Getting Dressed to Weave
- By Karen
- October 30, 2018
- 10 Comments
I want to wrap up in this cozy throw already. But I need to weave it first. This is an undulating twill throw that I am making for sweet Lindsay, one of my daughters-in-law. Of course, I am including enough warp to make a small throw of my own.
Four chained bouts. The 8/2 cotton warp is pre-sleyed, and the back tie-on bar has been placed through the loops at the end of the warp.
Every step of dressing the loom is fascinating. I easily get immersed in the enjoyment of the process. All the while, I’m dreaming of the finished work.
Warping trapeze is in place at the front of the loom. Ready to beam these soothing colors onto the warp beam.
Warp is beamed. Warp ends are counted into groups of 32 ends each, for efficiency and accuracy in threading. This will be threaded for undulating twill on eight shafts.
Dressing the loom leads to the making of cloth. Dressing our lives leads to the making of good character. Prayer is of utmost importance in dressing our lives. Prayer is not a single step in the process, but a posture of faith throughout the process. Earnest prayer reaches God. The power of prayer is not in our words, in the threads we express, but in the Grand Weaver. He receives our humble threads and weaves them into his will to bring about his beautiful cloth. Fascinating, isn’t it?
May you dream as you dress the loom.
Prayerfully,
Karen
10 Comments
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No Hurry at the Little Loom
- By Karen
- September 25, 2018
- 6 Comments
I hope you haven’t forgotten about this sweet little loom at our Texas hill country home. It is refreshing to be able to start right back up and weave another placemat. This is a breeze, even with two double-bobbin shuttles. Color and weave brings plenty of design play. Over the weekend I was able to squeeze in enough weaving time to finish one more placemat.
New placemat begins. Two red picks will become the cutting line that separates placemats.
Peaceful setting for unhurried weaving.
There is no hurry or urgency with this project. Other events, transitions, and necessities have taken precedence the last few months. It’s nice to have a ready loom that doesn’t hold a deadline. Simple two-treadle plain weave during a transitional season is a welcome respite.
Two doubled-weft picks of dark coral make a line of contrast in the color-and-weave cotton placemat.
Faith is trust. It’s the simple framework we long for when life gets complicated. Trusting the Lord is like knowing what to expect when you throw the shuttles, yet still being pleasantly surprised as you see the fabric form in front of you. His grace removes the hurry and the worry. We find his grace through faith. And isn’t that exactly the respite we need?
May you have a break from hurry and worry.
Happy weaving,
Karen
6 Comments
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Hi Lynette, I write about things I need to hear. So you and I have this in common. The Lord is so good to meet us where we are.
Love,
Karen
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There is beauty in the simple to do and the complex. In the cottage pudding and the gingerbread construction. In the purity of the weave in the dish towel and in the detail of color and stitch in the lizard tapestry. The building of a submarine and the weeding of a bean patch.
I think being able to see the beauty in our daily work is a gift from God. Of course, the occasional WOW!!! is welcome.
Blessings,
Nannette
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Hi Nannette, Thanks for the reminder to see beauty in the simple to the complex. I agree, it’s a gift from God to see it.
All the best,
Karen
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Weave Beyond Your Momentum
- By Karen
- September 21, 2018
- 4 Comments
Do you remember that I said the background is less interesting to weave? I take that back! Blending these colors and forming the shapes is no less interesting than weaving the lizard. The green anole is the featured subject, filled with detail and many minute color changes. Weaving that lizard was a skill stretcher! But as I continue, I am weaving details of a different kind. The background is a log, not easily recognizable. It’s like looking at wood grain patterns through a magnifying glass. I’m hopeful everything in the final image will fit together when we see it from a distance.
Color, shading, and texture work together to make the surface appear uneven. Some areas look as if they are raised, and others, especially the dark places, look like they are indented.
After about three more warp advancements, the lizard and his green toes will be nowhere to be seen.
Little by little…
Standing on a chair, I get a view of the tapestry in the direction it will hang. This is only one slice of the tapestry image, but it helps me imagine what the finished piece will be like.
Continue. I don’t want to lose momentum just because I finally made it through the hardest part. Keep going, being faithful to what you know to do. Faithful to what you know is true. Don’t be fooled by compelling, convincing, and subtle messages that divert from the truth. Continue walking by faith, trusting the outline, the cartoon, that the Grand Weaver prepared for us. It will all fit together when we see it from heaven’s eternity. That’s real hope.
May you keep your momentum.
In faith,
Karen
4 Comments
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Michele Dixon says:
Love this piece you are working on, but more then that, I love your message. Thank you.
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Hi Michele, Thanks for letting me know this touched a chord with you.
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Elisabeth says:
What a fascinating project! The shapes, textures, and colors combined with your dedication and presence in the process…so beautiful!
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Hi Elisabeth, It does seem fascinating to me, too! I’m amazed that thread and yarn can make these images.
Thanks,
Karen
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Tapestry at Full Snail Speed
- By Karen
- September 18, 2018
- 6 Comments
I am determined to have this off the loom before it’s time to move again. I know exactly how many “weaving days” I have left in this apartment. Steve’s retirement is just around the corner. His last day at work will be our last day here. And I know exactly how many centimeters I have left to weave on this piece. We already moved the loom once in the middle of this tapestry. Once is enough! I intend to make significant weaving progress every single day.
My measure tape shows that I have woven 80 centimeters. I will cross the finish line when I reach 125 centimeters.
Now that the image of the lizard is finished all the way to his toes, no more pretty green, blue, or red butterflies. I am removing anything that clutters my focus. Full (snail) speed ahead!
Lizard’s foot tries to grip the breast beam. There is no longer a need for butterflies in the lizard’s colors. Only the background log remains.
All the green, blue, and red butterflies have been removed. A simple color palette remains–white, yellow, tan, gray, brown, and black.
Faith is that kind of determination. Faith is more than thinking you believe something or someone. It’s pouring yourself into pure-hearted focus to trust fully in God. Faith is being so convinced that Jesus is the answer that you will stop at nothing to reach him. Where there’s that kind of will, there’s a way.
May you reach your most-pressing goal.
Your speedy snail,
Karen
6 Comments
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Joyce Lowder says:
Beautiful description of faith! Our strength comes from God and He helps us to persevere as we move toward the goal. TRUST is the fuel that keeps us forging ahead. God bless you as you reach this goal…and others, ahead for you. 🙂
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Good morning, Joyce, Well said! Trust is the fuel, and even that is a gift from God.
All the best,
Karen
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Good morning Karen,
~ 2/3rds of the way complete with most of the kinks worked out. Nice place to be in. A firm foundation established. Everything in place to complete your tapestry.Kind regards,
Nannette
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Good morning Nannette, Thanks for the positive outlook! That’s always the best view of things.
All the best,
Karen
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Annie says:
I hope the determination to reach your goal will not rob you of the joys of weaving, Karen. I can’t believe how the time is flying and how fast the move is coming. I know you looking forward to it, though.
Thank you for sharing your rag rug process at the WOW meeting. I learned a great deal. I have your handout with my notes to reference when make my next one.
I have no doubt that you will reach your goal.
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Hi Annie, It will take a lot to make me lose my joy in weaving. This tapestry weaving is a true pleasure, and when I’m at the loom I lose track of time and everything else. Unless something totally unexpected happens, I’m sure to meet my goal.
I’m happy to hear you benefitted from the rag rug demo. I hope I get to see your next rag rug!
Thanks friend,
Karen
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Band Loom Time!
- By Karen
- September 7, 2018
- 4 Comments
Before I can hem these new towels, I need to make some hanging tabs. Band loom time! Making a warp for the band loom is one way to use up some of the weft on quills that didn’t quite get emptied when weaving the towels. Of the four colors in the towels, I am using aqua, poppy, and orchid for the hanging tabs. The bright marigold, my favorite of the four colors, may bring too much attention to itself, so I’m leaving it out. A hanging tab must be a stable and firm loop that becomes a pleasing part of the towel.
Towels, before wet finishing, are spread out with the thread colors on top. I am trying to determine which colors will work together in woven hanging tabs for all four towels.
Eleven ends are just enough for weaving a narrow band. (The two ends in the center are doubled in the heddle and counted as one.)
Simple symmetrical design with aqua, poppy, and orchid colors. To use as hanging tabs for towels, the band is cut into short pieces, about ten centimeters (four inches) each. Each cut tab is then sewn into the hem of a towel.
Established. Stable (root word of e-stabl-ish) and firm. That’s how important our faith is as we walk through life. Everything hangs from it. So it must be woven carefully and stitched in securely, a pleasing part of who we are. Stable and firm in faith as we live for the Lord—that’s a beautiful way to live.
May your finishing details be pleasing.
With you,
Karen
4 Comments
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Laura says:
Your towels are beautiful. Love the little bobbin you are using. Do you mind telling me where you got that from? Love all your posts.
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Hi Laura, Thank you! My husband carved the little band loom shuttle for me. You probably know that you can use a short cardboard quill for band weaving, but I will email the specs of the little shuttle to you in case you or someone you know wants to carve one.
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Thank you for sharing the design and craft process for finishing the beautiful towels. So true is the need for a firm foundation in life. Nannette
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Hi Nannette, All we humans tend to wander off course if we don’t have a firm foundation in life.
All the best,
Karen
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Copyright © 2019
There is something soothing about dressing a loom. I can’t wait to see the weaving begin.
Hi Beth, I agree! Dressing the loom is soothing. Maybe it’s because the process is systematic and dependable.
All the best,
Karen
I agree- I enjoy the entire process. I think you have to or you wouldn’t continue to weave year after year!! “ you must be warped to weave” .
Hi Maria, Yes, maybe that’s the appeal for those of us who are drawn to handweaving – the enjoyment of process, of being part of making something from beginning to end. Your weaving is so beautiful. It’s good to know you enjoy the whole process, too.
All the best,
Karen
Good Morning Karen,
I just came across your blog and what a joy. I am a beginner with a RHL and a 4 Shaft Table loom! There is nothing like creating while keeping our hearts and minds on the Creator. Happy Weaving with the one who created it all.
Hi Emonieiesha, It’s a joy to have you! Welcome! Yes, what a delight to keep our hearts and minds on our Creator.
Happy weaving,
Karen
Hi Karen, I love reading you warm and knowledgeable advice and have followed your weaving adventure these last few years. You even inspired my first rug attempt when you submitted your lovely rosepath pattern to Handwoven. Now I’m at a crossroad. I’ve been using my Schact standard but the draw to a Swedish loom has bitten me…. I await delivery of my Glimakra Julia countermarch next week. Here’s my question. Is there value in passing up the Glimakra set up direction in favor of Vavstugas Dress your loom the Vävstuga Way ? Thanks for any advice you can offer! Best regards, Sue
Hi Sue, I’m excited for you! You will really enjoy your new Julia.
The Glimakra set up and Vavstuga’s guide are completely compatible, as far as I know. I use Joanne Hall’s books and Vavstuga’s and get a great compilation of instructions. You can’t go wrong either way, or both! Don’t forget “The Big Book of Weaving.” It also has great set up (and weaving) instructions. The more, the merrier. 🙂
Very happy weaving,
Karen
How pretty the colors are.
My skills are not there yet. Dressing the loom requires a lot of detail that my creative brain wants to ignore.
Warping All By Yourself was my guide for dressing a loom. Front to back. I am glad you provided visual details. I will reference the next time I dress a loom and see if it speeds things up.
About a month ago I went to the high school craft fair in Crivitz, Wi. There a woman selling the most beautifully crafted rag rugs I’ve ever seen. Nothing fancy, but even edges and beautifully chosen colors.
She lives back in the woods in the home she shared with her late husband, south east of Green Bay and weaves. No business cards.
I mentioned your website. She is the last hold out not on line. Her world is edged by north eastern Wisconsin. Next year I will look for her again at the Crivitz high school autumn craft fair. But earlier. The bake sale was sold out.
I will miss your twice weekly posting. Enjoy the ride.
Nannette
Hi Nannette, I understand what you mean about your creative brain. My brain has trouble holding details, too.
Having a system with specific steps helps me. I don’t try to remember the steps. I have written down the steps and keep that step-by-step list in front of me every time I warp the loom.
Those old time rag rugs are wonderful. I have two that a friend of my grandmother made in a small country town in Missouri back in the ‘50’s.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Karen