3 finished scarves

I’ve had these three tencel scarves, woven with some of my handpainted yarn, finished for a while, but somehow still don’t have them tagged. Ditto with those towels I wove more than a month ago. I told myself I wouldn’t let this happen again, that I’d tag things immediately. Clearly I lie to myself all the time. Sigh.

Anyway, I showed them to you on the loom. Interesting how different some things look when they’re off the loom and you can se the whole piece at once.

I’m not fond of the scarf with the black weft, even though I usually love this weave structure. It’s just too dark overall.

Honestly, I can’t decide which of these two cowls I prefer. The shorter cowl with the sienna weft in a simple zig zag weave pattern...

...or the longer cowl in a diamond weave pattern, with an orange weft and a few bands of gold.

I have a few more things complete – or almost – for next time. I’ve also been working on that skirt I mentioned in an earlier post have so many ideas! If only I had as much time and energy a I had thoughts.

February 11th, 2019 |

My first cloak - and a question

Handwoven (November/December 2014) calls this a circle shawl. Another weaver who makes something similar calls hers cloaks. I don’t know what to call mine. UPDATE: My ever-brilliant daughter tells me that they are commonly called open front cardigans these days. That’s what I’ll call mine!

I used the directions in Handwoven only somewhat. I didn’t use their warping or weaving directions at all, modified the dimensions in their sewing directions, and added a lining to the armhole. And I’ll make more modifications next time.

I wish I’d been bolder with the colors, but there’s time enough to change that. I’m sure I will make more of these, whatever they’re called, for my summer show(s).

My daughter, who’s quite fashion-conscious, gave the thumbs up on the design. Yay!
Now for my question. I’m hoping that at least one of my readers will have some input for me.

I’ve been very busy so far this year – helping to paint the interior of a home, spending time with family & friends, and lately spending many hours shoveling. So I am VERY behind on meeting my monthly weaving goals. Now I know that my garments, things that have both more fabric and more hand work involved, will sell for more than a flat piece of fabric that’s a scarf or shaw so I’ll need fewer total items, but still...I need to have a certain amount of inventory to set up a booth at a show. I’d really like to apply to both of my good summer shows, one in July, one in August. But I can’t yet know if I can realistically produce enough for both shows.

When I moved 3-1/2 years ago, in August, I had to bail on the August show. They did accept me back when I applied the next year, but...

If I end up with not enough inventory, or sell way more than I anticipate at the July show, and have to back out of the August show again, will I be black balled? Or do shows expect a certain number of artists to back out each year?

January 23rd, 2019 | 

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 |