Process Review: Fresno Canyon Small Tapestry
- By Karen
- November 26, 2019
- 15 Comments
The Park ranger had told Steve and me that if we were willing to drive six more rugged miles we would witness a spectacular overview of the Fresno Canyon that few people get to see. This is an opportunity we wouldn’t dare miss. And the park ranger was right. Oh, what a view! From this high point above the valley the view is phenomenal! I welled up with emotion as I looked over the glorious beauty of God’s creation.
The memory of that scene is in this small tapestry. Most of my small-tapestry weaving happens when we travel, where we make even more memories, which I store up in my heart. I pull from these stored treasures to weave tapestries that reawaken the fond memories.
May your memories become treasures.
Thankful for you! Happy Thanksgiving,
Karen
15 Comments
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Process Review: Drawloom Jewels
- By Karen
- September 24, 2019
- 6 Comments
It is exciting when Maverick walks by. Although he never comes in my drawloom studio, he does stop for a moment to look my way. You’ll see him in the slideshow video below. But what happens inside the studio is even more exciting, especially when it’s time for cutting off!
This is Tuna wool, so I expect some shrinkage, but how much? I take careful measurements before and after wet finishing. Besides the main piece of fabric that I’m using for a garment, I have two sample pieces. I can experiment with the samples before wet finishing my garment fabric.
Here are my findings:
Sample 1. Hand wash and air dry.
10% shrinkage in width; 13% shrinkage in length.
Sample 2. Machine wash (3 minutes agitation on a gentle cycle, with a short spin) and machine dry (low setting) till damp, finish with air drying.
13% shrinkage in width; 14% shrinkage in length.
~How to do the shrinkage calculations~
First measurement (on the loom) minus the second measurement (after washing and drying) equals the difference. The difference divided by the first measurement equals the percentage difference.
For example, 50 cm – 43.5 cm = 6.5; 6.5 / 50 = 0.13; 13% shrinkage.
The first sample fabric is softer than the unwashed fabric, but not as soft as I’d like. The second sample fabric is beautifully soft, like a nice warm sweater. So, with confidence, I wet finish the garment fabric—with great results. It’s perfect for the fall/winter vest that I’ll soon be wearing, made from this fabric!
Enjoy this photo show of the drawloom process.
May you enjoy the process you’re in.
Happy Weaving,
Karen
6 Comments
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Betsy says:
Wow, that’s going to make a stunning vest!
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Hi Betsy, Thank you! I’m hopeful that it will become a favorite thing in my closet.
All the best,
Karen
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Good morning Karen,
You have been busy. Love the colors interwoven to form the base colors. Blue and green ..
I had a handed down stash of ’70s yarn. Scratchy and thick. Not something good for anything but macrame planters. But I needed rug. It was crocheted and eventually washed. The result was the softest wool imaginable.
Wool can be surprising.
Nannette-
Hi Nannette, Isn’t wool wonderful in the way it surprises us? And it’s so forgiving to work with.
All the best,
Karen
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D'Anne P Craft says:
That will be a lovely warm vest, Karen. You are producing beautiful fabric on your new drawloom.
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Hi D’Anne, This drawloom is really a treat to weave on. Thank you so much for your kind words.
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Tried and True: Five Reasons Sampling Makes Sense
- By Karen
- August 13, 2019
- 12 Comments
Why sample? It means using more warp and weft. And it means waiting longer to start to the “real” project. What do I gain from it, anyway? Is it a waste of resources and time?
I can’t imagine putting on a warp that didn’t have room up front for sampling. There’s more than one reason to put on sufficient warp to weave a sample. It makes perfect sense, especially if there is anything new or unfamiliar about your planned project.
Five Reasons to Add Extra Warp for Sampling
1 Space to play. I want plenty of room to play, and to practice techniques that are new to me.
2 Room to try out designs. By weaving a portion of my designs, I am able to determine what works, and what adjustments need to be made.
3 Warp for testing weft colors. Only when woven can I see the full effect of each potential weft color.
4 Time to gain a consistent beat. When I start the main project, I want to have woven enough to be able to “feel” how firmly or softly I need to move the beater.
5 The best reason of all! It’s always good to have enough warp on the loom that you can invite friends and family to enjoy some weaving time. …Before your main project is in progress.
May you give yourself room to play.
Yours truly,
Karen
12 Comments
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Joyce Lowder says:
Lovely, Karen! Your advice is well taken! Also love seeing your friends checking out the draw loom. 🙂
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Beth Mullins says:
Sample, sample, sample. I love to sample. When I need a break from big projects I’ll dress the loom with a narrow warps and play with new-to-me drafts. Great advice!
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Hi Beth, It’s rewarding to try out new things on samples. That’s where we get some of our best ideas for future projects.
Happy Weaving,
Karen
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Charlotte says:
It is lovely, visiting your Blog, today. There is a Casita gathering Feb. 12th on Lake Belton. If you and Steve could sign up, I think you would thoroughly enjoy it. We play games, at night. Have music (mostly guitars, ukuleles), enjoy potlucks. I usually spend a few minutes with Sarah in her Saori studio and then…we piddle. I can send you more information, if you think you might be free.
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Good morning Karen,
I’ve done samples in others textiles, but never considered samples in weaving. Must do. It would have been one less garage rug when weaving overshot.Thank you for your wisdom.
Nannette
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Hi Nannette, I know exactly what you mean. I have garage rugs, too. Haha.
All the best,
Karen
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Vivian says:
Ha ha ha! What a novel idea. What a delight that you invite friends and fa,ily to try your loom.
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Hi Vivian, I truly enjoy seeing others find the pleasure in weaving.
Yes, sampling advice is age-old.
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Gail Pietrzyk says:
A sample also gives you an opportunity to test finishing methods–especially if you are using some unlabeled mystery yarns.
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Handwoven Treasured Leftovers
- By Karen
- April 2, 2019
- 8 Comments
In my bin of handwoven fabric, most of the pieces are leftovers, like a short section from the end of a towel warp, or a colorful sampling of weft from the beginning of a warp. But a few of these woven treasures are good-sized pieces that can be used to make something. So, since I want to make a bag for my large Freja tapestry frame, I look through my selection of handwoven fabric pieces.
I find just what I need! Coming across these two significant lengths of fabric is like getting reacquainted with old friends. The meter of red and black cotton eight-shaft twill is something I wove in a Vavstuga class. And the blue cotton warp-printed yardage is fabric I wove to make a tiered skirt, a favorite garment that hangs in my closet. (See Quiet Friday: Handwoven Skirt.)
Treasures from the past come into today to bring value and meaning. Put treasures in your today that will add value to tomorrow. Everything can change in a day, so we can’t put our confidence in tomorrow. But every new day is from the Lord, who holds the future in his hands. Today is a gift. Live it fully. Who knows? Your joy today may be tomorrow’s treasure.
May you find treasures from the past.
Love,
Karen
8 Comments
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Great idea! Have a wonderful time!
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Hi Beth, We are having a great time in the mountains and desert this week at the state park.
Thanks,
Karen
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Anonymous says:
Very nice and inspiring!
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No moss is growing under your feet. Enjoy the moment. Enjoy the memories. All are a gift from God.
Nannette
PS.. The snow is leaving us and the leaves of the spring flowers are pushing through, and the squirrels ate the kale seeds I planted.
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Hi Nannette, It is always interesting to observe the changing of seasons. Here, where we are this week, we see cactus in bloom, desert bluebonnets (they will die off as soon as the temps reach 95 degrees), and red-tipped ocotillo everywhere. Dots of brilliant color on a backdrop of desert brown. The rugged and massive mountains declare the glory of God!
Love,
Karen
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I have so many scraps of my handwoven fabrics that I try to find uses for. In the process of moving now, I find there are far too many and I’ve bagged many to throw away. Sad! Enjoy Big Bend. It’s one of my favorite places.
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Hi Linda, It is sad to say goodbye to scraps of handwoven fabric. But the good thing is, you still get to enjoy the memories of all that time at the loom.
Big Bend is such a unique and remote place. At times, the terrain is such that it seems like it could be another planet. There is beauty all around, but it’s different. I’m glad to know you enjoy this place, too.
All the best,
Karen
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Quiet Friday: Threads of Love
- By Karen
- September 28, 2018
- 18 Comments
Talk about thick and thirsty towels! Double weave makes these hand towels thick. And the linen in the cottolin threads makes them highly absorbent. The colors are fantastic together. When our daughter Melody moves with her little family to Chile, she can set up her new home with these made-for-her towels. My love is woven into every single pick.
I have included two short little videos just for the fun of it. Enjoy!
This project started in my weaving studio in our Houston home, where I beamed the warp.
And then we decided to move! We sold the house and moved into an apartment. The big loom was dismantled, with the towel warp on the back beam. Then, we moved all the pieces to our Texas hill country home.
Recently, I spent a week there to finish dressing the loom and weave all four towels. Whew! (Here’s what I did that week: Testing Color Surprises with My Little Helper and Weaving Deadline)
I wove hanging tabs on my band loom. And I discovered that I could showcase both sides of the colorful towel if I stitch the hanging tab on the side of the towel, off center.
The towels are hemmed and pressed, ready to brighten the day!
May you put threads of love into everything you do.
Love,
Karen
18 Comments
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They are gorgeous!
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Pam says:
Those towels are gorgeous!!
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laura says:
Beautiful towels and such love went into them. I know your daughter is going to love them as much as she loves you.
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Hi Laura, It’s such a pleasure to weave something with the purpose of giving it to somebody special. I think she’ll be happy with the towels. 🙂
All the best,
Karen
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WOW…I’m blown away. Same warp. Same fill. Different sequence
.Entirely different results. All beautiful.Thank you for sharing the progression.
Nannette
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Hi Nannette, You’ve touched on one of my favorite aspects of weaving. Exploration! Every new towel is a chance to explore another design. It’s awfully hard for me to weave any two or more things exactly alike.
Thanks!
Karen
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Sumac says:
Beautiful! I’m always in awe of your weaving.
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Hi Sumac, You are so kind! I feel very fortunate to get to play with threads on a loom.
Thanks so much,
Karen
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Jen says:
Goodness, those are beautiful towels that exude your love in a very joyful way. Thanks for documenting your process so well and sharing your inspire pictures. The placement of the hanging loops does the trick of showing both sides off it a very neat way. So very wonderful.
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Hi Jen, Your thoughtful comments make my day! I’m glad you enjoyed the pictures. This is the first time I’ve tried putting the hanging loops off-center on the side, but it really worked for this.
Happy weaving,
Karen
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Janet Hageman says:
Just beautiful! When you pin your twill tape marker to the woven piece on the loom, do you unpin the beginning section of tape before it goes rolls around the beam?
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Hi Janet, Thank you!
I do not want the pins to go around the beam. I use just two pins, and “leapfrog” them as I advance the warp. Here’s the link to a post I wrote about it: Tools Day: Measured Weaving.
All the best,
Karen
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Kay Larson says:
Those are absolutely beautiful. You can’t help but smile when you look at them.
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Hi Kay, Thank you so much! I, too, think the colorful towels are very cheerful. 🙂
All the best,
Karen
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Robin says:
Beautiful!
Can I find directions to this pattern somewhere?
Thanks-
Hi Robin, Thank you! I’m glad you like it.
I modified a draft that is in “The Big Book of Weaving,” by Laila Lundell. If you send me an email through my “Get in Touch” page I will be happy to give you more information.
All the best,
Karen
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Copyright © 2019
This is beautiful, Karen! Such a creative way to display.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Beth
Hi Beth, Thank you! I like the way Steve designed it so that the tapestry almost floats in the frame.
Have a great Thanksgiving,
Karen
Awesome,Karen! What a wonderful way to use the talents God has given you to display His glorious creation! And, I agree with how perfect this great way is to display it. Love your photos. How about one with your smiling face in it sometime? 🙂
Hi Lynn! It’s fun to weave scenes like this. I’m so thankful for Steve’s constant encouragement.
Sure thing, I can put my smiling face on here. 🙂 Thanks, that’s a good request.
Love,
Karen
Beautiful!! Good design with the gift of color. I hope your heart sings with memory every time you look at it.
Happy thanksgiving!
Nannette
Hello Nannette, Yes, my heart sings with the pleasant memory, and it’s right where I can see it often.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours,
Karen
Happy Thanksgiving, Karen to you and your family!
What a blessing that you and Steve are able to meld your talents together to create such beauty.
Hi Annie, I’m fortunate to have someone to share interests with. It’s a blessing, indeed.
I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving,
Karen
Wow. What amazing textile shorthand, Karen. It’s all there, even for someone who hasn’t been there. I can almost smell the wonderful Texas blend of hot dust and baking evergreens perfuming the air and sense the vastness of the landscape. Just lovely.
Am I correct in thinking Steve’s frames make it possible to change out your tapestries? Do you rotate them to prevent sun damage?
Hi Joanna, You sure have a great description for someone who hasn’t been there!
Steve’s frame is not made for changing it out. I’m not sure any two of my tapestries are exactly the same size. Not many been mounted or framed. This frame has a sawtooth picture hanger on the back, and just hangs on a nail on the wall. This one is hanging on a wall that doesn’t get direct sun.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Karen
And a happy Thanksgiving to you and your family too. We have so much to be thankful for despite the crazy state the world is in.
Very nice, Karen and Steve! You’re two very talented people. Hope you will enjoy a lovely Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you, D’Anne! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family, as well!
Karen
Hi Karen,
I don’t know if you noticed: In the picture of your tapestry on the cement patio in front of your Casita, your tapestry seems to have a moon landscape in a dark sky. I had to take a long second look to realize that what I thought was a moon was in fact the tire to the Casita!
Great work! Your talent to recreate beautiful landscapes is definitely a blessing! You must take after our (heavenly) Father for your creative skills.
Linda
Hi Linda, I missed the moon landscape until you pointed it out. Interesting illusion!
Thanks for your sweet compliment.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Karen