Hey there! So, I am cooking with gas, let me tell you! The project is coming along nicely! I can almost see the knots on the back. Shouldn’t be long now!
The inches are flying by!
When the fabric is finished, it will be cut up into 2 different sized handbags. So, I’ve planned for “x” amount of rows of Clutches and “x” amount of Minis. Consequently, there are times when I know the row is finished and abruptly change to a new color. It’s not so glamorous when looking at the entire bolt of fabric. But, it will all be cut up in the end and no one will know!
Close up of the transition
It’s a good bite…
Because of the seams in a necktie, there are little bits that will pop out of the fabric! They aren’t structurally critical. So, I trim them in the end and all’s right with the world!
Shark in the water?
Another benefit to creating fabric that will be cut/sewn is that I don’t have to worry about the sides being pretty! If I were working on a table runner or scarf, I would need to go back through at the end and hand-weave all the pesky little ends back into the fabric. Not so fun!!!
Ends that didn’t make the turn…
An “under-loom” shot! (Instead of underwater… no?)
It was a long time ago now, but when I dressed the loom, I used yardsticks on the back beam to keep the yarns evenly wound on. I like to use them on the front beam too, in order to guarantee the fabric winds on smoothly. Could be overkill… who’s to say?
My trusty yardsticks working hard!
In comes the power ties!
There have been a number of times during the project that I’ve had to stop and slice up more ties! And while I can somewhat imagine what they will look like together, it’s always a surprise! A brightly-colored tie can be placed with other brightly-colored ties and still stand out! Makes me think of a few people I know… (There some sort of philosophical musing about human nature in here somewhere, I’m sure…)
Yum…
We have no shortage of blue/red ties!
So, going through the actual weaving process is a little like going to Catholic Mass. You sit for a bit, stand for bit and if things go south, you kneel. On my loom, I can weave about 6″ to 6-1/2″ before I have to get up and forward the fabric. When you work with fatter materials, the weaving goes faster and therefore you are up and down a lot more! I don’t worry too much about carpal tunnel since I don’t really sit still for long!
Coming around the bend…
The tie is ready to go!
You have been real troopers to hang in there with me! Next week, you’ll see the fabric off the loom! Promise! Until then…
Gorgeous!
Thank you so much! I appreciate it! chris
Isn’t that just totally amazing – not only you weave a gorgeous fabric, but you also weave your thoughts and emotions in it. At the end, the fabric is not just the fabric, it’s a time capsule, it’s part of you, it is part of your life that can be seen in so many different forms – bags, scarves, jackets…but even though it can be seen in those forms, it still holds the secrets. 🙂
What a philosopher you are! That’s so beautiful – I’m honored! Thank you! chris
Amazing! You make it sound so easy!
Hey Jessica! Thank you so much! I think it’s easier to make it sound easy when you love what you’re doing! I’m sure you hear similar comments with your amazing website, too! Have a good one! chris