Category Archives: woven shibori

New “Dye Studio”

August 2, 2015 janicezindel 2 Comments

When I first began indigo dyeing three years ago, I set up a 6′ table out on the lakeside porch. It worked well, until a porcupine and a black bear started visiting.

At that point, the table, indigo vat, and supplies were moved to a workbench and vintage metal cupboard in the garage. That didn’t work quite so well as Char had her woodworking shop in the garage. Things were usually covered with fine (saw)dust. And though the garage gets a bit of heat in winter, subzero temps made it too cold to work out there. So, when I needed to dye with the indigo, I’d bring it in to the kitchen near the wood burning range, about 24 hours in advance of dyeing, so things could warm up.

A few months ago, the idea of my using part of the entry/laundry room for a dye area, year around. So a few days before the summer 2015 Northwoods Art Tour, Char finished the remainder of the floor and trim (above).

Also discussed were wood shelves and a movable table, but the good possibility of putting my home up for sale put those ideas on hold.

Tables, indigo vat, and supplies now inside!

Instead, I added my 6′ well-used banquet-type table to the room, joining the oak mission table we use (shown above with sewing machine). The washer and dryer are just visible on the right; a single utility sink is next to the washer, and next to that, a storage closet. Chemicals, etc., will be kept in 2 cupboards above the dryer. And, a light was added over the 6′ table.

Is it my dream dye studio? No! But it is working fine for this weaver/indigo dyer. For now. I am thankful to have this space! I put it to use a couple days before the art tour, dyeing four new scarves. One even sold, unfinished, during the art tour! (Fringe was hand-twisted, the scarf was pressed, and mailed.)

About the same time all this was going on, a new 15 yard warp was made, beamed, and threaded, so I’ve be able to demonstrate and explain the woven shibori process to visitors.

As I write this and the next couple posts, I’m visiting my dad who just celebrated his 88th birthday two days ago. I’m enjoying time with family, and also looking forward to getting back to my loom and weaving!

Before leaving home, I did finish the new scarves, managed to snap a few photos, and they were delivered to Artistree Gallery. Photos will be in an upcoming post, so please check back!

Uncategorized, woven shibori

Slow Progress

July 8, 2015 janicezindel Leave a comment

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.

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?

woven shibori

It Couldn’t Be!

July 3, 2015 janicezindel 2 Comments

Oh, No,... an error,... — Oh, No,… an ERROR,…

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.

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!

Art Gypsies, woven shibori

Three Scarves, One Threading

June 30, 2015 janicezindel 2 Comments

Knots cut on along one selvedge, opening the pleats.

Opening the pleats to get a first glimpse of each scarf is always exciting. This was the vertical stripe scarf.

Dragonflies border scarf, in rinse water.

Three very different looking scarves, all from the same warp and threading,… and a couple more to come before a new warp.

June 13th was our Art Gypsy show. I invested in a new tent, tables, tablecloths, and took my wood sign with. Since it rained most of the day, the woven shibori screen spent the day under plastic.

Variations on a theme from a previous warp.

Space on a table for a mirror (for trying on scarves), guest book, business cards, along with Northwoods Art Tour, Artistree Gallery, and Shuttle Works Studio brochures. The columbine plant added a nice touch of color.

Enjoying my grandson's 1st Birthday party! — Enjoying my grandson’s 1st Birthday party!

Wisconsin Life WPR, woven shibori

Where Do the Days Go?

June 29, 2015 janicezindel Leave a comment

I knew it had been awhile since I last posted here, but was stunned when I saw it was March 1st! Where do the days go?

So this is a quick update.

Screen at Artistree Gallery, 1, 03-18-2015 - Copy — Woven Shibori three-panel screen, at Artistree Gallery, Land O’ Lakes, WI.

March 2015 – On March 7th, the Art Gypsy exhibit at Nicolet College Art Gallery closed, the woven shibori scarves and screen were picked up and taken to Artistree Gallery in Land O’ Lakes, WI.

April 2015 – A tooth abcess, which had spent six years coming and going, reared its ugly head in January, and for 3.5 months I was in increasing pain and taking 4 antibiotics over those months, finally admitting it was time to have the tooth removed. I’d fought it for a long time but knew I was not feeling well and it was getting worse. Soon after the appointment I realized I as feeling well again, thank goodness! Very little weaving was going on during that period (after the screen was finished), or much else.

Woven Shibori Scarf, 03-04-2015 - Copy — Advancing twill woven shibori scarf.

Indigo Vat Revived & Ready, 04-09-2015 - Copy — Indigo vat, revived.

After I was feeling better I was able to finish up a scarf that had been ordered, get it dyed, and sent off.

WS #1 - Copy - Copy — Advancing twill woven shibori scarf, indigo-dyed.

I was very pleased with the results and I believe the customer was, also.

A phone call had come that my father was being admitted to the hospital, and I was on the road two hours later for the five hour drive south. After four days in the hospital (Influenza B and a touch of pneumonia) he was released, feeling very weak, and I stayed to take care of him, fifteen days, I believe, then home.

Keda by Loom, 05-27-2015 - Copy — Keda in the weaving studio.

Earlier in April, I had applied to adopt a little dog, mixed breed, that no one else seemed to want as she has secondary epilepsy. I picked Keda up in Green Bay, a slight detour on my way home. Then came a few weeks adjustment for both of us. Her meds was also adjusted, and things have improved. She is a sweetie, but can be stubborn. So I now have a little companion in the studio where she hangs out in her bed, or sometimes under the rolling cart. At least she has stopped barking at the loom with each depressed treadle!

May 2015 – Back home, I was able to weave again, back working on woven shibori scarves, indigo dyeing, and trying out ideas. This time a 4 shaft Monk’s Belt threading, and 8 treadles tied up for a couple variations.

Woven shibori scarf, border on each end, and free-stitching area.

Do you remember the little sample I made awhile back, with a free-stitched dragonfly on plain weave? It was time to do it again, on a scarf.

Beginning to stitch the dragonflies on a border.

There will be photos of this scarf and two others in the next post.

Before placing the handwoven scarves into the indigo vat, I “test” it with small cotton PFD swatches. The indigo on handwovens does not come out the same as on these swatches, but it gives me an idea of where the vat is, so I can estimate how long I want to leave the scarves in, and how many dips. Right now, the swatches are just a little unplanned collection, but they will be used in making small items, even piecing a few. Stay tuned!

I may have written about being interviewed late last summer or early fall, by Nancy Camden, for a segment on Wisconsin Life, on Wis. Public Radio. It was finally aired on Wed., May 27, 2015. If you are interested, you can listen to it here. (http://www.wisconsinlife.org/story/weaving-life)

In my studio, view from the kitchen. Photo by Nancy Camden.

The next blog post will be along very shortly! I’m back in the studio, have a lot of weaving to do, as well as preparing for the summer Northwoods Art Tour (http://northwoodsarttour.com), and more to write about and share here. Life is good!

Art Gypsies, Art Gypsies Trunk Show, ArtisTree Gallery, drawloom, woven shibori

Busy Year Coming Up!

February 28, 2015 janicezindel Leave a comment

It feels good to be back in my weaving studio again, surrounded by looms, threads, and books. I’m a bit late getting started on plans for the new year. A tooth infection, the flu (both in January), followed by a more severe tooth infection (same tooth), so in mid-February, I took time off to heal and take better care of myself.

I did meet the deadline of completing the woven shibori screen and three scarves for the Art Gypsy Trunk Show/Exhibit, now at Nicolet College Art Gallery,… the show ends Saturday, March 7, 2015.

Woven shibori scarves will remain the focus this year, Yes, I have noticed a lot of “blah” photos here, it’s not easy to make them interesting or exciting, until you reach the indigo dyeing stage. I am hungry for COLOR in weaving so I expect to slip a different warp/project in on occasion.

Artistree Gallery, Land O' Lakes, WI. — Artistree Gallery, Land O’ Lakes, WI.

Artistree Gallery, a cooperative gallery in Land O’ Lakes, WI with work of about 30 area artists, is waiting for more new work. I’m told they will take anything I weave that is woven shibori technique. Open now four days a week, they are closed the month of April for cleaning and rearranging, then re-open May 1st. You can find more info at https://www.facebook.com/ArtistreeGallery.

Also coming up fast is the Art Gypsies June 13th show/sale in Minocqua, WI, as well as the Northwoods Art Tour (summer and fall). A lot of weaving to do and socks to be made.

Drawloom warp is not clear, threads sticking.

I’m having issues with the warp on the drawloom. I really like weaving with the Bockens 16/2 cotton, but the threads stick together and it takes treadling a couple times at this sett to maybe have a clear shed, or clear each shed with a weaving sword.

Tiny spots of white where they should not be.

Random single threads showing (white) should not be there. It was suggested to me to re-sley to a bit wider sett, so I need to do a bit of research for sett for 16/2 cotton in satin weave. With more sunny days (I hope!) it would be a good time to do this, then enjoy weaving in the sunshine.

IWarp ends from previous owner need to be cleared from the Regiina.

The Glimakra Regina rug/tapestry loom has been sitting here now for a year. It was a busy year, and sometimes I need time to ponder what I want to weave while busy with another loom. I’ve decided I want to begin with a Rana, weft face weaving traditional in Norway and Sweden. There are nice examples in a number of books, and I need to order warp and weft so I can finally begin weaving on this loom. And yes, there will be COLOR with this weaving! The two harnesses with heddles are on, I just need to remove remaining warp ends from the previous owner, and add treadles.

So, a lot more woven shibori coming up for Artistree, the Art Gypsies show, and the art tours. Also, some Norwegian weaving, also for the art tours as well as for my home. And I now would like some handwoven valances on windows, so there is plenty to weave over the coming months. All this along with occasional visits to my 87 year old father, as well as my grandson & family.

I’m looking forward to continuing my weaving interests, exploring, learning, successes as well as challenges. Now, back to my loom!

woven shibori

Counting Down

January 22, 2015 janicezindel Leave a comment

Woven shibori scarves continue to come off my loom. They don’t look like much at this point, no color, but color there will be,… indigo blue!

Weaving is checked over for any needed repairs.

The scarves are looked over for any problems or skips that will need to be repaired.

The scarves are gathered, first on one side and knots are tied. Then the other side is very tightly gathered and knotted to create the needed resist to allow the “pattern” to show, which comes from the threading, tie-up, treadling, and tabby rows between pattern rows.

A deadline has become uncomfortably close, and I am far behind. Two months of making socks placed me behind my schedule before the end of 2014. A tooth infection closely followed by the flu, then a wildlife run for an eagle, and the ensuing discomfort in my right hand from experiencing its talons (even wearing welders gloves) is making me a bit panic-y about meeting my goals. We’ll see.

Meanwhile, I have 10 days (and nights) and I’d better return to the loom and finish weaving another scarf,… or two. I know the end of the warp is there somewhere but I can’t seem to reach it!

indigo dyeing, woven shibori

December 2014

December 30, 2014 janicezindel Leave a comment

Most of December was spent cranking socks, successfully getting all but two pairs done and either mailed or delivered before Christmas. I estimate between those socks, the ones tossed, and those sitting on a counter that have small issues where I won’t sell them, I made somewhere around 140 socks in November & December, a record for me!

In the midst of the sock machine problems (see the previous post), I had an email requesting a woven shibori scarf. I had developed severe pain in my right wrist and hand from all the cranking, In December, and had to stop working on socks for four days, but by day 3 figured I could last on the warp, tie up the treadles, and see if I could weave without causing additional pain. I could! So I spent two days weaving the scarf, and doing the gather/tie preparation, and making up a new indigo vat.

New indigo dye vat, working in my kitchen near the woodburning range.

The vat was ready quickly, lots of good “flower,” and the dyeing went smoothly, putting the scarf into the vat twice. It was then rinsed and allowed to air-dry. When nearly dry I started clipping the tight knots and opening it up.

Woven Shibori scarf, 100% cotton, indigo dyed. (SOLD)

It was a beauty!!! After washing it twice, rinsing well, air-dry, pressing, hand-twisting the fringe, and taking a few photos, I had to package it up and get it in the mail to hopefully arrive before Dec. 24th.

Starting Christmas Day, I took five days off for family and rest. Now, it’s time to get back into the studio and create more.

indigo, woven shibori

Autumn Begins

September 24, 2014 janicezindel Leave a comment

Yesterday was the Autumn Equinox, and the beautiful northwoods of WI now has beautiful color.

Meanwhile, I continue with woven shibori scarves since all but one were sold during the art tour.

The end of the warp was finally in sight!

It’s always good to see the number of warping sticks go down!

I was hoping for three scarves and another long piece that would, after dyeing, be cut up and used for smaller items. Unfortunately one of the scarves had a one row treadling error which I did not notice until after dyeing. Happily, my daughter wants it and does not mind.

The next part of the process is to gather and tie, as tightly as possible, the “pattern threads” which are removed after dyeing.

The pieces were left to dry outdoors for a few hours, then brought inside. They are not opened until dry, or nearly dry if I cannot wait to see the results.

Due to the tight gathers, when first opened the scarves are quite crinkly, reminding me of collapse weave. However, the scarves must be washed and well rinsed to remove any dye not attached.

Scarves are hand-washed in a mild soap, then repeatedly rinsed until the water is clear. After air-drying they are pressed and fringe is hand-twisted. The results are,…

Beautiful, one-of-a-kind woven shibori scarves.

The goal is for each scarf to be unique. One more warp and it will be time to explore new ideas.

Northwoods Art Tour 2014, single unit drawloom, woven shibori

Northwoods Art Tour 2014

July 30, 2014 janicezindel Leave a comment

Above is a woven shibori scarf, 4 shaft Monk’s Belt. I enjoy creating one-of-a-kind scarves by varying the treadling on each one.

I am hemstitching these scarves on the loom. Normally I would break up the threading to avoid reed marks, but leaving it has been useful when hemstitching 3 threads in each group.

Two recent scarves. — Two recent scarves, variations on a theme..

Both of these scarves are from the same warp, same threading, and were treadled differently for different results.

I’m back at work, getting the Glimakra Regina rug/tapestry loom ready to be warped. Heddles and cords were given the “spa” treatment, heddles were clipped apart, and put on two shafts. The shafts were then fastened to the loom. All that is left is to add the treadles, remove remnants of the old warp, make a new warp, and beam/thread/sley it. And then WEAVE!

It was time to declutter and clean the studio for the summer Northwoods Art Tour.

Northwoods Art Tour banner near the entry.

Studio, with Glimakra Standard.

The studio was decluttered, books shelved, cones of yarn put in order, weaving displayed. The Glimakra Standard had woven shibori in progress, along with a scarf that had been indigo dyed and still gathered and tyed, with only a few knots removed to show the resulting fabric as a demo.

The Glimakra single unit drawloom had demo weaving in progress. It was rather frustrating to weave on as the humidity was so high warp threads were sticking together, making it difficult to get a clear shed. Visitors found the loom fascinating.

The north end of the room was set up for more demos – band loom, spinning, and the 1908 Gearhart sock machine. Many wanted to see everything in action.

Despite the threads sticking due to high humidity, I was very pleased with the “landscape” effect of the variegated yarn I decided to try that first morning, and I’ll be working with that more.

Chatting with art tour visitors, sharing my love of weaving and fiber arts, and answering questions is always a pleasure.

Shuttle Works Studio sign . — Shuttle Works Studio sign.

And now it is time to start preparing for our guild demo/sale event, October 4th, during CranberryFest weekend; the Fall Northwoods Art Tour, Oct. 10-12, and our first annual Northwoods Artisan Women Open Studio/Holiday Art Show, on November 15th. There is a lot of weaving to be done and socks to be made, wonderful hours in Shuttle Works Studio.

SHUTTLE WORKS STUDIO