Last of the Lizard Toes
- By Karen
- September 14, 2018
- 13 Comments
Every time I advance the warp, more of the lizard disappears. After I finish the tips of these toes, the rest of the weaving will be background—the log on which the green anole is perched. The lizard is more interesting to weave than the log. But without the background, the lizard itself would be incomplete. It’s all part of the journey. Every bit of the picture is needed to tell the full story.
More than half of the tapestry is complete. Most of the lizard image is under the breast beam out of view.
More of the lizard disappears every time I advance the warp.
Only the tips of the lizard’s toes remain. After this, it is all background.
Log detail. I am enjoying the many opportunities for color blending and shading in the background portion of the picture.
Journey. We are on a journey. We see the scenery changing as we move from one point to another in our seasons of life. There’s the main focus, plus the background. All of which tells our story. Knowing that we never see the whole tapestry while it’s on the loom, let’s ask God to watch over our journey. As a request, not a demand. And then, express gratitude with joy as we see that we’ve indeed been granted safe passage.
May your journey be joyful.
Happy weaving,
Karen
13 Comments
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Ten Centimeters of Tapestry
- By Karen
- June 1, 2018
- 6 Comments
Slow weaving is even slower when a full week goes by since you last touched the loom. If only I could sit here and do this every day, hours at a time. But other responsibilities…and other looms call for my attention.
First ten centimeters of the tapestry is complete. Plastic baskets hold the wool yarn beside the loom, sorted by color and value.
Color blending is achieved by combining various colors and weights of wool yarn.
We don’t see much of the main subject yet. I am intensely eager to see a distinguishable image. I suspect you may be eager to see it, as well. But I know it’s coming, so I gladly pursue this adventure, one row at a time.
Elements of shading and texture in the beginning background of the four-shaft tapestry.
Tapestry is being woven from the side. So, this is the direction the tapestry will hang.
Gladly. We need strength beyond ourselves to endure and be patient—with gladness. Endurance and patience with a glad attitude is an indicator of maturity. Strength for endurance is one of the treasures that God supplies when we ask. And he reminds us that he sees the completed picture. And that it’s worth the pursuit. Aren’t you glad?
May you find patience for waiting.
Gladly weaving,
Karen
6 Comments
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Rachel Lohman says:
Karen, totally understand. Working on a plaid that takes changes often. As a newbie on the loom it is a test of patience to see the finished piece – like an expectant parent – excited and wanting the child to be born. Can’t wait to see your progress. Love the rich wools!
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Hi Rachel, That’s a great comparison – the patience of expectant parents!
These wools are fun to work with. I like the feel of them in my hands.
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Good morning,
My rosepath rag rug waits while the social events of May filled my days. Now it is the garden running rampant with the leap from spring to summer. … Patience. God certainly filled May with wonderful things…. baby shower, high school and college graduations, preparing for Memorial Day….
My loom is very patient.
Visually what you are sharing looks like a warm rug to be placed with honor in front of a fireplace…. I want to reach out and stroke the colors…. I look forward to your next posting of this mystery project.
Nannette-
Hi Nannette, Every day is filled with choices and priorities. Patience is often part of making the best choices.
Thanks!
Karen
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Joanne Hall says:
Hi Karen,
It is truly beautiful already.
Joanne
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Guest Weavers
- By Karen
- May 29, 2018
- 6 Comments
We finished another placemat over the weekend. We, meaning a few guest weavers – and me. I had a small tribe of eager weavers, aged eleven to seventeen. I didn’t give beginner work to these beginners. We did what was required for this color-and-weave project on the loom—double-bobbin shuttles, two (and sometimes three) shuttles at a time, two-pick stripes, advancing the warp, placing the temple, and more. Another placemat completed, with only one broken warp end along the way. I call that a win!
Quietly watching me, and taking in the details, this young weaver grasped the essentials, and began weaving in a graceful manner. After just a few minutes, Madison told me she could do this all day. That sounds like a budding weaver to me!
Sean is an attentive listener, closely following every instruction. He happily donned the weaving apron. And the Gingher snips on a woven band were hanging around his neck, ever ready to be used.
Jenson joins in to lend his observation skills while his brother does the weaving.
Ashley is someone who takes initiative. She enjoyed the challenge of learning something new, and quickly was weaving with very little assistance.
Isn’t it delightful to share what you enjoy, and then see the spark of delight and accomplishment on a young person’s face? This is another good reason to make and keep family friends.
May you share your delights.
Love,
Karen
6 Comments
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Julia says:
It is always fun to see the eyes of new weavers light up when experiencing for the first time the magic of making cloth! I’m curious about the weaving apron – can you speak about it some more?
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Hi Julia, Yes, It is fun to see the expressions when they see magic happen at their fingertips.
The apron? You’ve given me a great idea! I will write about the weaving apron on my next Tools Day post. For now, suffice it to say that the apron protects my clothes and protects the cloth on the breast beam.
Thank you!
Karen
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Beth Mullins says:
You’re making such a positive impact in their young lives. I’m also curious about the weaving apron. Does it hold magic? 😉
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Hi Beth, I like the idea of making a positive impact on the next generation. At the same time, I find that they are making a positive impact on me, as well.
Thanks to you and Julia, I know what my next Tools Day post will be—the magical weaving apron. 😉
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Joanna says:
I volunteered to demonstrate moderately hands-on weaving on an antique rug loom at a local history museum to school classes a couple of years ago. We get kiddoes from kindergarten through fifth grade. Before the first group I had some doubts about how it was going to go. Wow! Fantastic! I think more budding weavers are on their way and I’m excited for school to start in the autumn.
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Hi Joanna, It’s always great to see young people become interested in handweaving and other handwork crafts. That sounds like a fun loom to weave on, too!
Karen
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Not the Easiest Way to Weave
- By Karen
- April 3, 2018
- 6 Comments
I considered making a matching set, but at the loom I get an inclination to explore. Hence, no two placemats are alike. A change in the weft changes everything. New colors emerge! Slate and apple green on a coral warp become periwinkle and avocado. If you look closely, though, you can still see the underlying coral and camel stripes of the warp.
Second placemat uses red and orange in the weft. These colors work with the coral in the warp to bring out a distinctive color-and-weave effect in the design.
Three double-bobbin shuttles—this is not the easiest way to weave. I am carrying the colors up the selvedge, so it gets tricky when all three shuttles end up on the same side. Nevertheless, this is the joy of weaving a challenge. How and where to set the shuttles down, and which hand picks them up—ever aiming for efficiency. Newly-formed colors and technical pursuits—this is a handweaver’s thrill of discovery!
Beginning of the third placemat shows variation in pattern and color choices. Three double bobbin shuttles put my manual dexterity to the test.
Coral and camel warp stripes form the base of the design. Pattern variations are produced by varying the number of picks per weft color.
Imagine the thrill of discovery that awaits us in heaven! Love permeates heaven. Like a narrow-striped warp, love is written into the fabric. The environment there is love, where pride and selfishness don’t exist. Blending of colorful personalities will be such as we’ve never seen. All to the glory of our Grand Weaver. And how marvelous that through Christ we’ve been given everything needed to practice that kind of love here and now. Double bobbin shuttles, and all.
May you rise to the challenge.
Love,
Karen
6 Comments
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Ruth says:
Karen,
Thanks so much for the color show this morning. It is snowing once again up north and I am so ready for spring and color. The close up of your placemat makes my heart sing! And the double bobbin shuttles with their color are beautiful. Blessings to you and yours.-
Hi Ruth, These are indeed fresh springtime colors! Hopefully, you’ll see warmer weather soon.
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Liberty Stickney says:
Beautiful colors Karen! Geez, I have problems with 2 shuttles, someday I’ll make it to 3!!!
Libby-
Hi Liberty, Three shuttles is a little crazy. I may make it easier on myself for the placemats after this. I’m enjoying the colors, too!
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Elisabeth says:
I really like that they are all different but have the same warp (core). It’s almost llike human beings 🙂 They are all beautiful!
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Hi Elisabeth, I see it the same way. I think it will make an interesting set. Yes, humans are all made in the image of God. What could be more beautiful?
Thanks,
Karen
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What to Do about Weaving Errors
- By Karen
- January 23, 2018
- 10 Comments
I’ve been waiting for a bright sunshiny day to thoroughly examine this tightly-woven linen satin dräll fabric. Today is perfect. Fixing errors must be done before the fabric is washed, when the weave will become even tighter. I am looking for unwanted floats where the shuttle skipped threads, and for loops at the selvedges.
In my examination I did find an errant float and a few small selvedge loops. Let’s get started.
Tools:
- Blunt-tip needle. Sharp needle tip has been sanded to a rounded tip.
- Thread. Use the same weft or warp thread that is in the area needing repair.
- Good lighting. If the fabric has a complex structure, good lighting is essential.
- Magnification. I take a photo on my iPhone, and then zoom in to see the minute details.
How to Mend Skipped Threads:
1 Locate the error. Here is a long weft float.
2 Thread the blunt-tip needle with a length of the same thread as the float.
3 Following the exact under-over pattern of the weave, start one inch before the float and needle-weave toward the float. I lay my iPhone nearby, with the magnified iPhone photo clearly showing the weave pattern.
4 Needle-weave the correct path of the thread through the float area. Continue needle-weaving along the same thread pathway, going one inch beyond the float.
5 Check the front and back of the fabric to see if your stitches match the correct pattern of the weave.
6 When you are certain that the float thread has been accurately replaced, clip the float and remove it (or, leave it and trim it after washing). Leave two-inch tails on the replacement thread, and trim after wet finishing. (I leave the replacement tails so I can find and check the repair after it is washed. This also allows for shrinkage before trimming.)
How to Fix a Small Selvedge Loop
1 Locate the loop.
2 Using the blunt-tip needle, gently ease the excess thread to spread over four or five stitches inside the selvedge.
3 The thread that has been eased in (just above the needle) will completely smooth out in wet finishing.
What skipped threads and loops would be found if I were examined this closely? Would I leave them and hope no one notices? Or, would I allow re-weaving and cutting away? A negative attitude is replaced with a thread of thankfulness. A loop of complaining is eased back in. The result is joy. A thankful heart knows joy. When the fabric is washed, the errant floats and loops are gone. What remains is the woven fabric with lustrous threads of joy.
May you have a bright sunshiny day.
With you,
Karen
10 Comments
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Re-weaving and cutting away in life – what a great analogy.
I am fascinated by your snips (scissors). Are they surgical snips? Those curved blades! I’d love a pair of my own.
Here’s to a day full of joy!
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Hi Beth, Finding those personal flaws can be a little painful for me, but putting in a better thread is worth it.
These snips with curved tips work great! I found them at a vendor at the quilt festival in Houston a few years ago. I picked up another similar pair at a needlework shop a couple years ago.
Joy to you!
Karen
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Annie Lancaster says:
Good morning, Karen! I loved your analogy! The lazy part of me would think no one might notice because change is difficult. But then the good Catholic guilt takes over and I must do something about myself!
The same with corrections in my weaving. My first thought is will anyone really see that? But I can’t unsee it, so it must get fixed!
One thing I never knew though, was that the loopy selvedges could be corrected. Thank you for sharing this technique, Karen. I am always eager to learn how to improve and correct, though I sometimes have to do a bit of self talk first!
Enjoy the sun today.
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Hi Annie, The wonderful thing about grace is that someone greater than us does the fixing. He can see clearly what needs to be done.
You are right about not being able to unsee a flaw. If there is something I can do about it, I will. If it can’t be fixed, then, I will chalk it up to the reality of being handmade.
The loop I showed here would probably correct itself in the wash, but it wasn’t hard to ease in the thread, so I did.
Happy to have another day with sunlight!
Karen
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Mary Still says:
Beautiful piece and I like what you say at the end! Bless You!
Mary-
Hi Mary, It’s a true pleasure to have you drop in with such kind words.
All the best,
Karen
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Linda Cornell says:
You are a gifted writer as well as weaver. Thank you for sharing both!
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Hi Linda, It feels like a privilege to me to be able to weave and write and have someone like you show interest. Thank you!
All the best,
Karen
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Marion Darlington says:
Life is but a Weaving” (the Tapestry Poem)
“My life is but a weaving
Between my God and me.
I cannot choose the colors
He weaveth steadily.Oft’ times He weaveth sorrow;
And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper
And I the underside.Not ’til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Will God unroll the canvas
And reveal the reason why.The dark threads are as needful
In the weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has plannedHe knows, He loves, He cares;
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives the very best to those
Who leave the choice to Him.… as quoted by Corrie ten Boom
Copyright © 2019
I really like all the texture you’re adding. This is going to be fabulous and I can’t wait to see it complete.
Good morning, Beth, I am hoping the texture will add dimension to the tapestry when viewed from a distance. I’m eager to finish so I can see the whole thing off the loom! About 50 cm to go…
Happy weaving,
Karen
I love your little saying at the end of each of your posts. Really makes me think We are all on our own journeys some good and sometimes bad but we do weave our own tapestries. Hugs and thanks for sharing your adventures.
Hi Laura, Thinking is good for us, isn’t it? Our life tapestries are very personal, but it’s sweet when we get to share a bit of each other’s journeys.
Thank you for sharing,
Karen
Amen.
Even when we can not remember all the details of our past tapestry, parts that are already rolled on the back beam, God does.
God speed,
Linda
Hi Linda, Good point! There are some things of our own history that we will never know or understand until the tapestry is unrolled.
Thanks for sharing,
Karen
All lovely—both the weaving and the positive outlook on life s events!
Thank you for sharing so openly!
Hi Michelle, I appreciate your kind thoughts. A positive outlook sure beats the alternative. 🙂
Thanks so much!
Karen
Hi!
He is waving goodbye! See you in a bit!
Hi Liberty, Ha ha ha! Yes, I believe he is going to take a nice long autumn nap for a few weeks. See ya later, Mr. Lizard…
Karen
Looking forward to seeing all of this lizard. So many beautiful parts.
Hi Gabriela, This is one of the most satisfying weaves I’ve had on the loom. I want to hurry up and finish, but I don’t want it to end. 🙂
Good to hear from you,
Karen