cream colored warp. A friend is coming over on Saturday to help me beam the warps onto the TC-2, and if we have time we'll start threading, too.

I have a nasty cold that I caught over the weekend - not too surprising since my flight to the East Coast last weekend turned into a travel nightmare. My plane was stuck on the tarmac for five hours(!) due to a combination of human error and a thunderstorm that closed the airport for awhile; I finally got into Philly around 1am, and didn't get into a hotel bed until 2am. And then I had to get up early the next morning for the drive out to Schiffer Publishing. Between jet lag and crazy flight schedules, I'm lucky it's just a cold! So that is definitely dampening my weaving mojo. But I'm persevering!

Thu, 09/17/2015 - 06:16

laurafry

Sorry you had such a nasty flight, Tien.  I'm hoping for a much better trip to TN next month.   Although with the early morning fog lately, my trip might get messed up, too.  :-/

On a better note - I'm on shawl #12, hoping to get it finished - and finish this warp - tomorrow (Thursday).

cheers,

Laura

Thu, 09/17/2015 - 13:57

theresasc

that blue shawl is beautiful!

Cathy, I paddle on the WI side of Lake Michigan, that day we launched at Kenosha then south.  I was glad to read that you are back to weaving and on the mend.  It was wonderful to know that things went well for you.

No weaving this morning, going to moms and going to can tomatoes - it is that time of year.

Thu, 09/17/2015 - 15:05

tien (not verified)

What brings you to Tennessee? Teaching a class, or just for fun?

Barely slept last night - kept waking up coughing. The cold seems to have triggered my asthma, which is what I was afraid of. If it gets much worse I may have to go to the doctor for some codeine cough syrup. With my asthma, once a cough settles in, it generally doesn't leave without stringent measures. But maybe my inhalers will be enough.

On the upside, at least my employer has a generous sick leave policy - which I am taking advantage of today. Their theory is that if you're sick, you should be home recovering, not infecting the rest of your coworkers. :-) So plan for today is to rest up, and if I feel really really good, maybe wind a little more warp between naps. I did two more bouts last night, so only 6 bouts/480 threads to go.

I hope I shake this thing soon! It started as a mild cold but has rapidly snowballed.

Thu, 09/17/2015 - 16:06

theresasc

so I am up in the studio wondering just where are the threading elves?  I have had this warp on the Cranbrook for months and it still not ready to weave:

organic spot weave

Now that I am back to weaving it seems that I am also back to loom-hopping - somethings just do not changeSmile

Thu, 09/17/2015 - 16:27

laurafry

I'm doing a 'research' project with a master spinner - she has enough yarn spun so that I can start weaving samples.  Plus I will be meeting with a graphic artist to discuss the Next Big Project.  :^)  Will also be having some 'chick' time with a third friend before the show season starts mid-Oct.

cheers,

Laura

determined to finish shawl #12 - and the warp - today...

Thu, 09/17/2015 - 16:55

Weavejoyforall

 Well just got my A OK to go back to weaving from Drs. And now they tell me I have to wait 2 more weeks till the biopsy gets back!!!  crabs! Hope all are well! This is my second biopsy in a year I'm kinda tired of it! 

Thu, 09/17/2015 - 17:24

Artistry

Tien, sorry to hear you're ill, hope you can shake it or get it under control soon !

Structure Group today at the Guild House. Great meeting ! We're talking about lace weaves and doing samples and projects :)

Thu, 09/17/2015 - 21:51

laurafry

Shawl warp is cut off and the shawls cut apart.  Next warp yarns in the spool rack.  One of the benefits of knowing what you are going to do next is that there is no wondering what to do...just, bam, it's ready.  Unfortunately warp winding elf is busy until next week so I will be working on that queue of warps for the small loom.  :)

cheers,

Laura

Thu, 09/17/2015 - 22:07

Marie P

Would the empty metal heddles cause any irregularities in the woven cloth?  Would they come out in the finishing? 

Thanks! 

Marie 

Thu, 09/17/2015 - 22:37

Belinda (not verified)

Does anyone know if Weavezine is still available? Loved to listen to all those great interviews while weaving. Thanks, Belinda

Thu, 09/17/2015 - 23:38

tien (not verified)

It was down for awhile but is back up now. www.weavezine.com should get you there.

Fri, 09/18/2015 - 04:27

Weavejoyforall

I have been off the loom for far to long! I think I might hold the title! 

Fri, 09/18/2015 - 04:29

Weavejoyforall

I have been off the loom for far to long! I think I might hold the title! 

Fri, 09/18/2015 - 05:33

sally orgren

Do not cause any problems with the cloth. They leave no evidence when weaving or when the fabric is removed from the loom.

Fri, 09/18/2015 - 07:55

Artistry

Weavejoyforall, great to have you back !

Fri, 09/18/2015 - 22:21

laurafry

Almost finished a place mat warp - 2.5 more to do?  Winding another mat warp, pulled rayon chenille to make scarf warps.  A beginning weaver offered to wind warps for me as practice.  Really?  You bet!  Come on down!  ;)

Now I feel like I have to wind one and weave it off before I get her to do a bunch of them - just to make sure I like the stripe sequence I pulled together.  :)

cheers,

Laura

Fri, 09/18/2015 - 22:37

Artistry

I've decided that my design for the tapestry needs to be bigger! Much Bigger! It's glaciers and mountains after all. So I am going to the copy shop to get my cartoon blown up more and will be adding more warp ends on the loom again! I feel good about this ! Now's the time , if you're going to change your mind , because it's your last chance !

Sat, 09/19/2015 - 18:17

Walkingquail

Hi everyone!

I have been weaving sporadically this summer, at least not my usual 5 days a week. I am trying to get back in the groove by reading through September's entries. You are all so inspiring!

I' been exploring some medical issues and of course, you start out thinking it's one thing and the tests lead in a different direction with different doctors disagreeing. Nothing definite yet but no appointments for a few weeks so I am going to distract myself with what I love best: weaving!!

Tien, Grace is the name of my Baby Wolf. It's a good name for a dear friend. Laura, I'll be watching your DVD again to refresh my memory on back to front warping becasue I finally bought the bits of equipment I needed to warp my Nilus more easily. I sold well at a HOT as in 104 degrees art fair so I felt I could spend the money. I can't wait to put a nice long warp on the Nilus so I can make something else besides towels on my Grace. Scarves are so much fun and the yarn feels so yummy. I love the cotton towels but I am a bit tired of weaving them. One more tie on to the old warp and then I am threading for something new.

WEll, better go, the house mess beckens!

Sat, 09/19/2015 - 20:29

endorph

have a towel warp on my Mighty Wolf for months that is going nowhere - I am just not inspired to work on it - so today I decided that what I need is something different so I am going to get some fine hemp and make a hemp and cotton towel or two, and then I have some cotton boucle that will make a fun textured towel. My goal is that by the end of Halloweave next month this warp will be woven and off the loom and I will have some nifty new towels.  And then there is the bag warp on the RH loom so I will have to get that woven off too. Now its in writing I will have to do it!

Sun, 09/20/2015 - 09:18

ReedGuy

Just stopping bye with coffee in hand for my daily fix. :)

It's been one hot September for the Maritimes. I suppose it's still summer, but I'm used to Labour day closing out summer, and usually heat on by now. It was 70 last night, it should be 40 at night. Anyway, have a good one. :)

Sun, 09/20/2015 - 13:53

tien (not verified)

The cold is still with me (it triggered my asthma, which means I now have a nasty cough in addition to some lingering congestion - hopefully the inhalers will be enough to kick it). But I have made progress! I got both 25-yard warps wound and beamed on, with considerable help from my weaving friend Pat. Here's a pic of the two warps (you can just barely see the black one in the background):

two warps beamed onto the TC-2

And here they are, neatly hung on lease sticks and ready for threading:

two warps hung from lease sticks, ready for threading

Next up is threading 1,760 heddles. Last time it went insanely slowly because it was so easy to twist one heddle around another, and the heddle eyes were so tiny (maybe 3/16", if that). I'm hoping practice will speed that up a bit!

Sun, 09/20/2015 - 14:50

Artistry

Bursting with energy today, I can hardly believe it :) I've already spent 2.5 hours in the studio ! Working on warping ( still ! ) , re- designing the forefront of the tapestry ( more detail ) and this afternoon more warping and starting to organize studio with AVL. 

Happy Days Are Here Again!

Mon, 09/21/2015 - 00:03

Artistry

Yup , Tina , thanks for the reminder! I'm listening to my body Sitting down frequently and stopping at the first sign of tiredness ! I took a nice nap after this morning, I won't say how long :) now, I've just come up from my studio again more organizing. You won't believe the things I've found stashed in the yarn !

some of the yarn is not even fit to be given away, we had cats, need I say more? I have another bag of yarn that will go to Goodwill .

I made the tapestry a little larger. It is funny when I look at the cartoon it looks great now at 30 in x approx. 40 in. But when the warp is hanging on  6 ft. Wide Beauty it looks like it won't do ! I measured it in the raddle just to be sure, 30 in. !

Listening to Sanctuary by Faye Kellerman, really good!

Mon, 09/21/2015 - 18:59

laurafry

Back to place mats - need more inventory for the upcoming shows.  No Pressure!

cheers,

Laura

Mon, 09/21/2015 - 22:26

tien (not verified)

Spent two hours threading this morning, and finished....65 heddles! Almost two minutes per heddle. Egad.

On the other hand, they're roughly 24" heddles with teeny-tiny eyes...and I was mostly trying to get a good process going, so doing a lot of experimenting with ways to hold and manage threads and heddles. So while it was a frustrating morning, I don't feel too bad about it. Hopefully things will go faster now!

Mon, 09/21/2015 - 22:58

laurafry

Makes sense that so many people with Jacquard looms tie on new warps.  I've heard they are a bear to thread.  :(

cheers,

Laura

Tue, 09/22/2015 - 15:45

theresasc

on shadow weave towels.  Finished another color band this morning.  I also did some threading on the Cranbrook yesterday - I have that loom 1/2 threaded now.  Do texsolv heddles EVER get easier?  I find them such a hassle to thread, my metal heddles go so much faster.

Tue, 09/22/2015 - 16:32

Artistry

Hi Theresac, what's giving you trouble with the texsolv heddles ?i agree they do take some time to get used to :) mine have little tails on top where they have been cut. I find it's so much easier to move them by lifting up on the tails and slipping them over, then trying to shove them over , ugh. So what I do is pull out a repeat, or part of one depending on long it it is. And angle it in the order that I will thread it. I hold a small grouping of warp ends up taut towards the heddle eye, and, with my left finger take them in order from the cross,in my  right the hand heddle threader in the heddle eye. Goes really quickly. Also if you have trouble seeing the eye, which I did, you can take a highlighter pen , like in yellow , and mark the eyes. Plus if you have quite a few shafts you can change the color for each shaft so they are color coded. A warning about the last one, I did that and then needed more heddles on a different shaft, confusing!

hope this helps :) Cathie

Tue, 09/22/2015 - 16:48

laurafry

I think it must depend on the loom, too.  I have an AVL with TexSolv heddles and I don't find them any harder to thread than the metal ones on my Leclerc.  But maybe that's just me...

cheers,

Laura

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