Flopsy and her friend Mopsy (hidden behind the curry bush) are suggesting that gardening time will soon be competing with studio time.  Until then we are having fun painting warps, learning to spin and weaving scarves at our guild studio in the Train Station in Qualicum Beach.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Train Station and soon we will be busy planning our contribution to the celebration.  The celebration will take place on August 23rd.  If you are in our area come and join the celebration.  More information will be posted as the date draws near.








At our monthly meeting we were treated to a presentation by the "colour study group".  The group began by exploring basic colour theory then went on to consider designing with colour.  Recently members of the group have been using woven colour gamps to illustrate how threads crossing in different weave structures will alter the perception of colour.  After their presentation they challenged the audience to do some yarn wraps to explore colour combinations.

Cathy's painted scarf in bamboo yarn

Over the past couple of months guild members have been learning how to "paint" a warp with dye.  Many versions of painted scarves have appeared at monthly show and tell sessions.  They have been so popular that we set up one of the guild looms with a painted warp.

These two pieces were woven from the same warp by different weavers.  The warp consisted of mixed cellulose based fibres that work well with fibre-reactive dyes.  The bamboo scarf pictured above came from a different warp but the same dyes were used.





The red and the blue scarves were also woven on a painted warp.  The dye process is messy and requires a lot of preparation so it makes sense to dye several warps at a time.  The problem is we may not have a detailed plan for that warp so we need to improvise when the plan and the materials don't match.  In the case of these two scarves the clever weavers used solid stripes to get the required width and add a design feature.

 While scarves have been very popular some members have been exploring new areas.  We were treated to an example of "bead leno" a technique that uses beads to twist yarns during the weaving process so that an open but secure cloth is created.  The example shows how various weft materials alter the look and texture of the cloth.  Some areas are almost transparent.

And finally we have a lovely reminder of Christmas in this hand towel with the border of trees.  I think they must be the Douglas Fir trees that are so common in our area.