Weaving!

I'm weaving again!!!


The warp is all tied on and ready to go. I am weaving a sampler for tops. I weave a sampler to determine what colors I will use in the weft. The sampler gets washed and decisions are made. Sometimes washing makes the colors look different as the yarns full. I am always surprised at how after washing the weft color can change in relation to the warp threads. Sometimes what I think will work doesn't and what I throw in just for the heck of it does. I love working with color!

"Beam me up Scotty"!

It feels good to be back to work! I had to remember how to "dress a loom". That's weaving language for putting the warp (yarn) on the back beam. It has been a long time. I was able to "beam" a 10 yard warp on my Louet loom yesterday. I thought I would share some of that process with you.

Today I threaded the yarn through the heddles. The next step is to "sley the reed"! Where did this terminology come from?! After that I will tie the warp onto the front apron bar, attach the shafts to the treadles and hopefully be ready to weave.

The pressure is on to get ready for the show I am doing in Greenwich, CT at the Bruce Museum on May 19 & 20. I have to weave enough inventory to have a good presentation in my booth display. I also want to make some money!!! That also has been a long time!!!!

Unpacking

I've been unpacking the yarn and putting my looms together. I've found some warps that were packed away ready to go on the looms. Yeah! I'm hoping that maybe next week I can get one of them on the loom and start weaving. Of course I still have loads of interior painting to do but since I am doing a show in Connecticut on May 19 and 20, I need to start weaving some inventory. It is a slow process getting everything organized and unpacked.

Last weekend I took a class with Carter Smith of Shibori (Tie Dye) textile fame. I came away with 3 beautiful silk samples of this dyeing process. It was an interesting day and left me inspired. Those of you in New England area check out Carter's exhibit at The Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton, MA. His fabrics are amazing!

Here are pictures of my samples from the workshop.