First Threads

cloth bands from demo loom

Our small demo looms are very popular at public events.  They help us to explain  the process of making cloth and to answer questions about the pieces that we have on display.  They have visited care facilities, been to museums and fairs, taught weaving basics and entertained at children's events. 

Over the years we have acquired a collection of  woven bands that remind us of the fun we had sharing our craft with others.  The people responsible for creating these bands often have no idea how a loom works.  For most it is the first time they have thrown a shuttle across a warp and watched the threads intertwine row after row until a piece of cloth is formed.

The photos that follow are some of the "first threads" experience.

rags to knitting yarns

The participants range from the raging enthusiast to the perfectionist that worries about doing something wrong.  The former quickly gets into the rythmn of throwing the shuttle and beating the fell and weaves yards.  The latter is tentative to start and may experiment until the process "clicks".

raffia, glitz, cotton, slub

Some like to experiment with materials like rags, popsicle sticks, raffia, knitting yarns.  Others are attracted to textured yarns or exciting colours.

 

experiments with skips

Our bands were woven with no preconceived ideas about what is "right" or "wrong" and no experience so you can imagine we have some interesting results.  There are no "bad edges" but some interesting edge treatments.  There are no treadling errors but interesting experiments with plain weave skips.  

interesting edge treatment

  

design feature

 Variation in beat becomes bands of subtle weft colour stripes or open areas that create undulating waves that are semi-transparent.  

wave-like bands

  

peek-a-boo waves

experiments with thickness

Most of these examples are due to a lack of skill and experience.  A seasoned weaver would not be happy if they produced pieces like these.  But these are uninhibited pieces done with no expectations for perfection or knowledge of weaving "rules".  They spark some interesting design ideas.

Variations in beat or thickness can be used to deliberately create weft stripes, loops at the edges can create a frilly selvedge, skips can be placed at random to create dots of colour on a uniform surface, long weft skips can create texture and a dramatic statement on a uniform surface.  As the pull-in varies the shape of the piece changes.

Errors are still errors not design features but if you have mastered the fundamentals and are skilled at your craft you might take a lesson from these novices and consider breaking the rules for your next design.

Beginner Weaving Lessons  September 8,9,10.

If you have dabbled with weaving and would like to go further with a harness loom then you might want to take an in person course that covers the fundamentals.  Learning on your own can be a long and sometimes painful process.  The QWSG is offering 3 full days of  instruction on harness loom weaving.  Equipment and materials are provided.  For more information check the listing under WORKSHOPS

 

beginner mug rugs

Rigid Heddle For Fun

Family Day Qualicum Beach

 We ended May with one of our favourite out door events, The Qualicum Beach Family Day Celebration.  Our booth with demonstrations is popular with children and adults.  This year we gave participants a choice of trying their hand at spinning, weaving and braiding.

The small rigid heddle looms in the photo are ideal for this type of event.  They are easy for small hands to manipulate and clearly illustrate the basic principles of weaving.  Rigid heddle looms are not a new invention but they have become very popular in the last 10 years.  They can be quite narrow, almost toy like, as seen above, or they can be wide enough to make a tea towel or shawl.

rigid heddle scarf

  Rigid heddle looms are very versatile.  You can weave elaborate interlacements with one heddle and a pick up stick.  Add a second heddle and you have more flexibility than a 4 harness loom.  Rigid heddle looms are real looms not toys.

They are easier on an aging body.  Dressing the loom does not require you to bend in unnatural positions and climb under the shafts.  The loom can also be angled on a stand to reduce bending while throwing the shuttle.

Plus these looms are portable so you can weave in an RV, on the beach or at a guild meeting (like those knitters in the back row).

ribbon scarf

Many items woven on a rigid heddle feature, texture and colour rather than pattern.  The warping system is perfect for creating a mixed warp that blends different yarns, fibers and colours.  The design challenge is coming up with yarns and colours that play well together.  For an interesting detail you can add weft stripes at the beginning and end of a piece or possibly include a section of hand manipulated lace.     

variegated yarn and weft stripes

  

The studio is busy with interest groups, a pair of studio projects, and a blanket in progress on our big Fanny loom.  We have just finished our latest weaving workshop and the mentored spinning sessions are coming to an end.

recipe workshop

In lieu of a general meeting in June we are planning a pot luck lunch and member to member stash sale on June 24th.  

After that we will have a break from general meetings for July and August but interest groups and open studio days will continue.  Check out " guild events" for more information.