Since so many of us live in rural areas, I wanted to have a place where weavers who live in Maine (or just like to visit), could share information about their projects, get local mentoring, and maybe share local knowledge.

Comments

Fri, 10/07/2011 - 00:52

Weeweaver (not verified)

Hi, I am in southern Maine, near Naples. Always looking for fiber friends.

Fri, 10/07/2011 - 15:03

ChrisWeaveMaine (not verified)

I'm up in Old Town, near Bangor (center of Maine, going north to south, and an hour from Bar Harbor, for non-Mainers). I just went online to buy weaving yarn from WEBS. Do you have a favorite supplier (online or local)?

Fri, 10/07/2011 - 17:13

Queenelizzy

Hi Chris! 

I am a born and rasied Mainer (Waterville) Currently live on Navajo Reservation in NE Az.  Currently working on doing a rug of Mt Kadahan (sp?)

Love your stuff! Very inspiring!

Fri, 10/07/2011 - 23:08

ChrisWeaveMaine (not verified)

Your project sounds wonderful! I love Navajo weaving and hope to visit Arizona one of these days. Can't wait to see your rug. Let me know if you need any pictures of Katahdin. :)

Sun, 10/09/2011 - 15:05

ChrisWeaveMaine (not verified)

It's a beautiful day today! The deep blue sky contrasts sharply with the red and gold leaves of autumn. It's inspired me to warp Harry, my floor loom, with a vivid rainbow and black warp for my first try at following a draft for a point twill. (At least I think that's what it's called.)

Tue, 10/11/2011 - 02:31

Weeweaver (not verified)

Hi Folks, I am ready to count heddles and thread my newest new-to-me loom. I had to replace the treadle ties and get treadle hooks as well. Next I made a new set of lease sticks from PVC, as I like them longer than the standard ones. The warp is on the new sticks and the cross ties are removed. I hope to do more tomorrow. You can see my loom on my project page.

Tue, 10/11/2011 - 15:11

ChrisWeaveMaine (not verified)

The lease sticks intrigued me. I tried making them from wooden yardsticks, but can't seem to sand them enough to stop catching fibers. I'm off to check out your project page.

Mon, 10/17/2011 - 20:05

ChrisWeaveMaine (not verified)

I attended the annual craft fair at UMO yesterday and was pleased to see a weaver selling all kinds of overshot items -- she had potholders/hotpads, rag rugs, runners. It was a nice break from the many, many jewelry makers in attendance. (Not that I didn't stop and buy jewelry, mind you.)

Wed, 10/19/2011 - 00:22

Weeweaver (not verified)

Hi Folks, I have finished weaving a dishtowel and am looking forward to the next one tomorrow. I really like this "a weaving related activity a day" stuff. 

Wed, 10/19/2011 - 10:48

ChrisWeaveMaine (not verified)

I agree..although I need to get some paying work done today. I've warped for some placemats using a pick-up stick, but I'm frozen with indecision on where to start. So many choices!
Fri, 10/21/2011 - 02:24

ChrisWeaveMaine (not verified)

The beautiful golden and rust colored leaves made me want to weave an autumn-inspired rug.  Alas, I have to earn a living, so my looms were silent today.  I'm looking forward to a wild weaving weekend though.

 

Wed, 10/26/2011 - 01:08

Weeweaver (not verified)

I had a conference last weekend in Ellsworth and couldn't weave, but I did get lobster on Sat. night. It was worth the trip. I am weaving on the third towel now.

Wed, 10/26/2011 - 01:31

ChrisWeaveMaine (not verified)

Sounds like a good trip if lobster was involved. I was taking the deposition of some commercial fishermen from Campobello last week who said now was the best time to buy/eat lobster. I'm trying pickup stick and lace patterns on my rigid heddle which is keeping me from practicing my following a draft on my floor loom. If only I didn't have to earn a living....

Wed, 10/26/2011 - 12:06

lkautio (not verified)

Hi, I live in central MA but have many connections to Maine (husband from Bridgton, parents from Rockport and Kingfield, degree from UMO, a family cottage in Norway, ME where we spend a lot of time, and a number of weaving friends).  Hope it is ok if I sit in!

Have you found connections to the weaving groups in Maine?  The largest is Mainely Weavers which meets in Falmouth but draws from a very large area <http://mainelyweavers.com/> This group is diverse, dedicated to learning, and well worth a long drive once a month.  Joining such a group is a good way to find what is happening in the state. Their website has a good list of resources including a few local and regional yarn stores and classes. There have also been several small groups scattered about the state, but I am not sure which are currently operating. 

Happy weaving,

Laurie Autio

Thu, 10/27/2011 - 01:22

Weeweaver (not verified)

Hi Laurie, I know you from the weaving list. I also know where Bridgton is, as I lived there until last year. I haven't joined Mainely Weavers because it would interfere with my work. I did go to a workshop last summer put on by the Saco Valley Fiber Artists group. I had great fun painting a skein of yarn and now need to dare to use it, lol. I am instead enjoying meeting folks here. I also just found out about another weaver in this area and hope to see her loom soon. I am weaving dishtowels for the "Demon Seamstress of Fleet Street" group for Halloweave in the hopes of being able to cut them apart and hem them instead of making fringe. I'm a beginning seamstress so am starting small. 

Thu, 10/27/2011 - 02:25

ChrisWeaveMaine (not verified)

Thanks for the link. I'll check them out. I've found a few weavers at the Fiber College in Searsport, but most are from out of state. Through Ravelry, I made a weaving friend in Dover-Foxcroft who has invited me to her spinning group. I'm 20 minutes from UMO and my daughter works at the University Credit Union on campus. If you're ever in the area, contact me...we can meet up for coffee and talk weaving. There are several good yarn shops around this area now, too.

Mon, 11/21/2011 - 04:17

jennyjbj

Hi,

I just got two new looms and am having trouble creating a balanced weave. My weft threads cover the warp.I have only done a small amt. of weaving, but I picked up a number of books. I tried just barely letting the weft touch the next weft and seem to be getting a much nicer appearance. I hope to make some plain weave linen towels or a table runner. Will the fabric be strong enough and hold together if I don't beat it very hard? I'm using the same two linen yarns for both the weft and warp. The colors vary and I want to see both yarns. I switched to a larger beater, 10 per inch instead of 12. I'm just doing a small sample with 12 yarns just to try it out. It is much harder than I suspected to get the balanced plain weave effect. Any ideas? I live in Newburgh, near Bangor.

Mon, 11/21/2011 - 14:14

lkautio (not verified)

What size is the linen you are using?  It sounds like your sett is too wide.

Laurie Autio

Tue, 11/22/2011 - 12:00

jennyjbj

The linen is 14/4. I am so new at this that I am slowly understanding sett. I tried the 12 per inch reed and that seemed even worse.  My new looms are a Glimakra 60" tapestry and a LeClerc 36" 8 shaft Jack-type Artisat. The tapestry loom is not threaded yet,  Presently, we are only using the LeClerc. I am going to warp up a large wool yarn for awhile to practice. In regards to the linen, when we used a fairly heavy yarn for the weft and beat it very easy, we got the more balanced appearance that I was looking for. We did the two twill and it looks fabulous. I had only warped up 12 ends of the linen because I wanted to try a sample. I guess we'll practice awhile before we attempt the linen again. Are there any weavers in the Bangor, Newport area interested in meeting occasionally or helping me a little? I am in Newburgh.

Tue, 11/22/2011 - 14:12

ChrisWeaveMaine (not verified)

I'm new at the big looms, but I do know the thinner the yarn, the more ends you need per inch.  (I use a 10 ends per inch sett -- meaning you warp 10 ends per inch -- only on DK knitting or almost worsted weight yarn, pretty thick.)  To determine how close your ends should be for a balanced weave, I've been told to wrap your warp yarn around a ruler for one inch, closely but not squished together, count how many yarns are in an inch, and divide that number by two.  That will determine how closely you should warp your loom.  Also, if it comes out to 24 per inch, remember that you can put two threads through each slot of your 12 epi reed (or for 30 epi, 3 in every slot of your 10 epi reed).  Hope this is helpful, and everyone, please jump in with suggestions/corrections.

 

Fri, 12/16/2011 - 16:52

herons (not verified)

Just found your group when I returned to Weaveolution after a computer melt down. I've been slow at recreating all my bookmarks. I have just moved to Gray and haven't unpacked my weaving gear yet. This move was specifically to have more room for my "Textile Studio" (fancy name is to affirm that weaving is my priority. now that I am retired). For now I have a 40" 4 harness Countermarche loom, but if I can find a used AVL "A" series loom I'm making the transition to Compu-dobby weaving. My dream loom is the "A" Series 48" Compu-dobby with 24 harnesses and the latest software system, but alas they cost as much as a new car.

When unpacking and organizing is finally done, I have a warp ready to be threaded for rug weaving. Can't wait. Before moving I swore the first thing I'd do when I got here was warp the loom, but found that the reality is, I gotta eat and bathe and sleep and a whole lotta other living to do everyday, before I can weave. C'est la vie!

Fri, 12/16/2011 - 21:10

famcruisefun (not verified)

I am thrilled to find this group - I'm a part time Maine weaver who hopes sometime in the next couple of years to make Maine life full time.  I am beginning to shop for a loom for our Maine home - we are hoping to spend months rather than weeks in Maine next year - and I can't be away from my weaving for that long. 

Good to meet all of you - looking forward to more discussions of Maine and weaving. 

Mon, 12/19/2011 - 16:58

ChrisWeaveMaine (not verified)

Don't forget to keep an eye in "Uncle Henry's" as well as the used equipment forums on Weavolution and Ravelry.  I got a great deal on my Harrisville loom through the Ravelry group.  If I could only buy time to play on it more! 

 

Thu, 01/12/2012 - 04:45

Belinda (not verified)

Hello friends, Just found you and wanted to share a neat project idea-a tapestry diary. There is one here and some on Ravelry.

Started a tapestry and it seems too big for my first project, so am thinking a smaller weekly project would be less daunting.

Fri, 01/13/2012 - 11:39

Peter Froehlich

Just joined...getting back to weaving after forty-odd years. Priced
Wed, 01/18/2012 - 14:20

Baananny

I just warped my first loom (a table WPA Peacock) after a hiatus of over 40 years!  I would love to "assist" anyone in the area when they get ready to warp...I can use the experience.  My Hammett floor loom is soon to have a room.

Mary

Mon, 01/23/2012 - 19:45

Jody54

Hi All!  I'm Jody.  I am a Mainer who has been trailing my husband all over creation like Hale-Bopp's Tail for the last 10 years.  I'm finally back home, living in Prospect (near Fort Knox.)  I have been weaving for about 30 years.  I have 5 looms, and I'm looking for either some used sectional warping equipment or some suggestions on building my own.  (I've been know to come up with some weird contraptions which work quite well.)  I'm willing to travel all over New England to pick things up.  Any suggestions?

Sat, 01/28/2012 - 02:31

Weeweaver (not verified)

Hi Folks, I am back after a small hiatus. I cleaned up the 27" Clement loom that I got in CT and am now threading it for waffle weave bathmats. I'm hoping to pick up another loom this weekend, with more harnesses, 16 in fact! I met Peter last Saturday and he left with one of my table looms to start weaving again. Welcome Peter!!! I live in Sebago, for the new folks here and I would love to weave a few yards of conversation with anyone in the area. Mostly I have to talk by phone, as I am driving all over hell's creation 6 days a week. Thank God for unlimited calling and Straight Talk, lol!!! Is anyone going to take the Warp Painting class at Halcyon next month? I am going and would love to share a ride. We can take my Prius, (she says, holding that out for a carrot) lol!

Mon, 01/30/2012 - 15:50

ChrisWeaveMaine (not verified)

Hi fellow weavers!  I've been trying to get my paid-for work done so I can play.  For those who don't know about SPA in Freeport, this is a great get-together for spinners/knitters and now more and more weavers are attending.  You can find it by googling NETA (New England Textile Association), which sounds official, but is really a totally not organized group of fiber lovers -- no membership, no dues, no classes.  Everyone just gets together in Freeport for a weekend in February of sharing what you know and learning from whoever is sitting there doing something you want to learn.  Also, there are vendors available and a few other fun events. It's February 24-26.  (I'll be taking my granddaughters to Florida that week, so unfortunately, I'm missing it this year, but I can answer questions that you have based on past years.)

 

 

Wed, 02/01/2012 - 11:42

Weeweaver (not verified)

Hi Folks, I now have the Clement loom all ready to weave bathmats, maybe today in between client rides. Sunday I am going to MA to pick up a Louet Klik 40 16s table loom with floor stand. I can't wait to see that! I'l be stopping to pick up a dear friend along the way for a good gossip and lunch together before I head home. I am trying to decide whether to wind a single warp or sections for the warp painting class. I asked the instructor and he gave me my choice. Any opinions out there? Most of my looms have sectional beams and I don't do very well with a plain beam, lots of knots and tangles, no matter how careful I try to be. 

Tue, 03/13/2012 - 00:52

ChrisWeaveMaine (not verified)

I'm experiencing a little weaving fever.  I opened the drapes to let the solar heat into my studio.  My floor loom is naked, but I've finally wound a new warp and have planned a point twill scarf in navy and pink for my granddaughter.  The rigid heddle has STILL got a weft-faced weave on it that I'm pretty sure I started back in January. I love the idea of a tapestry diary, but I have way too many distractions to weave every day.  I'm trying to spin my way through some of my accumulated stash, now that I've finally woven some of my handspun -- really fun, by the way.  What are you all up to in this fine weather?

 

Thu, 03/15/2012 - 02:13

jenjscott

I am afraid that due to niceer weather, chicken chores have seriously degraded my weaving time.  I am still working on getting new dowels in the sectional beam on my union 36.

Jen

Sun, 03/18/2012 - 00:43

Weeweaver (not verified)

Hi Folks, I have the Louet Klik 40 warped with 12 yards of painted warp from my class at Halcyon a few weeks ago. I threaded 16S Swedish Lace Hearts from Handweaving.net and wove a sample before starting on weaving material for window curtains for my bathroom and shower. so far, it looks pretty good, except I need to try a thicker weft. The hearts were kinda squatty instead of the way they should be. I know this will take a while to weave, as the shafts for each pick are lifted and lowered by hand, but I am not running a race and they will be just a pretty whenever I finish them. Time for night, night, Wee

Tue, 03/27/2012 - 15:40

ChrisWeaveMaine (not verified)

Is this an overweave technique?  I'm intrigued.  I haven't tried overweave yet, but it's definitely on my list of things to try. 

Right now, my Harrisville is still naked, but I've measured the warp for a washable (non-scratchy acrylic) scarf for my granddaughter.  She chose navy and pink point twill, so it should be vibrant. I like using these cheap yarns for practice and the kids don't care how my selvedges look.

 

Thu, 04/26/2012 - 21:17

black4sheep

I live in Old Town, work full time so do not have huge amount of time to weave, am interested at the moment in plaited twills and deflected doubleweave on 8 harnesses.

Fri, 04/27/2012 - 18:23

ChrisWeaveMaine (not verified)

I live on the Old Town side of Pushaw Lake (actually it's Hudson, but you can't get there from here... really, except by boat or snowmobile, so I usually just say it's Old Town.)   My weaving is fit in between full-time court reporting and on-call grandmothering, which is why it's months sometimes to get something done.  I love having something on the loom so if I only have 10 minutes, I can do a little weaving. You sound like an experienced weaver -- I have no idea what plaited twill or deflected doubleweave is, but would love to see pictures so I can aspire....

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 19:09

SunshineDreams

Hello! I'm interested in getting started in weaving, possibly with a Rigid Heddle Cricket loom. Right now I'm primarily interested in weaving scarves (much faster than knitting) and would like to make a Bruce clan tartan scarf for my SO. I live in the Waterville/Augusta area and wondered if anyone knew of classes taught in weaving up this way?
Fri, 10/05/2012 - 21:17

ChrisWeaveMaine (not verified)

I'm not sure about Waterville/Augusta, but there are great classes at Purple Fleece in Searsport or at Halcyon in Bath.  Don't forget to check out Ravelry.com for the rigid heddle group and there are great how to videos on u-tube.

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 21:34

ReedGuy

Hi folks,

I live just "over the line" in NB and I had a question about yarn. Do any of you know of a retailer that carries Jagger Brothers Super Lamb Lace 2/24 merino? It's 5960 yards/lb. Looks like a nice yarn for wool shirts. I would like a sett near 48 epi twil for shirts or 32 epi tabby for light sweaters, or in the ball park. Even if someone had a source of as fine as 2/30 that has an online store, that would work for me to. I would also be looking for silk.

I did find this source: Saraha's Yarns but don't know the reputation.

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 21:48

ChrisWeaveMaine (not verified)

I don't know of Canadian suppliers, but I love WEBS out of Massacusetts and Halcyon in Maine, who both have great weaving supplies. I also use The Woolery. Let me know if you have troubles finding their sites.

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 22:12

ReedGuy

I think Halcyon carry Jagger Brothers, but only list as fine as 2/18. I've also explored Webs and Woolery, but nothing fine enough. :/

Fri, 10/05/2012 - 23:01

ChrisWeaveMaine (not verified)

I found Superfine merino, 5,040 yd/lb $32 for 1/2 lb cone at lunaticfringeyarns.com.

Sat, 10/06/2012 - 06:29

ReedGuy

Same as Halcyon, it is Jaggerspun. They make finer but no one carries it except Sarahs or Colormart (carries an Italian brand merino/silk) in the UK with 2/30. One of the members said Colormart is reputable.

Fri, 03/15/2013 - 14:45

ChrisWeaveMaine (not verified)

A gentleman contacted me yesterday looking to sell his Mom's looms, etc., as she is moving to smaller apartment.  I told him I'd try and spread the word among Maine weavers.  She has an HD 4S/4T 22" for $400, and other items, including a LARGE barn loom that they'd be willing to give someone.  Let me know if you're interested and I'll e-mail you his info and pictures.

Thu, 03/28/2013 - 11:42

skiorweave

Greetings from Skowhegan! I am looking for a Schacht Wolf Pup LT (4h/6t). If anyone hears of one please call me 207-431-2293. Anne
Sat, 05/25/2013 - 13:35

Honeyfinn

Hi All, Even though this forum is not very active, I am hoping to find someone out there that knows a little about AVL looms. A 60" 16H Production mechanical Dobby loom has moved in and taken over my small home. I would love to warp it up with yarn from my flock of Finnsheep, but am a bit timid about it. I routinely weave on my HD 36/4 and am looking forward to more complex weave capabilities of the AVL. 

 

Thu, 06/20/2013 - 21:27

ChrisWeaveMaine (not verified)

The best weaving resource I know of is Deb of Purple Fleece, Stockton Springs.  I, too, have a HD 36 (8), but I know Deb is very experienced and always willing to teach.  I know she does one-on-one classes in spinning and weaving, so be sure to give her a call if you haven't found help yet.

Fri, 07/12/2013 - 16:31

Fiddler2 (not verified)

I guess you could say I live in Southern Maine! I am lucky to live in a little cabin on a pond, and have a old reconditioned office trailer as my weaving studio housing an old patchwork Cambridge 45" Floor Loom , a Schacht 15" Table loom , a Harrisville Easy Weaver for when the grandkids are old enough. My youngest at 15 months sits in my lap while I weave on the floor loom. I also Spin, Knit and am learning to play fiddle. Glad we have some Mainers here! Been weaving sporadically for about 10years, but only recently decided to get active again. Weaving towels at the moment -Summer and Winter.

-Sandiein Maine 2!

 

Fri, 09/06/2013 - 00:58

ARobinson

Hi!  I live in Holden, just outside of Bangor.  I am a fairly new weaver, and am loving it!  I will be attending Fiber College Friday and Saturday, and am super excited!  Will any of you be attending?

Mon, 09/09/2013 - 07:59

ReedGuy

I found another weaving retailor in NY who carries the worsted superfine merino 2/24. I'm going to order a couple 1 lb cones this fall to sample for shirt cloth. It is superwashed, so may not full much, but may not be an issue being so fine and using twill drafts.

Comfortcloth Weaving

Group Audience
Maine Weavers