This and that

I asked for a specific things for Christmas, and my kids came through in spades. Most aren’t particularly photogenic, but these 2 are, both from LaBrise Stained Glass.

A cardinal pair in my front window...

...and a sweet chickadee in the studio.

On the weaving front, in a reply to a comment on that post about the weavies, it occurred to me that I didn’t know if a single weavie would reasonably suffice as a mug rug. Would the wool transfer moisture to the table/surface underneath it? I wanted to know, because I didn’t think I could sell any if I priced them high enough to account for the work involved in making 2 weavies, sewing them together, and stuffing them. So I did an experiment.

I got 3 different of my test weavies. From left to right they are a single strand of sock yarn, a double strand of sock yarn, and a single strand of worsted weight wool. I put a paper towel under the row of 3 and a glass of water with ice cubes on each. I figure I’d be able to more easily see if the paper towel got wet/damp than my table top.

I waited. The ice melted but nothing happened. The glasses didn’t sweat, which was needed for the test. So I dumped out most of the remaining water, and filled each glass up with ice. Now they’d sweat for sure.

The bottom line? The sock yarns, which are a fiber blend, transferred a tiny bit of moisture to the paper towel; the worsted wool transferred none. So I think I’ll make some to sell this summer and see what kind of interest I get. Weavies are a great thing to d in the evening while I’m watching TV.

Moving on, I did get those ‘beach’ towels from the last post woven and off the loom. I intended to do the hand hemming last nigh in front of the tube, but Jack decided he MUST have more attention, so that was the end of that.

While I was weaving the towels I tried to figure out what I wanted to weave for jury photos. I decided I’d try the circle shawl from the November/December 2014 issue of Handwoven.

I’ve looked at it several times since 2014, so now I was going to jump in. Of course I wanted my own interpretation, basically jus using their measurements for a finished piece.

I planned the whole thing out with some beautiful, thick-ish mercerized cotton. Then it was time for bed. By the next morning I realized I wouldn’t like the plan. Why? My warp would be in stripes because I didn’t have enough of any single color of the yarn, and those stripes would end up being horizontal in the finished piece. I don’t like wearing horizontal stripes, and figured others would feel the same. Hmmmmmm.....think again, Peg.

I didn’t really want a solid color warp. Using a variegated yarn in the weft has never pleased me; I really only like them in warp. How would I solve this problem?

Another lightbulb, and another pass through the stash and I found some beautiful bamboo-cotton yarn that I’ve had for a few years, hand painted by another fiber artist. I’ve now measured out that warp and plan to get it on the loom tomorrow.

While I was winding I realized I have 3 very cool options for some novelty yarn that would look smashing with this warp. But again, they’d be horizontal stripes. So I’m going to try to use them in the weft. We’ll see how that goes.

January 3rd, 2019 | 

3 more done

Another new thing to try for me, suggested by a fellow weaver...using a mixed warp of cottons and rayons for the warp with a bi of rayon chenille thrown in, and then rayon chenille for the weft.

My warp contained four cottons in various sizes and colors, one vintage rayon boucle, and one commercially-dyed rayon chenille. I tried to wind them using a warping paddle, but I had no ‘paddle’ experience and felt like I needed at least one more hand to make it work. Then I tried simply winding all 6 together, but the rayon boucle was behaving badly. So I wound 4 strands of the cottons the length I needed, changing the colors of those cottons to some extent, and separately wound the boucle and the rayon chenille together. I used 2 sets of lease sticks and beamed them together.

Although my weaver friend setts hers at 12EPI, I wasn’t brave enough to go there, so I sett my warp at 15EPI. My friend cautioned me to not beat firmly or my fabric would be too stiff. Hmmmm, I said. I tied up the first piece as a point twill and set about weaving, beating gently.

This shawl is very cushy – thick and warm. I liked the way the weaving pattern looked, but wanted to see more of that warp. Plus the whole thing was darker than I had in mind with that weft, and I was concerned that I had some 4-end and 5-end floats so I decided I’d make this into a typical fringed shawl instead of the jacket I had planned.

For the second piece I changed the tie up so that there were shorter floats – nothing longer than 3 ends – and used an oatmeal bamboo chenille. Ooo la la, I really liked this, so wove enough length for this one to be the jacket. Soooo soft and drapes beautifully.

I had enough warp left for a big cowl. This time I picked a golden rayon chenille for weft, and really like this color, too.

And here’s the conehead picture with the cowl up.

This makes 14 pieces completed this month! And still, from July to now, I’m just on track with my goals, on average. Sigh.

I can’t wait to see what the reaction is to my new pieces at the show this weekend.

November 28th, 2018 | 

Zooming along

I’m weaving as fast as I can, so lots of other things aren’t getting done. Dust bunnies are building up around my house like mad Seemingly simple things like setting up glam shots for my finished pieces – one piece at a time with a nice clean background – doesn’t happen. The good news is it’s working. I’m getting lots of weaving accomplished. So without further ado, here’s more th I’ve finished so far this month – up to 11 finished pieces – Woo Hoo!

First up are 3 rayon chenille scarves; I’m calling them Paint the Town Red.

I wove these on the Missouri which is stationed at the pop up shop. From left to right is a short cowl, a long cowl, and a long scarf. The long cowl is already spoken for.

I just finished weaving a rayon chenille warp. Here it is while beaming...you can see the ladder ribbon which I’d planned to use as supplemental warp. Had only done supplemental a little bit before, and wasn’t sure if I’d like it.

I still wasn’t sure as I wove. The ladder ribbon was decidedly un-lovely. But, as it was supplemental (not essential to the cloth; could be removed after weaving without any impact on the fabric), I kept going on it.

Well. I know my newest baby is often my favorite, but I am particularly fond of these pieces. The ladder ribbon ‘jumped’ out during the wet finishing stage, and looks great, IMHO. Here’s the mobi, front and back, on Dolly, who I think wears mobis slightly better than Lady Jane.

And the jacket, front and back, on Lady Jane, who definitely wears the jackets better.

And worst of all pictures, the cowl, up and down. The first one is decidedly not color correct, but it’s the best I could do. I kept it because it does show that I used each of the warp colors in the weft, in a rather random manner.

This cowl may be spoken for. I’ll know for sure soon.
Gotta get back to the loom – 3 more pieces measured, ready to beam!

November 18th, 2018 | 

Meet Lady Jane

A woman in my Guild has made a few poseable mannequins for use at our Holiday Sale. I asked if she’d make one for me, and she was happy to do so. Although I don’t generally name my cars, looms, or other inanimate objects, occasionally I do. Dolly ha a name. In my head this was the wooden lady. That quickly turned into Lady Jane. Here’s her debut in my newest jacket. A combination of cotton and rayon with a black weft, I’m happy with the odd texture of that novelty yarn.

Lady Jane can rock the mobi, too. The cranberry weft adds an appealing red tint to the whole piece.

She can even wear a big cowl, although it’s not perfect.

Here are the same pieces shown before Jane arrived.

That last pic is the definition of conehead, eh?
Which photos do you like better? Which show the pieces off to their benefit?

I will bring Jane to the show later this month, although that may mean I need to lose one more table. Since I have less stock, that may be just fine. Win-win? I think so.

November 15th, 2018 | 

Wow - that was unexpected

I usually consider myself a quick study. I learn most things pretty easily. So I was excited back in September to take a class in triaxial weaving – weaving in 3 different directions, in this case with 1/4′′ ribbon.

The first layer of weaving was simple straight lines. No problem. The second layer was weaving in a different color ribbon in a specific pattern and at an angle. Easy peasy.

The third layer was using yet another color ribbon, using the opposite angle to layer 2. I didn’t get it. I couldn’t see the patterns. tried with paper in fatter strips, thinking maybe that would help. Nope. By the end of the class, I still didn’t get it, although others in the class did. (Clarification...I could absolutely see the pattern in a completed piece; I could not figure out how to weave that third layer to make the design.)

I came home and put it aside. “I don’t have time for this.” Then this weekend I needed to do a few hours of demonstration on Saturdsay afternoon at the Weavers’ Guild Holiday Sale. What would I demo? I wanted it to be triaxial weaving. “Come on, I can do this!” So I spent at least 3 hours on Thursday evening, looking at the teacher’s handout and a few YouTube videos and playing with ribbon.

Nope. Nada. I don’t see it.
Friday evening I probably spent another 2 hours. Same results. Nothing.
Saturday morning, suddenly I got it! I saw the pattern! I made a sample out of paper to ensure that I really had it. Yep, I did.

So that afternoon I went to the Sale and did a demo on trixial weaving. I explained to everyone who came by that I was very new at it, and therefore slow. But I am SO pleased with my results!!

Moving on, I was SHOCKED when I went back at the end of the sale to pick up my unsold pieces. There were SO FEW of them I sold all the socks I had dyed for the sale, and eight of my handwoven towels. But WHAT??!!

I sold that chenille jacket so beautifully modeled in the last post, as well as this cotton & bamboo jacket, which I finished Wednesday evening for Thursday morning screening.

I sold the mobi made on the same warp, also finished Wednesday evening.

I sold a rayon chenille mobi made in the spring, and the Brilliant Ideas mobi with the light weft. (I’d already sold the one with th dark weft to a friend.)

That’s all great news! So exciting and rewarding that people really liked my things!

That’s also the bad news, as now I have no jackets and only 1 mobi to bring to the Roycroft sale at the end of this month. I have to work REALLY HARD for the next few weeks!

So I got this warp on the loom right away. Cotton, rayon, and a novelty yarn in different weights, transitioning from burnt orange to dusty rose.

Now I’ve got to get back to the loom!

November 5th, 2018 |

Having fun, making progress

 Although I’ve been feeling stressed about being behind in my weaving goals, months ago I’d made plans to visit another weave the lovely Hilary at Crazy as a Loom, and I wasn’t going to cancel it.

Hilary is talented, funny, gracious, and inspiring, eager to share some ideas about boosting sales and upping my weaving game She and hubby, along with their sweet dog and cat, welcomed me with open arms, and cooked, too! The visit was short, but totally enjoyable.

I came home and got to it! I’d finished weaving a warp before I left, but hadn’t finished either piece yet, so did that first off. Both were going to dramatically benefit from having a human model for the photos, so I took them to the pop up shop on Saturday, i hopes that a customer would be willing to model for me. That didn’t happen, but I did sell a piece, before I even had it tagged! S I took photos on a mannequin, the best I could do.

It’s a large cowl, roughly 24′′ wide and 32′′ around. When worn around the neck, it’s soooo luxurious! There’s plenty of fabric there to pick it up and put it over your head for a loose hood.

Then on Sunday I took a class at the Weaving Center. I’m not a felter, and not interested in becoming one, but wanted to support the teacher, who is a friend, especially since it was her first time teaching at the Center. I made a felted vessel, which to me, is reminiscent of the human circulatory system.

The particularly interesting thing about this class is that the whole point was to take a failed felting project, rip it apart, and turn it into something new. Very fun and creative.

After class was over I got my friend to model my latest garment, a rayon chenille jacket. I am very proud of this piece, and it definitely doesn’t show off on a hanger. Unfortunately in this first photo I caught her with her eyes closed.

I would have tossed this photo, but you can see that the front drapes (although I could have done better at setting her up). Then she was willing to mug for the camera to show it to advantage.

I wish this sweet young woman lived next to me and would pose for all my photos!

Almost as an aside, I finished a piece of rayon chenille I’ve had sitting for months, turning it into a neck cuff/collar with a bit of crochet and some buttons.

Now I’ve got another warp on the loom, planned for another jacket and a mobi.

This warp is a combination of bamboo and cotton. I really like the way the colors change from all silver at one end to all gold at the other. The interesting thing is that I used several sizes of yarn, from 10/2 to 3/2, so had to think about how I would sett it. If my loom was wider I would have sett the 10/2 at 18 or 21EPI and the 3/2 & 5/2 at 15EPI, but that wouldn’t have fit on my loom. So I sett them at 24 and 15EPI, respectively. Hoping it drapes well.

October 29th, 2018 |

Bookmarks & briliance

 I was reminded just how much slower it is to use levers on a table loom than treadles on a floor loom while I wove these 22 bookmarks on my Missouri loom at the pop up shop.

I think they look rather like a fanciful turkey tail here.

After I finally finished these I brought in a rayon chenille warp AND the setup to connect the treadles for this loom. SOOOO muc more efficient!

Meanwhile at home I finally finished the warp painted vs. skein painted pieces. It was interesting...while I was weaving them I alternately loved and hated them. That’s unusual for me. So I had to reserve judgement till I got all 3 off the loom, finished, and hung. Now I like them all. So, in the order woven and finished...

This shawl has a black tencel 8/2 weft. Although the picture has a bright side where the light is and a dark side with shadow, I feel that the colors are accurate, so didn’t try to make any ‘improvements.’

Next up, I think some of my customers wouldn’t like the brightness of the above colors, so decided to tone them down with a natural weft. I used 3 strands of 16/2 unbleached cotton held and wound together on the bobbin.

For the last piece, I intended to sew a 30-minute jacket with it, so wanted a cotton weft. I chose a really dark 8/2 navy unmercerized cotton. I like the interplay of the shiny tencel and the matte finish cotton.

After it was all woven, washed, and dried, and I sat down to do the sewing. Oops! Don’t know what I was thinking...I need half- again as much length for that as I had planned for and woven, so it, too, turned into a mobi.

I don’t know if I prefer the light or the dark. I do know I like the concept of using both warp painted and skein painted yarns in the same piece and will do that again.

I also know that I’m getting anxious about my weaving output. Between dyeing, towels, socks, onesies, and slow-woven bookmarks, I am nowhere near meeting my monthly goals. That means I either need to significantly over-produce in November and December — hard to do with the holidays — or resign myself to cutting out one of the great shows I do in the summer. The applications for both are due early in 2019, and I need to be confident I can build my stock sufficiently to be ready for both. Not sure how this will turn out.

October 22nd, 2018 |