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.