We have crossed all the treacherous obstacles involved in dressing the loom and are now ready for some weaving! Par-tay!
Bring in the TP!
First up, we need some sort of filler to even out the yarns. I like to use toilet paper – preferably, the really cheap stuff! For every (5) weavers you meet, they will have (5) different ways of tackling this part of the process! Using old yarn, strips of fabric, just start weaving without beating it until it evens out, etc. So many options! None of them wrong! (See how zen I sound? Everyone is right in their own way. Well… maybe not you over there with the funny smirk on your face…)
Knots & TP as far as the eye can see! (aka, the width of the loom!)
Enter weft stage right…
Since I have blues and purples in the warp (yarns in the loom), it makes sense to start things off with a little blue in the weft (yarns in the shuttle)!
Let’s begin with a little sky blue!
So, funny story. I grew up with an elementary teacher who loved everything to match and I inherited a strong sense of color from her! Fast forward to college and I happened to be taking a studio class in my Interior Design major when I have an instructor tell me that my sample board is too “matchy-matchy”… Huh? I’m sure the look on my face said, “I have no idea what you are saying to me! Speak English, please.” I have no recollection of how I remedied the problem. But, I’m sure I grumbled the entire time thinking the instructor was simply crazy! I find it fascinating what people prefer! Even when they are wrong… (Boy, the zen thing didn’t last but a minute, right?)
Using the trusty rag shuttle!
Throw in a few neckties for good measure!
I’ve decided to use recycled neckties as a design element in the fabric – partly because I like the look, and partly because to create fabric solely using ties takes a really long time! I’ve done it, and believe me when I say it’s not quick! So, my solution is to create a hybrid. Use a traditionally woven base and sprinkle in some cool, recycled materials to add a little flair! We’ll see how it goes. Keep your fingers crossed for me…
Ah, the woven landscape!
It’s always good to step back!
All my purple fans can rejoice that I’m using purple ties! It’s a bit subtle, but I like it! As I get into the darker colors, it will be interesting to see how the ties stand out!
The fabric is starting to wind on!
Lifting shafts 1 & 3… or 2 & 4 – I can’t tell!
Can I tell you how happy all this weaving makes me? If you could peer through the computer, you would see the ridiculous grin! And even better, there is more weaving to come! What is better than that? Not much, friends… not much. Let’s meet back here next week, shall we? Talk to you soon…
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Art, Dressing the Loom, Planning a Project, Weaving, Weaving Fabric, Yarn
