Curious about Weaving

Jane Richmond, Tiffy Thompson, Lyziane Cantin

This week Tiffy Thompson and Lyziane Cantin from PROPELLERIDEAS.COM came to interview me, and learn more about the weaving classes I teach.

Barbara Aikman and Lyziane Cantin

Jane Richmond, Elyse Hastings, Jessica Brosseau

At the same time, Elyse Hastings, whose job is marketing the Continuing Education courses offered through the Toronto District School Board, also came by to interview us and see what it was like to be in the weaving class. I was touched by what she had to say before she departed: "This is the friendliest most welcoming place that I've been to so far. You've created a really beautiful atmosphere and its a wonderful place to be". Elyse sent me a link where you can see more photographs that she took at the weaving class. She wrote to me by email: "Line, what a beautiful little workshop you have created! It's very inspiring. I have included the link to the album with the pictures from today's visit and once I get a little bit more time I'll be posting some of the video I took as well. Thanks for welcoming me into the world of weaving today!" http://on.fb.me/1032SdR

Tiffy Thompson tries her hand at tapestry weaving on the international tapestry project, Fate, Destiny and Self Determination, funded by the Ontario Arts Council.

Linen runner woven by Yukiko Amano. Pattern taken from Twill Thrills book.

Mimma Draga let me know about these websites where you can download weaving patterns at no charge:

 

This is the website address: http://www.handweaving.net/Home.aspx. It truly is an awe inspiring site when you see all graphic draw downs, especially in colour.

The other site that has archives full of weaving patterns is found here: http://www.cs.arizona.edu/patterns/weaving/.

For an update on the International tapestry project, Fate, Destiny and Self Determination click on the link below. 150 people from 20 countries are participating and the number grows each day. Please come out and weave on the group tapestry and add your name to the growing list. All participants will be acknowledged when the project is exhibited.
http://tapestryline.blogspot.ca/2013/03/a-propeller-of-project.html
This project has been generously funded by the Ontario Arts Council/Conseil des Arts de l'Ontario.

Where will your weaving path lead you?

Silk twill scarf by Alex Avdichuck

Recently I interviewed Pat Burns Wendland, a well respected weaver and creater of one of a kind handwoven garments. Registrants in the Spring weaving classes will have the opportunity to visit her studio and home May 29. More details at a later date

Linda Morgenstein with her handwoven chenille scarf that inspired a other students to discover the luxurious feeling of rayon chenille.

. I asked Pat what advice she had to give to less experienced weavers. This is what she had to say:

"...... you don’t have to have a lot harnesses to create something beautiful.....There is so much you can do with plain weave and simpler weaving structures . Not everything I do works out and these failures are learning opportunities.” The path to success [in our weaving endeavours] is littered with disasters, failures and rejections.....My life as a weaver has been a long journey. It’s a journey where each weaver decides for him or herself what the path and stops are, and which avenues you want to explore. “

Kimono by Pat Burns Wendland: handwoven fabric, hand dyed, disperse dye technique to create shapes.

Pat believes that the weaving journey is one of ongoing learning . “Always strive to do better. Learn as much as you possibly can about weaving and weaving related topics and practices.  I don’t think we ever reach our ‘best’. We are always striving to create something better.  Share your knowledge with others.  Respect each instructor and what they have to impart to you. Ask questions.  Learn from your mistakes. You may never be fully satisfied with the outcome of your efforts, but that lack of satisfaction is what keeps you going and striving to do more and better.”

 

My question to you is "What will your weaving journey look like?"

To find out more about Pat's an article will be published about her in the near future.

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One of our weaving students, Avril Loretti, will be at the Spring One of a Kind show in
booth N-07. www.avrilloretti.com

March 27 - 31. For more details about the show go to http://www.oneofakindshow.com/toronto/apply.php. While you are at the show you might want to check out other weavers, Lucille Creighton and Silo Weavers.

 

Susan Mellor                                                Susan Middleton

Help co-create an international tapestry that has 150 people from 20 countries participating.

To learn more about the international tapestry project Fate, Destiny and Self Determination go to
http://tapestryline.blogspot.ca/2013/03/woven-together.html

The Toronto Doors Open 2013 theme is
"Creators, Makers and Innovators"The Toronto Guild of Spinners and Weavers has been invited to participate in Doors Open this coming May 25 and May 26. Our Guild will be having a spin-weave in demonstrating our craft at City Hall. We would like to invite your guild or spinning/weaving community to participate with us. For more information or to sign up for a time slot please email Patricia Phelan at wovenbridge@rogers.com using "Doors Open" in the subject line. Let's reach out to future generations of textile enthusiasts!!!
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Patricia

Honour your sense of colour and style

 Jurgen Lidner, a 45" wide and very long multi-coloured blanket woven with MacAuslands wool.  

 

Linda Wallace, a tapestry weaver from British Columbia shared some of her thoughts about how she develops personal style.

"Developing a visual continuity [or personal style], where viewers are able recognize an artist’s [craftsperson's] work, is an ephemeral process.  Each of us who reach that stage arrives using different pathways, but common elements underlie them all.  The development of an individual style takes years of learning and practicing skills as well as constant self-critiquing.  I do not believe short cuts exist and the old “Carnegie Hall” truism cannot be denied.

Karen Bota, knitters loom scarf. Karen wasn't satisfied with her first attempt and tried another version.

Here are a few thoughts for those who are still searching for their individual voice.  Create, weave, pay attention to intuitive responses and follow where your ‘self’ leads you.  Weave, and while you work: pay attention to what areas work, what could be improved and struggle to figure out how.  With each tapestry (or woven fabric) completed, the experience and knowledge gained will improve the next one. Pay attention to what you respond to.......critique your own work and [other} work seen .....  Follow your heart.  We know all of these things, but we need to believe in them."

 

It wasn't enough for Louise Granahan to do only one sampler. She did two and a third was a variation of the sampler, intended as a scarf to give to a friend. Louise has been weaving very intensively and very rapidly. Much faster than 99% of most of us. She has also managed to whip off the following scarves (on Leclerc Dorothy looms) and below is a sampling of what she has already finished, using tencel. All this in one weaving class session of 9 weeks. A very prodigious and productive weaver. I think she should open her own store!

 

 

 

 

Ann Stoeckl, a tapestry weaver, recently went on a tour to Guatamala. She brought these textiles back from her trip and the one on the right appears to be handwoven, as well as the eye glass case.

The three Susans who volunteer with the Textile Museum of Canada: Susan Abrams, Susan Singh, and Susan Butler. They sort out the donations given for the huge garage sale in May, where we elbow each other to grab all kinds of great yarns, fabrics, equipment and other related items for a very affordable price. The Textile Museum of Canada always welcomes volunteers, donations and visits.