Diversity of weaving projects, purpose, techniques opportunities

 Weaving will keep one endlessly fascinated with the myraid array of weave structures and techniques. And if that doesn't make your head spin, there is much more to learn about looms and the assortment of equipment there is. Cassandra Morton is shown above with her just completed Doubleweave sampler based on Jennifer Moore's book. Cassandra took it  a step further, exploring how possible it is to create wavy lines instead of only straight and diagonal lines as well as introducing a third colour to explore the visual effect.

Leslie Wynn has been exploring her ideas at home and created a cushion and matching matt/wall hanging using mostly Harrisville yarn.

Cheryl Kerfoot brought in her exquisite collection of miniature overshot coverlets, handwoven and created for the doll house collectors. Below, a miniature weaving created by Margaret Tumity's husband based on one they had seen in the US. Apparently it was selling for $300. The loom actually works though the system is basic.

Amy Stein created this scarf using a  twill tapestry technique she learned while doing a workshop with Peter Harris. It is a very slow process requiring about 45 minutes for each row!!!!! The technique allows you to inlay a design. Amy created a free hand design which was then transferred to Stitch Painter on a grid, and using this grid as a reference, was able to create the design. She also wove this semi-sheer cotton curtain using an assortment of finger manipulated lace weaves. The picture below does it no justice and so we'll look forward to seeing another picture of it hanging on her French door, its intended destination. Amy will be leaving soon to live a year in France with her family.

Cheryl Yetman created this shimmering and almost psychodelic bamboo shawl using a pattern from the Handweavers Pattern Directory. Everyone was and is completely mesmerized by the impact of the design. It's inspired other people in the class to recreate the same pattern.

INTERESTING LINKS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Carla Duncan writes: I have been looking for ideas about painted warp and found some images on this blog that helped give me ideas about the process. This may also be interesting to the other students taking the class.
http://lifeloomslarge.blogspot.com/2010/02/warp-painting-so-far-so-good.html

TASARA INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON TEXTILE, 1 July to 15 August 2012
A residential workshop exploring a variety of weaving and surface-design techniques, in a secluded, family-run setting. Experience India's legendary monsoon season in a place with year-round mild temperatures on Kerala's green coast.

Techniques include handweaving, natural dyeing, shibori, multicolour batik, wood block printing, silk screen printing, felting, tie and dye, etc. Instruction will be provided 5 days a week, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Four-week residencies are offered during the workshop session which will run from 1 July (Sunday) to 15 August (Wednesday) 2012. The fee for a four-week residency will be 900 Euros per person, double occupancy, or 1200 Euros single occupancy. The fee covers tuition and basic workshop materials, accommodation in a spacious guest house, and all meals, including breakfast and dinner of south Indian cooking and self-catered lunch.

For more information and to register, please contact by March._26th. Confirmation of your registration by payment of 50% of the fee will be due by _30th April.
Registration is limited to 10 participants
vasudevantasara@yahoo.com www.tasaraindia.com

FINAL NOTES:

• If you are intending to return to the weaving classes for spring, please be sure to sign up if you have not already, especially if you have projects on the loom.
• Last Monday class is March 19. The spring Monday class starts April 2 and the Wednesday class starts March 28. The classes run for 8 weeks.
• The Painted Warp Off/On loom will start March 28 6-9pm.
• The Field Trip to the City of Toronto Textile Archives will be on June 6 Wednesday at 10:30 am. There is limited space so please book your spot asap.
• What to do when you've threaded your loom and you made a threading mistake and don't want to re-thread. A new items that I am excited about are clip on repair heddles  now available for both floor looms and table looms. They are $3 each.

Weaving Challenges have something to teach us and the latest woven projects

Each weaving project  captures a certain period in our life. While we are preparing the warp threads, dressing the loom, weaving the item, countless thoughts, feelings and events travels through our mind. The woven project becomes almost a record of that period, whether through easy or challenging times, it is a testament to our lives, our perserverance and our hope. We learn in weaving, as in life, that if we work steadily through the frustrations, the disappointments, the challenges that each project brings to us, we will still produce something that others will certainly admire, eventhough we may not being having such kind thoughts about our work. The lessons we learn while weaving can very much be applied to our daily lives and relationships with ourselves and others.

Anne is featured above in front of her doubleweave afghan. She had many challenges with this. She was very enthusiastic about this wonderful hand dyed mohair yarn from New Zealand which she purchased when she was there for a few months. We discovered that doubleweave with sticky yarn/wool is not a good idea, and using a counterbalance made it even more challenging. The project started out with the intention of being a cape, and due to the challenges, Anne decided to make it a throw. Anne responded to last week's blog and said:  "Thank you for this wonderful posting. It was very meaningful to me, as is your wise friendship. I finished my blanket, and it looks really lovely. I have decided to give it to Phil, my husband, as his 60th birthday present. I will tell him how this weaving project is similar to our relationship - imperfect, difficult in the making, but beautiful, warm, and worth the effort. I wanted to give up on it, and I now so appreciate your heartfelt encouragement to persist and complete it......" What you have said here Anne, I know inspires us all!

Gert Rogers completed this afghan for her daughter in Lemieux 2 ply.  She is making another for another daugther. Gert asked me why I write the blog. It's easy for me because you, and each student, what they say, how they react, what they do, inspires me and I enjoy writing about and sharing what inspires me.

Registration for the Spring weaving classes has begun. Please register asap. At risk are the evening classes in particular, Monday evening. If you have a project on a loom and are intending to complete, please get your registration in immediately. Spring weaving classes start Wednesday March 28 and Monday April 2. The special course offered for Wednesday evening is Painted Warp off and on Loom. Registration for this is directly with me (Line Dufour).

We love the versatility and gratification we get from the 12" Ashford Knitters Loom. We can whip a project up quickly and satisfy our weaving cravings! This is Michelle Dubois' first knitters loom project. If you like small looms, check out the Ashford Katie Loom....an 8 harness sampler loom. http://www.ashford.co.nz/newsite/weaving-wheels-looms/102/weaving/katie-table-loom/moredetail.html . If you'd like to order it, I'll give you $50. off and free shipping as the special of the day.

What is nice about weaving with other people around you is the positive energy it creates. Janice has been working on her family tartan blanket and another student left her a lovely and admiring note. Kate sent me an email saying : "I have really enjoyed this weaving that I am working on. And it is nice to just be working away back there and kind of listening to conversations. Last week a lot of people stopped by to see how my little weaving was going. That was very nice of them." We should have a picture of Kate's latest 'postcard' series soon.

Lynne Wilson-Orr just finished her tapestry sampler. This photograph does it no justice. She's off this spring to learn tapestry weaving with Maximo Laura in Peru. If you think you'd be interested in such an adventure go to : http://www.puchkaperu.com/. Debbie Harris has already been and loved it. Judite Vagners is also going, another weaver who regularly attends our classes.

LINKS YOU SEND ME

Weaving in nature video sent to us by Rose Ruffolo: http://www.snotr.com/video/7331/The_Living_Bridge. You never know just how well your weaving skills might might save the day!

Cheryl Kerfoot sent me this link about miniature weaving. There is a big market for well made miniature handwoven items for doll houses. http://www.weevings.com/. Cheryl has taken classes with this person.

See you next week!