The Weavers School

I spent last week at the Weavers School in Coupeville, WA. What a beautiful place, and I learned so much!!! I learned some basics of weaving, like the proper way to wind a bobbin. More importantly I learned to look at blocks in weaving, and from a block design how to substitute in different weave structures, and how to figure out all the pieces (threading, treadling and tieups) needed to weave it. I wove samples in 6 different weave structures, learning how to tell if I had the right beat. I met a bunch of wonderful weavers and had a very good time. Photos are here, most with notes in the info field. I expect to clear my looms soon and start working on something I learned in class!

Placemats on the Gilmore loom

I feel in love with a new loom in class... I may or may not sell my larger loom and buy a new one. I came home and wove a bit to see how I felt, and the thing that annoyed me the most is advancing the warp. M had told me it was kitted out with the anti-spin kit but somehow it was still spinning. I had S take a look at the documents and there's a missing piece of wood! Gilmore is shipping a new one to me for the cost of postage, which is very kind of them, and S will put it on for me as soon as the placemats I mentioned in the last post are done. I'm about 10 inches of weaving from the end.

The failed alpaca blanket in the last post? I sewed together two parts of the scrap that I'd woven into a mug bag for guild meetings. I lined it with some marbled cotton I made years ago, and plan on using a card woven band as a strap. I think I'll need a tie to close it, so will try kumihimo. I should have it ready for the July meeting.

Mystic River continues, I'm about half way down the back. Apparently the pattern is Feather and Fan, not to be confused with Old Shale; this article explains the difference for any who are interested.

The real time sink the last two months has been the house.  We're doing a kitchen remodel as well as all kinds of yard things like tree and brush removal; it's felt like a slog but I'm hoping that things level out in the next few weeks so I can get back to enjoying my craft instead of just sneaking it in. And hope to be back to cooking...