6 Weaving Do’s & Don’ts

Show Notes

Want more weaving do’s and don’ts? Check out this video from my YouTube channel!

In her Handwoven Magazine piece titled “Loom Weaving is Simple … and Difficult”, Susan E. Horton perfectly illustrates what makes weaving so magical. Click here to check it out.

Free Resources!

Would you look at that? There is an entire collection of FREE weaving resources at your fingertips on the Acton Creative website! Everything from “Parts of a Loom”, to “6 Weaving Patterns”, to the “Beginner’s Guide to Weaving Yarn” – there’s a little something for everyone. Simply click here to pick which one (or all!) will be helpful for you!

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When to Weave

Show Notes

You can work on your weaving at any time of day, even if you’re nowhere near a loom! I share some tips in my “Becoming a Better Weaver When You’re Not Weaving” episode of A Handwoven Experience. Click here to check it out!

Not sure when you’re most productive? In her article “How To Figure Out Exactly What Time of Day You’ll Be Most Productive” in Fast Company magazine, Stephanie Vozza shares tips for determining when we are most (and least) productive. Click here to learn more!

Join the AC Insiders!

Ready to take your weaving to the next level? Become an AC Insider today! Join the Resource Center tier for Weaving Study Hall, free weaving tips, and bonus “A Handwoven Experience” episodes. Or become a member of the Online Weavers’ Guild and get all of these plus access to monthly meetings, quarterly weaving challenges, and the support and friendship of a community of weavers. Want all of these goodies AND be in-the-know about all things Acton Creative? Join the Founders tier. There’s something for everyone! Click here to learn more.

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Play With Your Warp

Show Notes

Before you play with your warp, you need to create a break in your fabric. Need help with that step? I’ve got you! Check out “Creating a Break in Your Fabric” on my YouTube channel here.

Need help dressing a loom? Want some pattern ideas to play with? Check out these and all of my FREE resources here.

Join the AC Insiders!

Ready to take your weaving to the next level? Become an AC Insider today! Join the Resource Center tier for Weaving Study Hall, free weaving tips, and bonus A Handwoven Experience episodes. Or become a member of the Online Weavers’ Guild and get all of these plus access to monthly meetings, quarterly weaving challenges, and the support and friendship of a community of weavers. Want all of these goodies AND be in-the-know about all things Acton Creative? Join the Founders tier. There’s something for everyone and we’re saving you a seat! Click here to learn more and to join today.

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Caryl is a tartan expert. Not only has she woven more than she can count, she has designed and registered several herself. So I knew that there is no one better than Caryl to help me understand what makes a tartan, a tartan. Join us as we explore the amazing world of tartans and plaids. May it inspire you to try weaving a tartan (or two!). Happy weaving!

Tartans vs. Plaids

Show Notes

One of my favorite things about weaving is learning from and collaborating with other weavers. Which is why I host Live at the Loom each week on YouTube. During this livestream weavers from around the world gather to share their stories. Click here to learn more and to join us!

The Scottish Register of Tartans is THE resource for tartan patterns. Click here to learn more about tartans and check out all of the patterns registered so far (including Caryl’s!).

Ongoing Classes

Want to learn more about weaving but have a hard time fitting classes into your schedule? Check out my ongoing, fully online weaving classes. I cover an array of topics, from Planning a Weaving Project, to Reading a Weaving Draft, to Weaving a Color Gamp – each class is self-paced so you can take all the time you need. Best of all, once you purchase one of my classes you have unlimited access to it so you can refer back to it anytime you need. Ready to level-up your weaving game? Click here to learn more.

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Weaving is a magical craft full of possibilities. Sometimes those possibilities can feel overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be! This week I’ll show you how easy it is to start your weaving journey. You don’t even need a loom. You just need the will to start and a helping hand (or two) to guide you. Happy weaving!

I Want to Learn to Weave

Show Notes

There is an entire collection of FREE weaving resources at your fingertips on the Acton Creative website! Everything from “Parts of a Loom”, to “Six Weaving Patterns”, to the “Beginner’s Guide to Weaving Yarn” – there’s something for everyone. Simply click here to pick which one (or all!) will be helpful for you!

I found an article in Handwoven magazine by Christina Garton full of resources for beginning weavers. Click here to check it out!

Weaving Classes

Want to learn more about weaving but have a hard time fitting classes into your schedule? Check out my ongoing, fully online weaving classes. I cover an array of topics, from Planning a Weaving Project, to Reading a Weaving Draft, to Weaving a Color Gamp – each class is self-paced so you can take all the time you need. Best of all, once you purchase one of my classes you have unlimited access to it so you can refer back to it anytime you need. Ready to level-up your weaving game? Click here for more info and to sign up!

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This week I’m sharing tips for what to do if you run out of yarn. It can happen to any of us. You’re standing at your warping board and suddenly you’re short a color. Or you’re happily weaving your fabric and notice a lot of cardboard in your cone. You absolutely can buy more yarn. But you don’t have to. Join me as I share some simple steps you can take to turn a lack of yarn into a fabulous one-of-a-kind piece of fabric. Happy weaving!

Wait – I Ran Out of Yarn!

Show Notes

Want to learn more about weaving yarn? I’ve got you covered! My FREE Beginner’s Guide to Weaving Yarn walks you through everything you need to know about weaving yarn. Click here to check it out!

My friends at Hemptique published this exhaustive guide to yarn types and materials. Click here to learn more about all of the different fibers you can work with!

Online Weavers’ Guild

Are you looking for a community of weavers who love weaving as much as you do? Look no further my friend! The Acton Creative Online Weaver’s Guild is a place where you can spend time with other weavers, share your weaving stories, trade tips, and learn a few things along the way. We meet once a month over Zoom, host an ongoing members-only chat so that we don’t lose touch in between meetings, take part in quarterly weaving challenges, and more. We’re saving you a seat! Head to https://patreon.com/actoncreative for more information & links to join. See you soon!

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Show Notes –

Looms = early computers? – Did you know that there is a direct connection between the Jacquard loom and computers? Yes! The process of creating a complicated weaving pattern using a punchcard inspired all sorts of future technology. Look at us! World, you are welcome. Here’s a great article about this exact correlation. 

Weaver’s Superpower – As weavers, we are really quite remarkable. True statement! And one of the things that makes us unique is that we have a weft that can be anything. Imagine the incredible upcycling and reinventing that you can do, so long as an item can be cut into strips. Remarkable! Check out episode 149 to get the creative juices flowing. 

FREE Weaving Resources

Would you look at that? There is an entire list of FREE weaving resources at your fingertips on the Acton Creative website! Everything from Parts of a Loom, to 6 Weaving Patterns, to the Beginner’s Guide to Weaving Yarn – there’s a little something for everyone. Simply click here to pick which one (or all!) will be helpful for you! https://actoncreative.net/free-resources/

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As it turns out, these two different styles of looms have more in common than not. There are just a few simple features that separate them. And at the end of the day, you’ll still be weaving! That’s a win in every book.

Show Notes –

Tour of a RH loom – Ooooh, I found a great tour of a rigid heddle loom on Gist. If you are new to this style of loom, their tour will provide a wonderful introduction. Click here to get more familiar with rigid heddle looms. 

So you want to buy a loom! – A few months back, I created an episode all about the process of buying a loom. There are some key factors you should definitely consider before simply diving in to buy anything. But don’t worry, I’m going to walk you through it. Here’s the spot to open up all the details. 

Michele Marshall & Mingo’s Corner – Michele was our special guest on today’s episode of A Handwoven Experience. She’s a wildly talented weaver and technical genius! Please go check out her work at “mingos_corner” on IG, or “mingoscornershop” on Etsy.

FREE Weaving Resources

Would you look at that? There is an entire list of FREE weaving resources at your fingertips on the Acton Creative website! Everything from Parts of a Loom, to 6 Weaving Patterns, to the Beginner’s Guide to Weaving Yarn – there’s a little something for everyone. Simply click here to pick which one (or all!) will be helpful for you! https://actoncreative.net/free-resources/

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Show Notes –

In the video, I talk about the education and community elements of the company. Well, I have geared the website to reflect that with big “Learn” and “Connect” tabs. Under those tabs you’ll find all the various ways Acton Creative can assist you in your weaving journey. So I hope you will explore things like the Weave Alongs and the Dress Your Loom Course.

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So in today’s episode, I’m celebrating our differences! I’ve offered up 3 weaving categories, and I’m encouraging you to give it a little thought. I hope you’ll share your results and help me cheer on all of us, no matter what kind of weaver you are.

Show Notes –

Bryana Bibbs – I recently had the opportunity to see a beautiful exhibit by Bryana Bibbs. She’s a fiber artist based out of Chicago. She displayed a daily fiber journal at our local Chesterton Art Center and it was amazing! Imagine creating a weaving project on a frame loom everyday. Her use of texture and materials was truly inspiring, and she came to mind as I created today’s episode. This is a wonderful interview she gave to Warp & Weft Magazine. 

Identifying a Weaver – WAY back in the beginning of A Handwoven Experience (as in, episode 12!), I did a video called, “5 Ways to Recognize a Weaver”. It is a humorous, yet mostly true, depiction of the life of a weaver. I think you’ll enjoy it! Here is the link to check it out. 

April Weave Along –

The April Weave Along is here! Join us for this month-long weaving adventure where we all start and finish a project in the month of April, and we all utilize the same pattern. This time around, we’re leaning into undulating twill! To see all the program details and find out how you can participate, jog over to the April Weave Along Central page.

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