Finer Weft for a Stronger Cord
- By Karen
- May 16, 2017
- 2 Comments
I need a strong cord for a specific use. It needs to look nice, without drawing attention to itself. This cord will connect three small pieces of wood. I will reveal how they will be used after I finish weaving the cord.
Three wooden pieces to be connected for a purpose. What are they for? You are welcome to put your guess in the comments…
I chose 12/6 rug warp for the project, to make this a durable cord. With a band this narrow, the 12/6 cotton is too bulky for weft. I could not pull the selvedges tight. I need a finer weft that will draw the warp ends together and disappear at the selvedges. Black 16/1 linen works beautifully!
Using 12/6 cotton rug warp for the weft proved to be unworkable for this narrow band. Light shows through the gaps at the selvedges.
Black linen weft matches the black selvedge threads. The 16/1 linen enables tight and even selvedges for this 5/16″ (8 mm) band.
A change of heart changes everything. The condition of our heart is revealed in the way we behave toward others. Our thoughts and actions are a matter of the heart. To live in a manner that is unselfish, generous, kind, and content, we must do more than line up the right outward appearances. We must start with humility. Having the perfect warp means nothing if the weft interferes with a beautiful outcome. Humility, like the linen weft, is a posture of the heart that pulls everything else together.
May your heart be beautiful.
Warmly,
Karen
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Making Hanging Tabs for Towels
- By Karen
- March 3, 2017
- 12 Comments
It’s this kind of detail that takes a handcrafted item up a notch. A hanging tab made from a handwoven band is more than an accent for a handwoven hand towel. The small hanging tab, mostly unnoticed, adds a statement: This towel has a purpose. It is meant to be placed where it will be used.
How to Make Hanging Tabs for Towels from a Handwoven Band:
- Mark cutting lines on the woven band. My lines are 4 1/4″ apart.
- Zigzag forward and back on both sides of the marked lines, leaving room for cutting apart.
- Cut the band apart at the marked lines, between the zigzag rows.
- Decide where and how to place the hanging tab.
- Position the tab, and push the zigzagged ends to the fold inside the pressed and folded towel hem. Pin or clip in place.
- Stitch the towel hem, securely catching the ends of the hanging tab.
- Use the towel. Enjoy!
Your prayers matter. Pray a blessing on your children and grandchildren. Your prayers add a detail to their lives that sets them apart. The blessing we ask is that they know the Lord. That they will call on the Lord. That they will say they belong to the Lord. Ultimately, our prayer is for the Lord to place them where they live out the purpose for which he has designed them.
May your prayers reach the heart of God.
With purpose,
Karen
12 Comments
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Hi Cate, They are fabric clips. I found these nifty clips in the quilting section at Hobby Lobby. They work better than pins in so many situations.
Karen
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Gabriela says:
Beautiful photographic study of geometric forms. Lines, angles, shading, colors…
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Hi Gabriela, What a nice compliment! Thank you! That gives this another level of interest – an artist’s view.
All the best,
Karen
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Shari says:
You have such an amazing sense for design and color! And your weaving is out of this world! Funny expression! Plus, I recognize the towel rack in the bathroom! Lovely!
Shari-
Hi Shari, I like the idea of being out of this world! haha Ah yes, that towel rack is one of my best finds from IKEA.
Your friend,
Karen
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I love your hanging tabs and have been inspired to put them on some of my towels in the future.
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Hi Cindie, That’s wonderful! To tell the truth, I didn’t start out putting hanging tabs on towels. After I figured out how useful they are in our home, I raided my inkle and band weaving stash and added tabs to all my handwoven towels that didn’t already have one. 🙂
Karen
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Anonymous says:
Thank you again for teaching us a new weaving tip & and leading us in wisdom.
Psalm 90:12-17 “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom…..Let us, your servants, see you work again;
let our children see your glory……” (NLT) -
Liberty Stickney says:
Hi Karen,
Well I guess now I need to get an inkle loom! Maybe my Bob can make me one! Something new!!
Liberty-
Hi Liberty, I don’t think you would be sorry. I have enjoyed many years of weaving pleasure with my inkle loom. All those times when people asked what I was making… haha …nothing in particular.
Have a great weekend,
Karen
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Quiet Friday: Plattväv Towels and Thanksgiving Prayer
- By Karen
- November 25, 2016
- 10 Comments
Start to finish, the plattväv towels have been a handweaver’s joy. Narrow stripes on the warp beam are strangely invigorating. Does it take extra effort to wind a warp with many stripes? Yes–cut off one color and tie on a new color, over and over. But when the loom is dressed and ready to go, the weaving is a breeze. Being cottolin, the warp is fully compliant; and with a little care, the linen weft becomes a weaver’s friend. Plattväv, the icing on the cake, gives me a simple pattern weft that dresses up these plain weave towels. (And, yes, I am in the process of developing a kit for these plattväv towels.)
The joy of weaving is a blessing, as is the joy of friendships across the miles. Thank you for walking this journey with me.
Thanksgiving prayer: Thank you, Lord, for everything.
May you overflow with blessings and reasons for giving thanks.
Thankful for you,
Karen
10 Comments
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Hi Karen,
These towels are just beautiful. Thank you for all the work you do to help us with our weaving. Happy Thanksgiving my friend!-
Hi Liberty, Everything is more enjoyable with friends! Thanks for your sweet encouragement.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Karen
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Martha says:
Love the photo of the towels rolled up- very interesting to view. Beautiful work as always.
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Hi Martha, The linen is predominant in these towels, and linen begs to be rolled. I had fun playing around with them to take pictures.
Thanks for your kind words!Happy Thanksgiving,
Karen
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Anne says:
I will definitely be interested win the kit! Beautiful!
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Hi Anne, I’m glad to hear that you are interested in the kit. Thanks for letting me know!
Karen
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The towels are lovely. I too will be watching out for kit information.
I’m wondering if hemp would be worth a whirl in place of linen?-
Hi Theresa, I’m excited about putting the kit together. It’s good to know you are keeping an eye on it.
I have never woven with hemp. From what I’ve heard, it weaves much like linen. So I’m certain it would work for this.
I love the Bockens and the Borgs Swedish linen, so I haven’t branched out much in that regard.Happy weaving,
Karen
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Hi Christine, Thank you so much!
If you’re interested, there are a couple of these towels in my Etsy shop, as well as “Workshop in a Box” kits, where you can weave these towels for yourself.
All the best,
Karen
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Almost Forgot the Hanging Tabs…Again
- By Karen
- November 18, 2016
- 9 Comments
I was ready to hem the plattväv towels. But then, I thought of one more thing–I need a woven band for the hanging tabs! Since the towels have black borders, I decided to weave a simple band in black cottolin, with a single white dotted line down the center. I measured the little warp, put it on the band loom, and quickly wove it up.
Single white thread produces dotted white line in the woven band.
I love the classy black band with the white dotted line. However, I don’t love it with these towels… Too wide, and too… black. It’s going into my band stash box. Someday, when I least expect it, I’ll find this band in the box; and it will be exactly what I need at the time. So, I started over at the band loom this morning, and wove a new band.
Second chances are possible with a Glimåkra two-treadle band loom. It doesn’t take long to weave a second band if the first one doesn’t work out.
Ready to be cut into hanging tabs for the plattväv towels.
Hem, turned twice to the back of the towel, is pressed and ready to be stitched. The ends of a coordinating hanging tab will be stitched in the seam. The black woven band is stashed away for future use. The narrower gray band fits the style of the towels.
Joy is ignited by giving thanks. Gratitude changes your outlook. Instead of seeing the black band as a setback, it’s a gift for the future. The gray band is a reminder to be thankful for second chances. To whom will we give our thanks? To our looms? No. To each other? Yes. And to our Maker who gave himself for us? A resounding, joyful yes.
May you continuously be thankful.
Thankful for you,
Karen
9 Comments
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ellen santana says:
beautiful towels. i recently read an article about antique handwovens that she found that towels that had a hanging tab on them were quite worn on the opposite end of the tab. maybe if you put tabs on both sides they would get won equally. es
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Hi Ellen, I never would have thought of that! That’s very interesting and good to know. I’ve seen some towels with the tab on the side – maybe that would help with the wear, too.
I will have to give this some more thought…
Karen
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Ruth says:
Thank you for your beautiful post. Quick question: do you finish your hems by hand or machine? Happy weaving, Ruth
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Hi Ruth, I like to hem my towels with the sewing machine. To me, that seems the most reliable way for the hems to stay in place through years and years of washings. I did hem the table square (not shown) by hand. I don’t expect it to go through many washings, and I wanted the hem stitches to be invisible.
I love the look of hand-hemmed towels, and the craftsmanship it shows. And I have friends who always hand hem their handwoven towels. I admire them for it.
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Nanette Mosher says:
Could you post a photo of your whole band loom, with heddles and maybe a warp with something to show its relative size? I have a couple of looms for bands, one very antique and the other an inkle, but neither seems as quick and easy as yours seems to be. I’m really impressed that you didn’t just “make do” with the black; certainly the grey is an improvement and perfect. Will be interested in your answers to the other questions also. N.
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Hi, Nanette, You can see pictures of the whole band loom, and a video that shows how I weave on the band loom at this link: Quiet Friday: Band Loom Warping and Weaving. I certainly did have a dialogue with myself about “making do.” The perfectionist in me won the discussion.
Happy weaving,
Karen-
Your “perfectionism” will be my goal! N.
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Curious about the bobbin/shuttle you’re using with the band loom. Where do you get them?
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Hi Sherri, My husband made the band shuttle for me. A cardboard quill, cut to a small size, works as well.
Karen
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Skinny Inkle Band
- By Karen
- May 6, 2016
- 6 Comments
This is the narrowest inkle band I have ever made! With thirteen ends of fine 16/2 cotton, I get a very skinny ribbon. I brought my inkle loom with me to the Texas Woodcarvers Guild Spring Round-Up. This gives me something to do at the “Conversation Table” while Steve attends wood carving classes. Some ladies have their crochet, some have their knitting, and I have my inkle.
Steve making progress with his farm scene relief carving.
The inkle loom is a conversation piece, to be sure. Inquiring people stop to look and ask questions. Many think it looks complicated. “It’s a lot simpler than carving a piece of wood,” I say with a smile.
Warp is close to the maximum length possible for this inkle loom. Off the loom, the band measures about 2 1/2 yards (2.25 meters).
Finished skinny inkle band, with a dime for scale.
Seek the Lord; seek His strength. Walk in the Lord’s strength. When this is your habit, your continual mindset, life’s struggles seem less complicated. Down shed – shuttle – up shed – shuttle. Repeat. Keep going to the end.
May you have the strength you need.
Truly Yours,
Karen
6 Comments
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Laurie Mrvos says:
Steve’s carving is very impressive! And I love that tiny inkle band. What kind of inkle loom do you have? Thanks for the reminder that I can take my inkle loom with me when I am at family gatherings and the like, though a smaller loom might be in order.
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Hi Laurie, the narrow band caught the eye of someone who carves dolls and makes clothes for them. She bought the band from me!
This inkle loom was handmade by someone. I’ve had it for a long time. I think it is similar to Schacht inkle looms. I have used this loom to weave many inkle bands while riding in the car on long trips.Karen
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Karen – It’s wonderful that you were able to sell the band to someone who will put it to immediate use.
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Joanna says:
That’s a really sweet little band!
My barely 4-yr old granddaughter really wants to weave. She’s figured out the two treadles on the band loom and can often be found inside the big Glimåkra. I’d like to set up a little loom for her, what do you think, rigid heddle or inkle?
Your meditation today came at a time when it was sorely needed. Thank you.
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Joanna, It seems like the inkle loom would be easiest for a young weaver. The sequence of moves has fewer steps than with a rigid heddle loom. Sounds like a fun endeavor!
I’m very glad that the meditation thoughts came at the right time for you.
Blessings,
Karen
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I can’t guess what the wooden pieces are for. They remind me of several times when I purchased a used loom from someone, and there were several wooden or metal pieces that came with it that neither they nor I knew what they were for. I am glad you know what these are for, and I am looking forward to finding out!
Hi Lynette, Yes, you will see… These pieces have a unique and very specific purpose.
Karen