Two weeks ago I put together my project design, measured out the warp for the sample and started sleying my reed.
When I wrapped up my weaving class last week, I had started threading the heddles.
By the end of my class tonight, I had all my heddles threaded and my warp tied on the back beam.
You're probably wondering why this took me so long. And why I consider it to be an accomplishment worth blogging about.
Well...
First let me talk about the design. I love having pillows on my bed. I have always wanted one of those really impractical bolster pillows, and after my experience with double weave in my sampler, a couple of those bee bees in my head knocked against each other and it occurred to me that I could make my own . But I also wanted to try out some interesting texture for my next weaving project, play around with a cloth woven on shafts and weave with finer threads. So I decided on a double weave tube of waffle weave using 10/2 (fine lace weight) .perle cotton -- which means about 28 warp ends per inch (which actually works out to 14 ends per inch because I'm working in double weave)
But, before I wove the the real project, I figured I'd better test some things out first. First off, both waffle weave and cottons tend to shrink when washed, so I needed to figure out what the circumference of my tube would need to be to ensure that it would still fit around the pillow (I settled on a pillow that is 10" in diameter by about 3 ft long). I also wanted to make sure that I understood the threading and treadling patterns. So this white warp is only a yard long. I'll probably work about a foot of tube and then cut it off and wash it and try it out on my pillow.
What made this such an accomplishment is that I needed this sample to have a 30-31" circumference... or about 420 warp ends. And that's a little bit of work no matter how you slice it. But next week, after I tie things onto the front beam, actual weaving will start -- and I'm going to play with boat shuttles -- so I'm looking forward to some fun things ahead.
And because I can't resist...
... one of my favorite pictures from Mother's Day, taken by my Dad. It features a sweet baby and one of my favorite pieces of knitwear. We had a very nice weekend. I hope everyone out there is looking forward to a nice weekend to come!
You're probably wondering why this took me so long. And why I consider it to be an accomplishment worth blogging about.Well...
First let me talk about the design. I love having pillows on my bed. I have always wanted one of those really impractical bolster pillows, and after my experience with double weave in my sampler, a couple of those bee bees in my head knocked against each other and it occurred to me that I could make my own . But I also wanted to try out some interesting texture for my next weaving project, play around with a cloth woven on shafts and weave with finer threads. So I decided on a double weave tube of waffle weave using 10/2 (fine lace weight) .perle cotton -- which means about 28 warp ends per inch (which actually works out to 14 ends per inch because I'm working in double weave)
But, before I wove the the real project, I figured I'd better test some things out first. First off, both waffle weave and cottons tend to shrink when washed, so I needed to figure out what the circumference of my tube would need to be to ensure that it would still fit around the pillow (I settled on a pillow that is 10" in diameter by about 3 ft long). I also wanted to make sure that I understood the threading and treadling patterns. So this white warp is only a yard long. I'll probably work about a foot of tube and then cut it off and wash it and try it out on my pillow.
What made this such an accomplishment is that I needed this sample to have a 30-31" circumference... or about 420 warp ends. And that's a little bit of work no matter how you slice it. But next week, after I tie things onto the front beam, actual weaving will start -- and I'm going to play with boat shuttles -- so I'm looking forward to some fun things ahead.
And because I can't resist...
... one of my favorite pictures from Mother's Day, taken by my Dad. It features a sweet baby and one of my favorite pieces of knitwear. We had a very nice weekend. I hope everyone out there is looking forward to a nice weekend to come!
I think your mother's day picture is wonderful. You look radiant and Z is beautiful as ever. And I love the shawl. I think that it is a picture you will treasure in the coming years.
Looking forward to watching your weaving adventure. I've yet to dip into that but will eventually. I just know if I do I will want a floor loom. Too many things I want to do and not enough time to do them.
Susan
What a sweet picture of the two of you!
Lovely photo of the two of you, Miss Z. has grown tall.
As babies go, you got a good one!
Always love the photos of Ms. Z!
What shawl pattern did you use? I would like to make my Sis one for her birthday, and the one you are wearing would be perfect.
That is a lot of ends to thread! It sounds like a great pillow for your bed, and will be worth the work.
What a lovely picture! Thanks for reminding me that I need to block my DFS too!
What an incredible picture of two happy ladies wearing handknits. As an adult, Z will especially treasure it, I suspect.
What an amazing picture of two happy ladies wearing handknits. As an adult, Z will especially treasure it, I suspect.
Even a simple project takes a fair amount of time in the warping, and I've been lucky in that all of the projects I've done have been only about 70 ends. I can imagine how much more time and effort it takes for more than 4 times that amount!
What a lovely picture of the two of you!
You both look fabulous!
That's a great picture of you and your daughter.