Weaving Some Simple Borders
- By Karen
- May 7, 2019
- 9 Comments
I need to free up this little loom in order to put on a different warp that has a deadline. So, now that I have returned from my travels, my attention is going to these towels. My friend is letting me weave this lovely cottolin warp that she got at Vavstuga.



Straight twill, point twill, broken twill, and now “rick-rack.” And after that, a couple towels in plain weave. Everyone who weaves this Vavstuga towel kit and follows the instructions will end up with the same six towels. True? Not necessarily. I like to step off the expected path. That is why I vary the weft and include some type of simple border design on each towel.




There is a wide path that is crowded with many people. It’s the common and expected way of life. It’s where you stay if you want to fit in with everyone else. But if you search for it, you’ll find an uncommon path. It’s narrow; and few find it. It’s the path of life that is found in Jesus Christ. Stand in the narrow path. That is where your unique features will show up as border designs that set you apart as a cherished child of God.
May you be set apart.
Happy weaving,
Karen
9 Comments
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What a timely post this is! I have a long striped towel warp on that I was getting seriously bored with after only two towels. Right now it’s 4S/2T in a straight draw, but I was mulling over putting more treadles on and fiddling with the tie-up. Thanks for helping me decide (I’m prone to dithering). Bless you, Karen.
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Your posts are so inspiring! How do you use the grosgrain ribbon? as a measuring device? Like a cash register tape bit not as bulky and fragile.?
Thanks ,in advance ,for your help in explaining that process!Kris
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Welcome home, Karen! I am sure that you missed your looms! Were you able to finish the tapestry from Big Bend?
I also like to try different tie ups or striping when I make towels. I like the combination of striping and pattern you have with those colors. -
Five sentences, so precious, choose the narrow path!
Thank you and Blessings.
Linda
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Thank you, Karen, for such wise words. I had been questioning my decision to simplify my life. While simplification is good for contemplation it can be a bit lonely. Weaving provides those moments for contemplation and it is encouraging to hear from someone who is like-minded. To know Christ’s narrow path is well worth it. Then I realize I’m not so lonely after all. Indeed, thank you for the encouraging words.
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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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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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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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Weaving Hearts
- By Karen
- March 5, 2019
- 12 Comments
Pulling the draw handles for each four-thread unit of weaving is like doing counted cross stitch on the loom. I enjoyed cross stitch in the 1980’s and I am enjoying this drawloom version now. Very much. I started this Heart-Shaped Baskets table runner on Valentine’s Day—a fun way to celebrate the day!


Like weaving on any floor loom, I want to have consistency in my beat and in my selvedges. Inconsistencies in these basics can detract from the drawloom imagery of the final cloth. The main thing is to keep paying attention. And keep joyfully pulling those draw handles to create more hearts of love.


Grace is a gift of favor, not an earned reward. Forgiveness is the giving of grace. And gratitude results from receiving grace. Grace makes us graceful. Giving and receiving grace with consistency is what we’d like to see in ourselves. That’s when the love of God, in whose image we’ve been made, is most clearly seen in us. So we practice what we know to do. And pay attention. And keep joyfully weaving a heart of love, by God’s grace.
May you be grace – full.
Gratefully yours,
Karen
12 Comments
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I have seen that draft in the book. It is so Beautiful on your loom!! I hope to convert my loom for drawloom someday. Enjoy!
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Very nice Karen! Looks like you are having a great time 🙂
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I am amazed by what you are able to do with your draw loom, Karen! Not only is this heart pattern delightful but also the other towels I can catch glimpses of. I definitely understand why you wanted a draw loom and I am so happy that your dream came true.
You are the most graceful woman I know, Karen and a wonderful inspiration as a Christian and a weaver.
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The more I see draw loom weaving, the more I start to think that I need a draw loom! For now, I will have to relegate it to a “one day” possibility and appreciate the looms I already have.
Your hearts are beautiful! -
Good afternoon Karen,
There is so much to learn. Thank you for leading.
Your prayer on grace touched my heart.
Nannette
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Isn’t it fun?! I love playing with my drawloom!
Beautifully said, Karen! And great idea! 🙂
Hi Joyce, Thank you! This is an idea that has been brewing for quite some time. I’m glad to get it on the loom.
All the best,
Karen
Fantastic idea!
Would love to see pix of the finished wash cloth. Perhaps a future post?
Hi Robin, Thanks for giving your thoughts! I will be happy to show pictures of the wash cloths when they are finished! I’ll be as surprised as you at the results. I expect to get 10 wash cloths from this warp, so hang on, it may take a while.
Happy weaving,
Karen
An album quilt I made for my daughter’s wedding was cobbled together of the obvious dress fabric from her childhood, but also needle work from her ancestors. Textiles too fragile to use as originally designed, but reinforced and added to the beauty of the quilt designed for the next generations to come.
One block included a piece of weaving done on a home made loom by my husband’s grandmother.
Leftovers from earlier generations kept to build something useful and beautiful.
Nothing goes to waste in God’s world.
Hi Nannette, Your quilt sounds fantastic. What a wonderful gift, full of meaning.
“Nothing goes to waste in God’s world.” Amen!
All the best,
Karen
Beautifully said!
Hi Linda, I appreciate you!
Karen
Is that a plainweave hem? Does it contract the same as the waffleweave?
Hi Laurie, Yes, I am doing a plain weave hem. I am sure it will not contract the same as the waffle weave. I expect the hem to look a bit wavy. Since this is my first time to do waffle weave, I’m waiting to see what it does for sure. 🙂
Happy weaving,
Karen
I cannot believe, yet I must! The timing of your post – waffleweave wash cloths to my drawdown for the next project – waffleweave wash cloths! Isn’t this fun?!?!?!
Mine will be 12/6 seine twine. The warp on the drawloom is nearly tweaked for a new run of Casita bath towels – Cottolin. The wash cloth warp will go on Julia once my Marines have come and gone. Also, for the Casita.
The Inkle loom is warped for the hang loops…it’ll go to the mountains with us.
Oh how I love the direction of our path and sharing it, such a sweet gift!
Hi Charlotte, How fun! And believe it or not, yesterday I finished the drawdown for my next project on the Standard – Cottolin bath towels! Wow, you and I are really in sync.
Love,
Karen
HI!
Can’t’ wait to see them. Love how everything finds its purpose.
Hi Betty, With purpose there’s hope. And we all need hope. I’ll keep you posted on the progress and finishing of these washcloths. Stay tuned…
All the best,
Karen