Weaving and Spinning in Colour

 

  Colour is often the first thing that attracts us to a piece of fiber art whether it is handspun yarn, a knitted item or a woven creation.  Texture and pattern are fundamental to the overall design of a piece but if we are not attracted to the colour of the item we may never look close enough to appreciate the finer points.  The photo to the left may look drap except for the bright gold center of the cone flowers but a closer examination would show curving lines of green, pink and dark purple in the background.

Even experienced weavers and spinners are continually exploring colour in their works.

 

Colour has special challenges for those that work with fiber and yarn.  We cannot mix pure colours on a palette or obliterate an undesirable colour spot by painting over it.  We work with dyed materials and have to content with variability including dye lot variation in commercially prepared yarns, natural dyes that have a high degree of variability or uneven take up in the dye bath you prepared yourself.  Variability of colour is charming in some situations but it can be a disaster in other situations.

  Weavers have to consider how the eye will see the colour resulting from the interaction of the warp colour with the weft colour.  The products from a single warp may look quite different depending upon the colour of the weft thread.  The structure will also play a role in the final colour as it can alter the relative amount of warp colour showing through the weft.  Linda's four towels are a great example of how the weft material alters the final look.  These four items are based on the same warp.

In the blanket, the lovely multicoloured warp is altered by the dyed blue weft and twill structure.  The bright warp peaks through in places to give the piece greater depth.

 

 Spinners come the closest to mixing paints when they blend fibers with a carder to achieve a final colour.  They also have the ability to vary colour along the length of the yarn as they spin it and finally they have options to mix two different yarns when they ply them.  They can also change the reflective properties of the yarn by adding fibers that shine or sparkle.

 

The reflective properties of the yarn will alter how the colour is viewed and given the right combination it can lead to iridescence as with this scarf woven with a painted bamboo warp.  There are many variables to consider before you even begin to think about the overall colour design.  It is no wonder that colour is a popular topic for workshops and study groups.

Earlier this year, Mary challenged us to explore colour by creating a single piece of weaving that has a minimum of 3 warp colours and a minimum of 3 weft colours.  At our october meeting, she brought in an example, a double weave place mat with coloured "windows" and black "window panes".   It has inspired us to start a group to study colour in weaving. 

 

 

 

 

 

Children's Day at the Museum

The Qualicum Weavers and Spinners last demonstration of the season took place at the Qualicum Beach Museum and Archives this past weekend.  This event is primarily for children but as always curious adults were also entertained.  In keeping with the museum theme, the emphasis was on the past and how our great grand parents would have lived.
Our luck with the weather continued so the event was well attended and we remained dry (an important point here on Vancouver Island).

The space under the tent is quite small.  Once you include looms and spinners there is not much room for displaying items.  We used a clothes line to create a cozy space and to make room for hanging light items.  Here our tea towels separate us from the booth next door.  We also included a small table display of handspun yarns, knitted and woven items.  My apologies for the photo to the right as the light reflecting off the tent has altered the colours.



We introduced a number of youngsters to the arts of spinning and weaving.  Some showed great patience in mastering the drop spindle.

  Our demonstration loom has been so popular that we finished one warp and have started a second one.  The variegated yarn was a good choice for our latest crop of beginner weavers as they could see the colour bands forming.  Once they had mastered the simple concept of weaving tabby, they were fascinated by the patterns that Myrtle could create on her four harness loom.

As the afternoon progressed the temperature began to drop.  The children did not seem to notice but those of us who were less active began to feel chilly.  Mary solved the problem by wearing the lovely blanket that she had brought for the display.  In doing so she became a featured item in the display.  Many people were envious.  It looked so warm and cozy as well as beautiful.  I also think it looks very authentic for the museum setting.  Can you imagine how chilly it must have been before central heating and how important a warm blanket would have been.

 This event is our final display/demonstration of this year.  Myrtle has faithfully brought her small loom to the demonstrations and in spite of numerous distractions she has worked on a scarf for her grand daughter.  We have watched the black and gold creation gradually take place.  We are happy to report that she finally reached the end of the warp and took it off the loom.  The scarf is two-sided, with warp dominating on one side and the weft on the other.  It will be interesting to see after it has been wet finished.

 

  Our next event will be our annual show and sale, Elegant Threads, which takes place the last weekend in November at Rotary House in Qualicum Beach.  We hope you will come by and see our display, chat with our members and pick up a unique gift for someone.