Notes and card weaving

Mimma Draga has been taking notes since starting to learn how to weave in my class. One day I happened to glance at them, and I couldn't help but think of the great Leonardo and his illustrations. Very detailed and wonderful illustrations. For most of us, our notes don't look anything like this, if we have any at all. Which brings me to the topic of learning and how we learn. One of the most useful things I learned at teachers college is that there are 7 different modalities of learning. Essentially, they comprehend all our senses, mixed in with how we process information best. For each us that equation is different and proceeds at different rates as we process the information, and it eventually becomes 'automatic'. This is helpful to know so that one doesn't berate oneself for not absorbing knowledge and technique as quickly as one would like. It's almost as if the body has to learn it too, and not just the mind. I guess this is why Malcolm Gladwell says that it takes 10,000 hours to achieve mastery at something. Do you realize that you would have to do something 24/7 for over 27 years? It's probably best to just enjoy the activity, the process and company while you are doing it!

During our Fall classes, some students became interested in card weaving. Judite has been doing it since childhood and gladly showed Judy, Leslie and Wendy how it worked.

She made up the cards for them, brought the thread. Gave them a demo of the process.

And this is what they were trying to weave with the card weaving process. One can learn from books. One can learn from videos. But there is nothing like learning from another person who is there physically beside you while you fumble your way through the project and calms all your fears and doubts in yourself and your abilities. Thank you Judite for showing them how it works.

See you next week!

Encouraging authentic creativity in weaving

I feel blessed indeed that my weaving students are such intelligent, interesting and engaging people. They are talented, and take creative approaches not only in their weaving, but in the way they learn too. This past Fall was very busy and I didn't get a chance to post all the wonderful projects that resulted over the course of student efforts. Since there are quite a few things to show y'all, I'll start with the products of the most recent participants in the weaving class and will show the remaining projects and endeavours at other times. Above, a tapestry by Clara.
As an instructor, I encourage students to develop their own designs and creativity. I teach them strategies, if they are open to it, to enhance and deepen their creative experience. Everyone comes with their own knowledge, experience and approach and this only makes for a more authentic result in their creative endeavours. Ciara is shown here with her first tapestry (after that gruelling sampler!) that she designed. It was inspired by wood.
Christine Davidson's runner above, is a good example of how some students prefer to take their inspiration from such sources as Handwoven magazine, a good place to expand one's repertoire, creatively, theoretically and technically.
Some participants are very modest about their efforts and I'm happy to put in them in the spotlight. I also applaud those who are endeavouring to set up a loom at home without me to help them out. As many of you know or can remember, it can be a daunting experience just even remembering all the steps and details one needs to consider. Though the photo does not do this blanket any justice, it was woven by Jane Tucker.

This red and fuschia merino scarf was woven by Wendy Szpindel who managed to do this over the Holiday Season on her own. I suppose its like seeing a child take its first steps! So exciting.

This week we've moved forwards with preparing our warps (and wefts possibly) for ikat dyeing. In the coming weeks we'll be preparing warps for painted warp, shibori and woven shibori.

See you soon!

Weaving Fast?

This weaving session two 'beginner' students finished their sample in record time. On average it takes most people 8 classes to complete their sampler. Two people deserve special mention for being on a mission to complete the sampler and move on to learn much more. First, Cassandra, who is also studying at University, and comes during the day class. She completed hers in 6 classes. In this photo, Neil Brochu who completed his sample in 5 classes. He is drawn to linen and wants to learn as much as he can about it. He works for the city of Toronto, with historic textiles as they relate to the various historical houses in Toronto. He says we can go to his workplace as a field trip and he will show a part of the city's collection. We are looking to do that at the end of the spring weaving session, which would be somewhere around the beginning to mid June. That will be so awesome!
The Fall weaving classes end dates are the following. For Monday classes the last class will be December 5 and for Wednesday classes the last class will be November 30. For the winter session a study group will be formed and a course of preparation for weaving Ikat, Shibori, painted warp, and woven shibori. During the winter session, we will get 4 warps prepared using either tencel or bamboo. The dyeing itself will be a separate workshop the location and time announced at a later time but will occur during the summer months, tentatively in August or early September. The fourth warp will be woven as is during the winter and/or spring session in plain weave. This is available for people signed up for the winter and/or spring weaving classes. If you have any questions please ask. Specifics will be provided when you sign up. While you are making preparations for this initiative, you should still consider having a separate project as the preparations may not take up all of your class time. I can take your egistration for winter classes while you are in class, or you can sign up with the TDSB and they will start taking registrations November 21st 2011.
I most often feature fabric weaving as usually the projects are quicker to complete than tapestry weaving. I thought I would shine the spotlight on some of the tapestry weavers in the class who have been steadfastly plodding along on their tapestries. In this photo, the tapestry by Walter Rothenburger, the image from one of his own photographs.




Debbie Harris is making headway with her Navajo inspired rug woven with the tapestry technique. It looks like she has just about 2' done. Just a little more inspiration in the tapestry weaving area. Here's a short 2 minute video on a tapestry be cut off from the loom and it is quite an event. All in French but if you don't understand you can still understand what is happening http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=II_0YiwtWTE&mid=5248



From the Knitters Loom
Here Judy's first project ever woven on her 20" knitters loom. She used a 12.5 dpi rigid heddle. The towel is woven with 4/8 cotton. The only disappointment is that the red bled when she washed it. Try soaking it in a cup of vinegar and a gallon of water and that should stop the bleeding.
Francois kindly emailed me to let me know how you can enlarge a picture to see more detail. His suggestion was to increase the pixel ration, which I tried, but the pictures wouldn't load.
The One of a Kind Show is coming up soon. It will be from November 24 to December 4. My booth number is R-06. Not only do I feature my own work, but also have a tapestry line collection, where I offer for sale, locally woven, knit and felted scarves and shawls. For more info about the show go to http://www.oneofakindshow.com/.

Taking on New Challenges

It's been exciting to watch my weaving 'students' take on new challenges in weaving. Some take them on fearlessly, others with more trepidation, but still most remarkable is that they take them on at all. As they have discovered, preparing one's weaving projects is fraught with all kinds of possible unforseen setbacks, threading errors, the needs of the fibres they are working with, and the goals they set for themselves. Most people learning to weave are looking mostly to perfect their technical skill, a good place to start one's journey in weaving. After that many want to learn other technical knowledge in weaving, for instance understanding the different weaving structures like overshot, M's and O's, Monks Belt, Huck and on and on the list goes. Learning about weaving is also about exploring and experimenting with different fibres, structures and then also, sometimes breaking the rules just to see what will happen, and hopefully be pleasantly surprised.
Judite Vagners has spent many years perfecting her technical weaving skills and knowledge. Some of her journey has been about using what she has learned to create traditional Latvian costumes. Of note is the belt or strap that is Card woven, and which is sometimes called Tablet weaving. Many different cultures around the world use the technique of Card weaving. In Card weaving you can only weave strips, so its ideal for bracelets, belts, and straps. Incredibly detailed and complex designs can be created using the Card Weaving techniques. It's very portable which is its great advantage.

Agota Dolinay wove these handsome Alpaca scarves. The subtlety of the design is breathtaking when seen up close. I'm sure this digital photo isn't doing it any justice but I hope you can get a sense of its beauty.









Marion Kirkwood has a friend who recently returned from Liberia where groups of women harvest raw cotton, spin it themseleves, dye the cloth, and sew the strips of cloth together. We're hoping her friend will send us pics of the women in Liberia actually going through the process and I'll post them here if she does.

Lastly, more projects from the very popular and much loved Ashford knitters loom. Cheryl Yetman has woven this fine cloth on a knitters loom and it is surprising the quality of the weaving that can be accomplished with it.
Kate Kitchen has been weaving dozens of scarves on her knitters loom, shown below and she has been having a very fun time exploring textures in fibres. Nowadays there is such a wide array of fibres to inspire us. Kate takes an unusual approach to weaving and her fresh approach is perhaps because she is a tapestry weaver and sees weaving in a painterly manner. The knitters loom can also be used to weave tapestries which is very good news for tapestry weavers, because of its portablility. On that note I'll take my leave and look forward to sharing more with next week!

Return to weaving classes

The summer was busy for me because I received a grant from the Ontario Arts council to collaborate with the Nottawasaga Handweavers and Spinners to design and launch the weaving of 12 tapestries depicting the community of New Tecuseth. I invited this guild to join me at the opening reception of my own solo exhibtion of tapestries entitled Wholeness, and to officially launch the Community Threads tapestry project. The tapestries will be woven by guild members, visitors, guests, and members of other organizations and institutions over the coming years. When the tapestries are completed, a self guided tour brochure will assist visitors in seeing the tapestries at different venues in the municipality. The picture above shows a part of my more recent tapestries at this exhibit.

Our weaving class is definitely the 'happy place' for many of us. I couldn't resist taking this picture this week as there was a full line up of table loom weavers. From left to right, Mimma, Justine, Jane, Phyllis, Sandi, Agota and Emily at the back who just started with us this week.

To help everyone figure out what they'd like to learn in weaving, I've created a Weaving Menu, listing all the kinds of things you can learn about weaving. Ask me for a copy if you are interested in expanding your repertoire and understanding of weaving.

Many of the returning students completed projects over the summer. In this photo, a beautiful shawl woven by Agota Dolinay. She used 18/2 merino for warp and some very fine yarn from Habu in the weft. The pattern was one that most have overlooked and taken from The Handweavers Pattern Book (Davison). Its called Indian March and is on page 38. There is so much going on in it.

Anther finished project....this 2/8 cotton scarf in M's and O's by Mimma Draga. This is Mimma's first project and her edges are near impeccable. She is definitely a natural born weaver.

Wendy Szpindel came back eager to share her summer projects. She explored an undulating twill which we clearly see in the white piece. In the foreground, is a study of using variations with colour and treadling with the same threading. A very good study indeed. Wendy and her sister Leslie seem to be going in the direction of creating wall hangings.

This week Sandi Dunn came in wearing a Halloween outfit. I applaud her fearlessness! She is wearing a fascinator by David Dunkley who is a millner in Toronto and has a shop at 998 Bathurst Street. The business is called KC Hats.

A couple of our weaving class participants have exhibitions on or about to occur: Beth Stewart at ESP Gallery at Dovercourt and Queen, who is a winner of an RBC prize of $15,000, and who is teaching drawing at OCAD and Gwen Tooth at the beaux-arts brampton from November 1 to 26.

Placemats, ceinture flechee, tapestry, and rug

The final instalment of projects completed by those participating in the weaving classes this year and and a few projects from some that have in the past taken my weaving classes. As always, so much talent and diversity and its always encouraging to me to see how much tenacity and perserverance people have when they are determined to not let the challenges that present themselves in weaving and in being a weaver, stop them. To you and all I say Bravo! Above all, it becomes clear just how much there is to learn about weaving and that it may take a few lifetimes to know and try all that is available to learn about weaving.



Here some beautifully woven placemats by Carol Adams. Carol joined our class in the Fall and has had some experience in weaving. She loves a challenge and loves the complexities that weaving can offer. The placemats are a warp faced weave in 4/8 cotton and thick weft which is not that noticeable. A very successful project indeed!





A beautifully woven weft faced rug. Debbie Harris is becoming quite the master at weaving rugs. Here is one of her latest creations. Presently she awes us all in class with the Navajo rug she is weaving on a gobelin style loom, so perfectly executed eventhough Debbie doesn't think so. We believe Debbie has reached Nirvana!








Francois Seguin is another one of our very humble weavers. He has always had a passionate interest in Ceinture Flechee (sorry no accents). He created this one for me which I am keeping at the weaving class to have it to show to others as an example. Ceinture Flechee is a finger weaving technique that does not require a loom. Please....don't anyone ask me to teach them. It would most certainly drive me mad!

Another knitters loom project. This one by Wendy Hayden. No, she didn't make the hat. She had bought it and wanted to make a scarf to match it. It does look like she bought them as a set. Wendy has decided that she has to make 20 scarves before she can justify buying what I call a 'real' loom, because the knitters loom seems almost too cute to be a serious loom. They both have their advantages and disadvantages (my favorite saying as many of you know. )




Kate Kitchen stands and smiles proudly here showing a miniature tapestry that she has had framed.

Bamboo Shawl, small tapestries and a family heirloom

Gwen Tooth has recently joined our weaving class. Gwen is a practicing artist as well as administrator and teacher, and has been painting for many years. She is currently part of an exhibition opening this weekend. WOMEN IN ABSTRACTION ART EXHIBIT Beaux-Arts Brampton Art Gallery, http://www.beaux-artsbrampton.com/ 70 Main Street North, Brampton. 905-454-5677 Dates: June 21 to July 2, 2011-05-23 Reception Date: Saturday, June 25, 12 noon to 3 pm Regular Gallery Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 12 noon to 6 pm; Saturdays, 9 am to 3 pm

Kate Kitchen completed these two small tapestries of landscapes while in the weaving class. It takes little detail to convey the illusion of a recognizable scene, surprisingly enough. These were both woven at 10 epi and she used Paternayan yarn. They still take a considerable amount of time to complete eventhough they are small.



















We have such an amazing group of talented people and I must say I am truly proud of what people can accomplish in this class. This is a bamboo shawl woven by Lis Bastion. To see it in reality is startling in a good way. The shawl is beautifully woven in a Diamond Twill pattern. Twills are difficult to weave well believe it or not. Your tension has to be very consistent throughout and when it isn't, it really shows. Being stressed can really wreak havoc with our weaving but Lis managed to be cool and consistent despite having a very busy and demanding work life! In addition, this is Lis' first project after her sampler. Bravo Lis! It is a remarkable accomplishment!

I apologize in advance that this is not the best photograph. Dark colours can be hard to capture, and in addition the warp and weft do not have high contrast. This was a very subtle overshot shawl using turquoise and mauve Briggs & Little yarn woven by Marion Kirkwood. It is an unusual pattern taken from the Handweavers Pattern Book.

We don't often post pictures of our weaving students and I'm not sure that people do want themselves posted on this website. This picture of Anne was taken by Ellen and she submitted it to me to post for our magazine blog for the class. This will be Anne's first project on a floor loom and when we last saw her she was looking rather disheartened and feeling a little overwhelmed by the project she choose to do: a doubleweave cape in fine yarns. A lot of threads to thread for sure! It's quickly forgotten though once you get weaving!

Barbara Brown very kindly brought in this pink suit woven by her grandmother, and the jacket is modeled here by Jutta. It was beautifully tailored and it was hard to tell that it was handmade.

There are still a few more pictures to come of final projects for the year and I think the last installment will be next week before we resume in the Fall.