Passionate about weaving

Linda Morganstein wove this stunning tapestry. She was inspired by a photo downloaded from the internet. Below, the reverse side of the tapestry, which makes the flames look more 3 dimensional! Linda makes incredible special event cakes and if you need one for a special occassion email her at lindacakesca@yahoo.com and or visit her website at http://www.onceuponacake.ca/ .

Over the last several weeks we've been doing a painted warp workshop trying an assortment of fabric dyes, paints and other media. This scarf was recently dyed and woven by Carla Duncan. Below is also another shawl that she has been weaving in the class and those of us who have been there have watched it proceed very slowly and impeccably. All of us noticed how perfect Carla's edges are. Notice the irridescence of the fabric. To obtain an irridescence combine two colours, one for the warp and one for the weft, that are close in value and close to each other on the colour wheel. If you don't know what a colour wheel is then we've got to talk!

Here are some pictures of the last of the techniques we tried in our painted warp workshop and here we are trying on loom warp painting techniques. Further down you can see some of what the participants tried on their warps.

I haven't had many people express interest in the dye day for August 25. It is $30 to participate and you have to prepare your own yarn to dye. Please let me know if you'll be participating and rsvp your spot.

There is still room left in the Ikat/Kasuri workshop in July - the 9th to the 13th. Please let me know if you are interested. I promise you it will be very inspiring. You don't have to be an advanced weaver to take this workshop. Kasuri is usally done in plain weave so its an easy set up. Its $250 for the week 10 to 4 or $300 if you want lunch. If you think you are interested you should let me know because there is preparation you need to do to be ready for it. If you have any questions about it let me know.

Leslie Wynn always takes an unconventional approach to her weaving. She was inspired by another students project, Cheryl Yetman who used the same pattern. Leslie put her own spin on it by deciding to maintain elements that might be considered mistakes, or even waste. She likes assymetry which is why the band of what was supposed to be scrap at the beginning of the weaving was kept.

Many of you have reserved your spot for the June 6 Field trip to the City of Toronto's archive for historical textiles. Neil Brochu, one of our weaving class participants, works there and will show us some samples from their collection. Those of you who have signed up will get detailed instructions as to the location and address. Its a top secret location because its not usually open to the public except for researchers and other related organizations. We have reached maximum capacity for the number of people on this field trip.

You can see people have been super busy with their weaving and lots are coming off looms of late. Michelle Dubois has been thoroughly exploring the possibilities with a knitters loom. In the above sample, she played with colour order and the patterns that this can create. This is called colour and weave effect. All with plain weave. Plain weave is so diverse and has so many possibilities. She's promised to make one for the class.

Michelle also wove these scarves and she says she took yarns from the weaving class scrap bin to make them. All cotton.

This dazzling array of colour are placemats woven by Maureen Krinicic. She wove 11 placemats (though she wanted 12)...ooops! something went wrong with the calculation there! Her theme was Easter and she was very successful in capturing its essence in her choice of colours.

Andrew wrote to me recently :

Here is the link about the blue jean story on CBS Sunday Morning ( aired last Sunday ). Part of the story showcases a one man high-end blue jean maker:

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7407648n&tag=cbsnewsTwoColUpperPromoArea
 Blue Jeans: The fabric of freedom

Serena Altschul explores the history of denim, from America's mines to the designer jean stores of today.

Here is the company website and the back story...

http://www.roydenim.com/story

There are lots more pictures of projects coming in the next few weeks. If a picture of your project isn't here, it will be coming in the next few weeks. We just have too many right now.....which is of course, great!

Lastly, thank you to those who have sponsored me on my Ride for Heart that will take place on June 3. Some of you said you want a photo of me there and I'll be sure to send you one. If you would like to sponsor me go to http://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=482564&lis=1&kntae482564=16302EB53DAB46C29930A7ECB67EDA29&supId=356112001