Patience

 

Rep Weave is warp faced weave. This means that we do not see the weft, as opposed to weft faced weaves, such as tapestry and boundweave, where we do not see the warp. Most weaving is evenly balanced between both warp and weft. Judite Vagners is a very experienced weaver and we are privileged to have her attending the Toronto Weaving School classes. She created this warp faced rug based on a pattern in Laila Lundell's Rep Weave book https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP4TP1FFkRk. She created a sample first, discovered that the squares were not square after weaving/washing and then corrected the pattern so that the squares would be square. Hmph. Most would not put themselves through that! Regardless of how much experience one has in weaving, it's rare that we get it perfectly the first time around, if perfection is what you are seeking to attain. Judite has an extraordinary amount of patience when it comes to her weaving practice. She is never defeated, nor discouraged by the challenges that weaving can present and she is  an excellent role model for others. Others in the class are also demonstrating that for the less experienced weavers in the challenges they have had in their current weaving projects:  Linda Thompson working on her overshot blanket from Handwoven magazine, and Jill Bidgood, with her warp faced rugs taken from an Ashford magazine pattern.

We continue to explore shibori. Here a scarf by Lis Baston, using wrapped chickpeas. She was surprised that the resisted areas were not round and were square instead. Alongside Lis' scarf, Maxime Gendron's prepares hers with marbles and very tiny elastics. More silk scarves have been ordered and if you want to participate you can still do so. I've also ordered a video on shibori that you can watch in class.

I met Aneesha Parrone, from Colorado USA through the international tapestry project, Fate, Destiny and Self Determination. Part of how most women interact is by sharing their stories, and Aneesha shared her story of how she became a weaver:
 

"When I was in college, I was studying to become an elementary (5th grade) teacher. My student teaching was so horrible, as the teacher I was under frightened not only the children but me as well. By time I finished, I felt I could dig ditches for a living. One of the professors from the school went to the same church as I did and asked about 3 weeks after graduation if I had found a job. I said no and he said the arts council was looking for someone to do their children's summer art mobile program. I said, "I didn't major in art. I majored in elementary ed." He said, " Ok. Never mind." Three days later the director of the art mobile called me up and said he had recommended me. So I took the job. It had not been much of a program---only a few classes at the YMCA the year before. So I created a program that took a wildly painted truck to 12 different sites for 3 months. We packed the organ|(not a portable one...a full console organ!) and artist in residence musician onto the truck with enough supplies to do 4 projects and I called one additional artist each week to be a guest artist and the children would gather with their lunches and enthusiasm. Whoever showed up... did..usually we had about 10 -12 kids. At the end of the summer, the director said that the state arts council had created an artist in residence program called the Third Century Artist|(being the 3rd century of the USA) and would I like to be hired as one. I said, "You have to have a portfolio for that. I didn't major in art. I majored in elementary ed." She said," Ok. If you want to send them a portfolio and they accept you, we want you." One of my guest artists was a weaver. I quickly asked her to teach me to weave. I had 2 marionettes and 2 small sculptures I had created for art and music in the public school my last yr of college. I wove 8 small weavings, added the 4 sculptures for the required number of slides, called myself a visual artist, got the arts council photographer to photograph them and sent them off. I was accepted and was hired. 

 

We all had a potter friend who was the artist in residence at the community college. His wife was ill and had been a weaver and didn't weave anymore. He offered her small 15 inch LeClerc loom. I wove on that until I could buy a Colonial LeClerc and started from there. I have always had a lot of energy and I found that threading the loom really tried my patience!! I have a lot of patience with children, but not so much for myself! I would have preferred to be a potter playing in the mud all day with the immediacy of a pot or mug! But there you have it ~ Weaving wanted me and my inner self wanted something soft and gentle to teach me to be kinder and more patient with myself. I have loved weaving ever since and find that it is really great for tapping into the creative process, which is what I love about teaching---the creative inner solution for something on the outside. So, of course, I really LOVE your project and also your website that demonstrates and gives clues to your deeply joyous and creative process! 
www.arpanaanneeshastudio.com

The lessons I have drawn from this weeks interactions is that patience with my weaving leads to patience with myself, and patience with myself, leads to patience with others and if we can be more patient with each other, the quality of our life and relationships improves considerably. Patience is worth cultivating.
 

Send me your stories about how you became a weaver, or a valuable weaving lesson from a project you did and how it may have transformed you or your thinking or any other experience in weaving that had a powerful effect upon you.


DONORS LIST
Lise Buisson
Mirja Maggisano
Barb Aikman

Much appreciation and gratitude to those who have made donations of weaving equipment, yarn and tools.

Exploring Shibori, Deflected Doubleweave and more

This session Toronto Weaving School is exploring Shibori techniques.

Here Mimma Draga is wrapping beads into the silk scarf. This will be placed in the dye at a later time. We'll show you the various results from student efforts.

The very same Mimma shown above wove these deflected doubleweave scarves with tencel and 18/2 merino wool scarves taken from Handwoven magazine, November/December 2007 and designed by Karen Donde. They were very challenging to weave without a double back beam. We now have one in the class, kindly lent to us by Linda Thompson. It's a 24" weaving width.

The most difficult colours to photograph are red and black. It's hard to fully appreciate the level of skill that was required to weave this 18/2 merino scarf in a twill variation pattern from Marguerite Davison's book, The Handweavers Pattern Book. This scarf was woven Ginette Robert.

 

DONATIONS FOR THE TORONTO WEAVING SCHOOL

Toronto Weaving School is undergoing an expansion. We will be accepting donations of used or new equipment. We are looking to acquire more table looms (preferably Leclerc Dorothy's) as well as other weaving looms and equipment. On our wish list is a computerized dobby or avl loom. We will also take other donations to fundraise for the requirements of the school.

 

TRADE IN for a Leclerc, Louet or Ashford Loom.

You can also trade in your used Dorothy loom and get up to $200 towards the purchase of a new loom. We will  consider trading a floor loom or wider table loom for a Dorothy depending on the results of this drive. (some conditions apply).

 

THE INTERNATIONAL TAPESTRY PROJECT: FATE DESTINY AND SELF DETERMINATION

 

Not too late to participate in this exciting tapestry project. No tapestry weaving experience required and you are not required to be registered in a weaving class. We need you come out and weave on the tapestry at 255 Royal York Road. Your name will appear in the credits when the tapestry installation is completed. The tapestry installation will be exhibited internationally. These are the remaining dates you can come between 10am and 9pm. These are also the same dates of the remaining classes for those who are registered. We will resume in the Fall 2013.

Monday              WednesdayApril 22                
April 29                April 24
May 6                  May 1
May 13                May 8
May 27                May 5
June 3                 May 22

 

 

Challenges in Weaving

Kente cloth workshop in Ghana. Picture sent by Jim and Marion Kirkwood.

Often more experienced weavers want to expand their technical skills and knowledge and this leads them to take on greater challenges in their weaving projects. In doing so determination and patience can be tested over and over again. It takes  good self esteem to  put ourselves at risk of being humbled  as more errors in preparation of the project occurs the greater the weaving challenge.  Sometimes projects have lengthy and complicated threadings, or challenging treadlings that interrupt the joy and flow of the weaving process. Other times, the yarn gives us much trouble and is very particular about how we handle it. Each project has its own challenges, its own lessons to teach us about weaving, if we are open to what it is teaching us about weaving and about ourselves. Each project builds our knowledge and experience.

Warp faced Rug in cotton by Fran Gurwitz

As we gain more experience in weaving, we often forget about what drew us to weaving in the first place. It wasn't necessarily the complicated, elegant handwoven things that we see more commonly today. We've forgotten that what drew us to the handwoven cloth is that it looked handwoven and not machine made. What drew us to the woven cloth was that it was not produced commercially and 'manufactured'.

Knitters Loom scarf by Laura de Vrij

Simplicity is powerfuly effective and  being experience at weaving can sometimes blind us to the beauty that the obviously handwoven cloth is, in it's ruggedness, it's imperfections, the evidence that a human hand has touched it and made it.

Knitters Loom scarves by Laura de Vrij

Each of us needs to determine  one's weaving path, what is a priority at whatever stage of our weaving experience based on our preferences and predilections, skills and life circumstances.

Pinwheel 8 shaft pattern 18/2 merino scarf by Julia Pelenyi.

New weavers are often very eager to be a masterful weaver without taking all the lumps and bumps on the road that come along with it and the battering one's ego might be subject to. The only way to become a better weaver is by ongoing practice, increasing our knowlege bit by bit, but above all, working at your own pace, honouring who are, how you learn....mistakes and all! Today I thank a few of the more experienced in our weaving class for modelling that for other students in the class and in doing so, being a good role model for our new students.

 

SHIBORI, KASURI AND WOVEN SHIBORI

Apart from our usual weaving instruction, I am also offering enrolled students  an opportunity to do Shibori, Kasuri and Woven Shibori this spring. Please talk to me if you are interested. I noticed that one can purchase special Ibushi thread cutters (for kasuri/ikat) at www.bestmadeco.com.

 

A SPECIAL THANKS TO.....

Laura de Vrij for the helping in keeping the class organized and tidy and to all those that helped Jill roll on her rug warp!

 

WEAVING CLASS FIELD TRIP MAY 29
to a well respected weaver not far from Mansfield, Pat Burns Wendland. The field trip is free to anyone enrolled in the Spring Class and to anyone who can take other participants in their vehicle. For others who would like to attend and who are not registered the cost is $25. Potluck.Departing at 8:45 am. Arriving at Pat's by 11:00 am. Departing no later tater than 3pm. RSVP with me. If you would like to attend and do not have a car, please contact me or talk to me. If you have a car and can take people please let me know (if you haven't already).

 

OPPORTUNITIES

Ann Noble informed me that the Maria Schuka Library at 1745 Eglinton West (east of Dufferin) makes free exhibition space available. It is looking for people to exhibit work. They have a 20' x 5" wall and 15' x 5' wall and would welcome weavers. The link is below.

http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?R=LIB013

 

ABOUT TAPESTRY

Go to my tapestry blog to see what's been going on in the world of tapestry. http://tapestryline.blogspot.ca/2013/04/cultural-mosaic-as-inspiration.html

 

RESOURCES

Want a weaving app? iweaveit from the Apple App Store is a weaving draft and design app available for iPad, iPod and iPhone. You can enter your own weaving drafts, edit them and view with your own choice of colours and yarns.

 

Free weaving patterns on line (sent to my from Mimma Draga)

http://www.handweaving.net/Home.aspx. 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/

 

Recently released books on weaving:

A Crackle Weave Companion: Exploring a 4 shaft Crackle. by Lucy M. Brusic

Simple Weaves: Over 30 Classic Patterns and Fresh New Styles. Birgitta Bengtsson Bjork and Tina Ignell.

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.

Spring session weaving classes starting soon

 Tea towels and cloths woven in twill by Lis Baston.

Monday evenings for the spring session I will be offering  shibori, woven shibori, and kasuri/ ikat techniques. Please specifiy what you would like to do although you may not have time to do them all in the time that the course runs. Materials are extra. People can also register on Monday for the regular weaving class and do their own projects.

 Example of kasuri or ikat from Keiko Shintani

Examples of shibori by Judith Fielder

Registration for the weaving classes have begun. If you have not already registered it is time to do so.

Please sign up early as the classes have been filling to maximum and we have had to turn people away. Monday classes start April 8 and Wednesday classes start April 3. Below are the codes for the time slot you would like to sign up for. Go to www.learn4life.ca to sign up or do so in the next class.

Mon 10am-1pm Apr 08 8wks $170($102senior)      56820

Mon 1:30-4:30pm Apr 08 8wks $170($102sr)         56819

Mon 6-9pm Apr 08 8wks $170($102sr)                   57043

Wed 10am-1pm Apr 03 8wks $170($102sr)            56818

Wed 1:30-4:30pm Apr 03 8wks $170($102sr)         58755

Wed 6-9pm Apr 03 8wks $170($102sr)                   57044
 

Allison modelling one my handwoven doubleweave capes. She looked so beautiful and vibrant I had to take a snap! She is a great role model for us all and talented as well.

A very successful completion of the double weave sampler by Carla Duncan. On the left, you can see that she created her own 'pick up' designs.

 Summer and winter placemats by Jane Tucker using mop cotton in the weft.

 Some historical artifacts and an old weaving book that Laura de Vrij picked up at a flea market.

 More scarves woven on a knitters loom by Laura de Vrij. She use a variegated yarn in the weft which gave her this gradating effect. It can also be used to great effect in the warp. With the scarf on the left, Laura hand stitched the motif onto the scarf as well as at the edge of the scarf shown below.

Birthe Jorgensen picked up this beautifully woven silk from Laos.

 

Birthe also informed me that people can take textile design and fabric arts (as well as many kinds of crafts or handwork (haandarbejde) courses in Denmark during the summer months. The school is called Skals.

It is one of many  Danish Folk High Schools offering courses in cultural and historical craft practices and is available to  adults in the summer : www.danishfolkhighschools.com/ .  Korte Kurser (short courses) are offered in the summer at Skals. Birthe says  that the school's website isn't in English yet, "but everyone under 90 speaks excellent English" .  Here is a google translation of the one week course in June:

Summer course - with Skals embroidery, re-design of textiles for the home and body, jewelry, embroidery and weaving.

Summer Course in Skals is like a vacation where you will be filled with inspiration and peace. With talented teachers and other students immerses you in new techniques while you develop yourself and your craft. Jewelry, design, embroidery, weaving are examples of what is offered.

Additional activities include lectures, field trips, visits to studios/workshops,  exhibitions, and craft fairs.  For more go to www.skals.nu