Designing for tapestry weaving one week course

DESIGNING FOR TAPESTRY WEAVING

An intensive painting and design course for the tapestry weaver without art training.

June 18 - 22 10am to 4pm

Toronto Weaving School, 255 Royal York Road, Toronto, On

$250. plus materials, $300 if you would like to include lunch.

Contact: Line Dufour tapestryline@sympatico.ca or telephone 905 836 1321

Register by May 1 2012

Flemish Tapestry Restoration and so much more

Scarf woven by Line Dufour

The spring weaving class session has started and the excitement and vitality among the students is energizing and stimulating as most are eager to undertake their respective projects or get them done before the spring session is over. Many, including myself, have had our share of weaving disasters ....and we have been happily sharing our mishaps. When I was sharing mine with Sandi Nemenyi a little while ago, she said that Cara Perry, the previous weaving instructor before me, used to say that you are a beginner with each new project. One way one could avoid that is  using the same fibre all the time  and making the same thing over and over again. Most of us don't want to do that.

The Community Threads tapestries continue and I am glad to report that enthusiasm is not waning in my absence. I visit them in Alliston once a month to discuss and assist in whatever way I can. Linda said they were deciding to create new designs and cartoons and she sent me some photos of some of the new possibilities as well as how much weaving they have accomplished thus far. They are choosing new designs and will be creating new cartoons to replace some of the preliminary cartoons. We are pleased that Jackie has done a wonderful job of weaving the section depicting the Fletcher monument, who are the founders of Alliston. A photo of their home is also included and was one of the first homes in Alliston. A plaque explains the history of the home. Included are photos of St.John's United Church in New Tecumseth.

A new tapestry adventure entered my life this week. An antique dealer named Richard came by with a historical verdure Flemish tapestry that is at least 300 years old. He has asked me to restore parts of it and to have it hang better than it does. I’ve selected a team of weavers to help me do some of the restoration work.

Our 8 week Painted Warp workshop is exciting and stimulating. We invited a guest co-instructor, Barbara Hilts, who is a renowned and talented silk painter and artist. We prepared warps to be dyed using mostly tencel, and some bamboo. We created our first low immersion dyed warp last Wednesday. This week we learned more about how to put colours together, sources of inspiration, and went over some technical details and preparations. Next week we look forward to doing some gradation dyeing on our warps.

A couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that I was invited to the Pomegranate Guild in Toronto. I received this email from Rikki, person who hosted me:
Dear Line, What a lovely post you wrote in your blog! I am so impressed with the extensive research you made about the significance of the pomegranate! Very impressed! Your description of the meeting was very sweet. You truly captured the essence of our group. Your hostess, btw, is the president of the guild, and she was very happy to extend a warm welcome to you. As I told you I really love your work. Your choice of colours is magical. But more than that the colours and the designs come from a deep well of emotions and imagery that transcend verbal interpretation. And this is what I and the rest of the group responded to. You very rightly wrote that the fit was wonderful. When people of true faith come together, it doesn't mean that they have the same acts of observance, what matters is that they live true spiritual lives. You taught us a great deal that night. Not only about weaving and overcoming hard times, but also about listening to the voices of our creativity and following our hearts. We all felt the resonance of your words, and were inspired to continue in whatever art we do."Love and respect was palpable in this room: love of people, love of textiles, love of art and creativity."How very perceptive of you to capture our essence. Congratulations about having your work appear on a cover of a book! I am sure that it will give a lot of pleasure to many people for a very long time. It was a real pleasure to meet you and see your amazing work! Rikki.

Prayer Shawl with bag by Linda Morganstein. Linda also makes outstanding custom and artistic cakes for all occasions. She is truly a master at it and has received all kinds of media attention for them.

Toronto Weaving School Summer program
The summer one week kasuri/ikat courses are full, although the July 9-13 week can take a couple of more registrants. Cost is $250 payable immediately. The Designing for Tapestry has only 3 registrants so far. We need more registrants if this course is to run. For more details go to: http://weavingworkshops.blogspot.ca/ or email me. We are already planning our Summer 2013 courses. We will be happy to receive your suggestions, and we are inviting submissions to teach. Please contact me to know more details.

                                            Photo: scarf by Debbie Harris in shadow weave.

Buy, Sell, trade, donate, give, looking for......

http://www.sistering.org is always looking for donations for weaving, knitting, sewing. Contact them to know more details.
We need dry cleaner clear bags.
Toronto Weaving School needs more more table looms (donate, or buy)
For sale: a drum carder pictured below. Best offer. Address enquiries to me.

Events, Websites and Resources to check out.

• Susan Abrams is asking us to attend the Textile Museum of Canada’s ‘Garage Sale’ in May. The link gives you more details. http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=8239d203275f20ac4c9994bcf&id=1cda020df9&e=15600efaec
• A tapestry blog worth checking out: http://www.debbieherd.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/australian-tapestry-workshop-masters-of.html
• Michele Dubois sends this along:
Creativ Festival - Spring 2012 (April 27-28): http://www.csnf.com/s12_index.html
2. 14th Annual Toronto Knitter's Frolic (April 28-29): http://www.downtownknitcollective.ca/dkc_frolic.html . While on the subject of knitting, check out Arlene Williams own knitting website....a new weaver to our class - http://webhome.idirect.com/~quanah/.
• Fran Gurwitz informs me of this exhibit at the Design Exchange: www.dx.org/index.cfm?pagePath=Exhibitions/Current_Exhibitions&id=19195
• Anne Vagi sent how to create easy to do patterned Easter eggs:
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/16f3Kj/www.ourbestbites.com/2012/03/silk-dyed-eggs-aka-tie-dyed/
• An email from Kenny Dalsheimer, the director of the following movie sent this email:
We are happy to announce that "A Weaverly Path: The Tapestry Life of Silvia Heyden" is available for purchase on our website. We have DVD and Blu ray versions of the film for Home Use, Non-Profits/Weavers Guilds, and Universities/Institutions. We also have a limited number of DVD/Book Bundles which include the film and a signed copy of Silvia's book, The Making of Modern Tapestry. http://aweaverlypath.com/

More finished projects from the Toronto Weaving School

Scarf by Judy Hardy

Afghan by Karen Sinclair

2/16 tencel woven scarf in an 8 shaft plaited twill by Marion Kirkwood who is off to South Africa for 3 weeks.

A sweater knitted by Darlene Haywood over 20 years ago using Mano yarn. She’s kept the leftover yarn all these years and used it to make woven/felted scarves.

A rag rug by Joan McKenzie. Not sure what the socks are doing there.....maybe she knit them? To anyone sending pictures, make sure that you give me enough details and that it is well presented.

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!

Learning Approaches and your weaving

Gwen Tooth chose the colours for her painting which she will interpret into a tapestry.

Each of us has our own preferred strategy of how we go about learning. Teachers colloege taught me that there are seven different learning modalities. I've always thought that my approach to learning was more radical than most, not taking well to following instructions. I prefer to use my intuition, a sensing approach to my learning. I have inclinations sometimes to defy the rules and want to make my own. Perhaps I even became a teacher not so much because I like telling people what to do but more because I don't like being told what to do. To my dismay, I have found that I learn best by being in a position where I must teach others. Gwen's painting and tapestry that will follow is a good example of the feeling and sensing approach. I say this because every now and then there is a student in the class who has a similar approach and want to put them at ease about it.

Rag rug by Agota Dolinay

As a learner in weaving I need to explore the possibilities. I need to ask myself 'what if'. I need to take risks, willing to allow things to go wrong, even fail. Each approach to learning has its advantages and disadvantages. In my case, if I had listened to what I was told in terms of rules, or read the instructions more carefully, I could have avoided some mistakes and problems, but these are all relative and depend on what outcomes you are seeking, the direction one is trying to steer oneself in. Why take this approach then? For me its very freeing allowing me to access my creativity and connects me with inspiration. Or perhaps too, its the inspiration that I am lead by first, and then I work out the details, experimenting and discovering, what works and what doesn't. This natural dyed cotton band by Leslie is a perfect example of all that I've said. Leslie challenges what I said was the 'right' way to prepare her project for weaving and she is discovering what works for herself, by challenging my advice. Leslie too likes to follow the impulse of her inspiration. Leslie dyed this on her own experimenting with different food items in her kitchen. Recently Leslie made a warp of 8/2 bamboo, a fairly fine yarn. She forgot to put the cross in it, which as many know is one of the things one should NEVER forget. I declared outright to Leslie that I WOULD NOT help her put it on the loom. I have to applaud Leslie for doing a very fine job indeed in getting this warp on the loom! Good going Leslie! Marion Kirkwood created this runner as a gift for the leaders of her trip to South Africa, who grew up there. She used 4/8 cotton, sleyed at 24 epi. The colours are those of the South African flag, stripes of blue, green, red, yellow and white, with the warp in black threading - twill, reverse twill, point twill, rosepath, reverse rosepath and basket, inspired from a baby blanket pattern from Handwove. The various patterns are designed to represent the diversity of South African society. Chenille scarves by Elaine Robertson

Some learners follow instructions precisely. Often their outcomes are exactly what they expected which is what the need and want. Some learners are fearless, taking on incredible challenges rapidly either technically or creatively. Others are careful, slow and methodical. Some learn best by themself in quiet moments. Others need lots going on. Learning and understanding how we learn is fascinating.

Undulating twill Alpaca shawl in beige and blue by Susan Abrams

What I've concluded after observing peoles different approaches, is that we learn best when we mix the approach we usually take with some of the approaches others take. I know for me it sometimes is outside my comfort level but I will still try and try and try to learn in different ways. I practice trying to follow instructions more carefully, more precisely. I am motivated to do this because I want to help my students with what they are trying to learn.

Detail of sampling for undulating twill in alpaca by Susan Abrams.

Above all, I try to let people learn in the way that works for the. The information and and experience won't happen any other way.

I am thrilled these days to see how the students in the class have been really evolving, growing in their weaving forays. In the next few photographs I wanted to highlight all the sampling people in the class have been doing. For instance above, Neil Brochu made a sample before embarking on making a line linen tablecloth, 60" x 72". The pattern he chose was a Lozenge twill from the book Keep me Warm one Night by Dorothy Burnham, a highly regarded historical book on textiles in Ontario.


Jill has struggled for almost two semesters to create this sampling for a rug she wants to create. I'm really proud of how she has figured out how to visualize what aspects of the sample she wants to incorporate into her final design. The limitation she set herself was to use the particular yarn she had bought on cones and choose the yarn based on colour and quantity.

Other samples being woven are the double weave sample by Cassandra Morton. Cassandra told me she was at a lecture at the University of Toronto in January where she is studying and the professor put up a You Tube video of me weaving tapestry! We were both surprised!
I've also been introducing students, when they start thinking of wanting to change a pattern, to software that will help them do it. Here Agota shows her own version of a huck design.

A number of people have woven huck samples and its remarkable how they differ from person to person. I had to show Lindsey's huck sample. Usually the huck sample requires using only one colour....which is how its been done traditionally. Lindsey needed to explore trying others colour with it, as did a number of other people in the class.

I work hard to respect and honour each persons learning style, while at the same time encouraging them to venture into and try other strategies...to stretch our muscles so to speak. They'll discover that practicing a different approach sometimes can be very rewarding and satisfying, as I have, learning to follow instructions. Carol Adams wrote me recently in response to my last blog and said: "Thank you for keeping me in the circle. I very much enjoyed viewing the work of your students from last semester. And I will miss not being with you in the Spring.
But this time, even more, your writing about the class has stayed with me. I hope your students learned to use the mat at the door. If they didn't, then the atmosphere you create in the class room with the soothing classical music from CBC, and the easy way you move around from one loom to the next, and your own personal quietness all have their own positive influence.
And then there is the loom. No matter what size, it requires you to put everything else aside and pay very close attention to it. My weaving has been and continues to be a refreshing experience for which I am very grateful.

At present, I am dressing my loom with a 100% silk yarn to make curtain material for the windows on my stair landing. My pattern is again the LeClerc placemat but I have changed from the Indigo and Gold, Lt Blue and Wine to Cream and Gold, Ecru and Apple Green. The placemats called for 36 epi; however with the silk, I am using 18 epi and as long as it is even I won't mind a bit of light coming through.

Line, I miss you and the collegiality of the class and you are often in my thoughts." Thank you Carol!

Huck sample by Jane Tucker.

I guess after all this I'm just trying to say there is no right or wrong way to learn. We all have our own unique combination of approaches and we have to work with that.

I'm ending with this table runner woven by Janet Andrews. She wove this for her parents. Although there were a number of threading errors in the pattern, Janet still was delighted with her efforts. I love it when people can laugh at their mistakes, plunders, false starts....as we must have a good laugh at ourselves sometimes and still think that what we have just done is still praiseworthy and good. As one weaving clas tapestry weaver, Pauline Abraham said, "I'm practicing the art of imperfection". Here's to imperfection! Cheers!

Simplicity

Scarf woven by Wendy Hayden on her knitters loom. Alpaca, silk, merino.

Over the last few weeks distress, agitation and stress were palpable in the weaving class at times. Quite a few of the people taking my weaving classes are faced with challenging situations, in their personal life, in their health, in relationships, and sometimes all of that walks into the room with them, understandably. Which bring to mind a figure drawing class I took many many years ago with a teacher I had a lot of regard for. He would say to us, before you come into the room, wipe your shoes at the door, meaning, leave your troubles behind you for the time you are in the room. I know this worked for me. Perhaps this is why everytime I walk into the classroom, my troubles seem distant. This strategy may not work for everyone, nor am I expecting it to, but I have come to see though, that most of us come to the weaving class and find it a sanctuary, a break in the what can be a stormy period in one's life, a safe haven, a quiet respite, a slowing down where we can catch our breath and 'hear' what we are thinking.
More knitters looms scarves by Wendy Hayden, given as Christmas presents.
I feel I am fortunate to have the kind of 'job' where it is safe for me to be a caring and supportive person. How lucky can I be. I feel privileged even that people sometimes feel it is safe for them to share whatever they are going through. I've always found it easy to listen to others, to understand, to feel compassion, and with some, a deeper connection, a kindred spirit. These people who are taking my classes are more than just students - they are a friend and I am theirs.
Knitters Loom scarf by Maureen Krinicic
Coming to my weaving, and others are discovering this for themselves, becomes almost a meditation - a training of the mind to focus on one thing, one activity, eventhough our mind might want to be running in many directions with our thoughts, feelings, and ideas. To exercise the discipline to remain in the activity, the process, to bring one's focus back to the weaving, is good mental training, and I have seen my levels of concentration and focus increase as I continue my weaving practice.

Knitters loom scarf by Cheryl Yetman

Doing this activity bit by bit we feel the calm come over us - and the sense of inner peace that comes with that if only tempararily. The simplest of activities and moments can provide us with a moment of grace and consequently, provide us with deep and valuable insights that we need to have about ourselves, others, and life. This sitting with our weaving, this quiet time, cuts out finally all the noise and business going through our heads, and brings us to a place where we have gratitude to be alive in this moment.

Knitters Looms scarves by Cheryl Yetman

Because my theme this week was simplicity I thought the Knitters Looms scarves people were making these past few months would be good to feature. If I have made any error with names and the scarves I have attached to them, let me know as it was before Christmas that I took these photos. I am looking forward to seeing some tapestries woven on the Knitters Loom....which I'll feature here as soon as they are.

Knitters Looms come in 12" and 20" widths. They can be outfitted with 5, 10 and 12.5 rigid heddles. They already come with a 7.5 dpi. You can also purchase a stand for the knitters loom separately. You can choose to buy it with a bag, or without. A Knitters Loom DVD is also available as well as several books filled with projects. All of these things can be purchased through me.

In closing I would like to include some links that people send me to include in my postings:

First Donna Kim sent this link from the Marilyn Dennis Show about how to wear and tie scarves http://www.marilyn.ca/Fashion/segment.aspx/Daily/January2012/01_27_2012/ScarvesandBelts2

She also has weaving studio space, complete with weaving equipment provided, for rent. The studio would be shared with herself and another person. If you are interested please contact me at tapestryline@sympatico.ca and I'll send the info.

Rose Ruffolo shared this link - an article about a weaver in the U.S.

http://http//www.therepublic.com/view/story/7bce5bb2cb244a77a6158242df5e6f40/AK--Bulletproof-Art/
Until the next time!

Line