I finally finished weaving off the Monk’s Belt (4 shaft) threading warp yesterday. It was a 15 yard warp, and three scarves had previously been removed. This time it was 7 yards, 6 inches actual weaving (scarf width) with unwoven area for fringe on each end of each scarf. Each was treadled differently.
Now ready-to-dye!
I spent most of today, gathering and tying the three scarves, plus another piece that will be used for smaller items.
Next is dyeing with indigo, finishing, and twisting fringe. I need to get another warp made and beamed and more scarves woven for the art tour, some sewing done, and a long list of practical things (wash windows, weeding, etc.).
The days are flying by. I realized while walking today, that in just a few weeks we will be well into autumn and leaves turning color! How can summer be going by so quickly?
I couldn’t believe my eyes this morning. It just couldn’t be! I was about 45″ into a scarf, I’d stopped to take a photo of the underside of the weaving when I noticed a problem,… about 14″+ back.
Easier to see from this angle.
Do you see it? It’s more visible from this angle. I’d been weaving 4 plain weave rows between each pattern row, and didn’t notice the one time I wove 6 rows.
My choices were ignore it and hope it wouldn’t be noticeable after dyeing,… I believe it will be visible as slightly wider indigo blue areas across the width; or cut and remove 14″+ of weft and re-weave,… which might give me tension problems the rest of the warp. And most important, I don’t weave and sell work that I know has an error. Certainly, I fix errors that can be repaired and continue weaving, but with this piece, that was no longer an option. So the next best thing is use it for something else, and begin anew.
So, I ended that piece, 45″ or so long, too short for a scarf, but will be useful to create smaller items.
New scarf, with wider plain weave areas.
A new scarf was begun, hemstitched on the loom, and is being woven with 12 rows of tabby between pattern rows. I want to see how much difference there will be between the two pieces after they are dyed. All good things to note and take photos of for future reference.
It’s after midnight, now July 3rd, and I think I’m going to go down and weave for a bit. There may be warp left after this scarf, and I plan to be indigo dyeing on Saturday and letting the pieces air-dry. On Sunday morning, I’ll wash them, rinse numerous times, air-dry, press, and twist fringe. Hoping for photos on Monday.
I’m also deciding whether to re-warp and use the same threading and tie-up, or change weave structure. In my spare time this weekend I hope to get the next warp made.
I’m enjoying woven shibori, figuring out what choices I have, what I can try to control, and continuing to try variations. The ideas keep coming!
I’m now counting down the day before the Northwoods Art Tour, July 24-25-26, and all I need to accomplish before then. I’ve made a detailed list that includes a daily list to keep me on track. Funny how deadlines always seem so far away, and suddenly they are so close! So much to do, and I want to enjoy it all!
SHUTTLE WORKS STUDIO 