As promised yesterday, here are some pictures of the first set of samples. None of these have been washed so bear that in mind.
There’s not much to show in the plain weave all cotton warp that isn’t evident in a later picture, but I’m quite intrigued by how the mixed-warp is weaving up. As I said earlier, I threaded this one without regard to order; whatever was closest got put through a heddle and that has resulted in an irregular set of stripes. I wondered about what would happen if two 20/2 threads were next to each other and whether or not I wanted to avoid that – but I was talked out of trying to do anything special to either avoid it or encourage it.
It’s really quite pleasing, no? The other thing to keep in mind is that the darker brown won’t stay that color. Rather, it’ll become a medium to deep green over time with washing. I can encourage that by finishing the fabric in a baking soda boil. I think I’ll see how it looks post normal machine washing before I decide whether or not to do that.
Again, close-in of the Bronson. From here, you can see the reed marks. They’ve relaxed just a bit, but there’s a lot of pebbling in the fabric and that leads me to re-sleying at 24epi. I’m half way through that task and plan to finish that today so I can complete weaving the sample. Since it’s for a top, it needn’t be as sturdy and a more balanced weave will be interesting.
I’m planning to put hands on some additional 11/2 (heck, I should call it 10/2 and be done) cotton that will keep these neutral browns. I think they’re just beautiful. I also like the bits of shine that ther 20/2 gives as it’s mercerized.
Cool! So, what do you mean by pebbling? I know what reed marks are, but I don’t know what pebbling is.
I definitely like the mixed-warp side better than the solid-color side in the plain weave. I’m not so sure about the lace – I think I need to see it washed, but to me, it looks a little too busy, although I wouldn’t want to spread out the spots too much more. Maybe half again farther apart?
Moar sampling, please!
“Pebbling” is my description for warp-faced fabric. The warp ends look like pebbles or stones pushed up against each other with little of the weft showing through. The close-up of the white plain weave side, IME, has this.
And I agree about liking the mixed-warp side better in plain weave as “fabric” but I’m not sure how I’ll like it as cloth for the finished garment. It’s really vertical and stripey (no kidding, right?) so I may weave it off in one of the colored 11/2 cottons as part of sampling.
And yes, MOAR sampling! I’m relieved that I can lay hands on more of this yarn so I’m not fussed at all on using it this way. Gonna get the samples done tomorrow and then it all gets washed. Woo hoo!
I agree about the mix of mercerised and plain cotton; I love the subtlety of designing with light/sheen as well as colour. And yes, I am designing, just in my head until I clear the zombies. Although it’s warmer today and there’s enough light that I could weave (the dining room is rather dark on gloomy days). I wonder – could you combine multiple weft yarns (ie three passes of the shuttle or three yarns per pick, if that’s the correct term) in some of the plain weave sections between the pebbles to change the spacing of the texture, either randomly or to make a calculated gradation? And how would those stripes (could be very subtle) change the appearance of the fabric?