Taking on Challenges in Weaving

Many of us have watched this project hatch and evolve since September 2011 and it was with great excitement that I witnessed Janice McClenaghan cut this tartan blanket that she designed based on her family tartan,  made of Blue Mountain 2/8 worsted wool. What an incredible undertaking, woven at 16epi, a 60" width and about 7' in length ( I think). This will certainly be a prized family object for generations to come. Congratulations Janice for a successful completion of what was definitely a daunting and challenging task.

Speaking of daunting and challenging tasks, many of us remember Jill Bidgood weaving this very sophisticated shawl a year ago and which we have only just now been able to get a photo of it. It was a very fine  alpaca lace weight wool, woven in a huck pattern with a black warp and dark gray weft. Those of us who were present while Jill was weaving this recall the many technical challenges that this shawl gave her due to the fact that she was using a yarn made for knitting and not formulated for weaving. When doing fine weaving it is advisable to use yarn formulated for weaving. Again, congrautlations Jill on this extraordinary effort and you wear it with style and pazazz (or is it pizazz?!?)

Mimma Draga wove several beautiful scarves based on designs that were featured in Handwoven Magazine a couple of years ago, based on Peter Collingwood's designs. She used 2/18 merino wool and the pattern thread is a merino knitting yarn. While setting up, Mimma discovered an error in the pattern. She noticed that in the photograph for the project that Peter Collingwood's original notes, were casually placed on the table, intended mostly as a prop for  whatever else was in the photo. She magnified the image to figure out what his notes actually said about the pattern and was able to correct the error in the instructions. If you'd like more details about it let us know.

Susan Abrams just finished this 8 end M's and O's table runner. She too the pattern from page 114 in the book Mastering Weave Structures by Sharon Alderman. The colour is actually navy blue. Very dark colours are the most difficult to photograph and still get the detail, especially if it is subtle patterning in the same or similar colour.

Past and present students  Links, events, activities, resources, exhibitions related to weaving:

• Donna Kim is having a chair caning weaving class starting soon. Go to www.edgeofyourseat.ca to find out more about the exciting project she'll be teaching you how to do.
• Linda Needles, president of the Nottawasaga Handweavers and Spinners sent this link for all tapestry lovers http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2005/04/11/050411fa_fact
• In Europe in the coming months? visit this tapestry exhibition

European Tapestry Forum's triennial
exhibition ARTAPESTRY3 opens in Silkeborg Bad on May 17.

Attached please find the invitation and a press release. Please feel free to use them to publicize the exhibition. A more comprehensive press kit and images are availble if you are interested. The 80-page catalogue will be on sale through mail order via the secretariat at mail@tapestry.dk later this month.

The exhiibition of 51 tapestries by 38 artists from 14 countries is in Denmark from May 17 - August 26 and then travels on to Finland, Sweden and France before closing in Riga, Latvia (as part of the European cultural capital program) in 2014.

• A great interview with Barbara Heller, a reknowned and well respected tapestry weaver. It's very candid and truthful and I'm sure you'll enjoy it. http://www.worldofthreadsfestival.com/artist_interviews/059_barbara_heller_12.html

• Gwen Tooth has a couple of exhibitions happening right now:

 “IMPRESSIONS OF LAKE ONTARIO”, show of small pastel sketches, Mimico Centennial Library, Toronto, May, 2012 http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca.  47 Station Road, Toronto M8V 2R1. 416-394-5330. Second floor study area.  (stairs; no elevator)  Artist in attendance: Thursday, May 17 from 3 pm to 5 pm. Library hours: TuWed 12:30 p.m. – 8:30 pm.; ThFr 10 am to 6 pm; Sat 9 am to 5 pm.

“DIVERSITY IN ABSTRACTION” two person show, Alice Berloni and Gwen Tooth, Neilson Park Creative Centre, May  15  to  June 3, 2012 www.neilsonparkcreativecentre.com.  Artists in Attendance:  Thursday, May 17 from 7 to 9 pm. Main level entrance; no steps.

The Wednesday classes have now terminated for the year. There are still two Monday classes left: May 28 and June 4. Classes will resume mid September and I will be sending out an email to remind you to register and to give you the dates the classes will start up again.

There is still room for more people in the dye day August 25, Saturday taking place in Georgetown all day. The cost is $30 and let me know if you'd like to join us. Prepare warps and skeins ..... silk, bamboo, soy, tencel and cotton are the fibres that can be dyed.

Lots more photos of projects to share with you still over the coming weeks. Have a good long weekend!

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