A quick drop-in now that I’m back from holiday to show a bit of the pre-Art Fair process. Part of getting to know the AVL is to use it as much as possible – and this latest batch of towels threw another tool into the tool box: the cloth storage beam. After weaving off about 3 yards of cloth, there was enough to reach to the back, and it meant I got to do this:
that’s the warp coming off the warp beam above and the cloth going onto the storage beam below. The storage beam has it’s own tensioning system so that as I advance the cloth it just winds on. And, there’s only enough tension to keep the spring going – the actual tension on the just-woven cloth is delivered by the sandpaper beam. It’s all very clever; and exceedingly simple to use. Best of all, the rollers direct the cloth in such a way that my knees never interfere with it – a nice change from both the Gilmore and the Baby Wolf (curse of being a tall person!).
This also being a long warp forced me to keep changing tie-ups and treadlings so that I didn’t lose my mind. I also tried different weft colors within patterns – all of which led to me discovering a lovely Color-and-Weave variation:
I absolutely love this pattern. I may just have to keep one of these for myself. Or, I’ll have to make more.
That said, it’s time to finish beaming the next warp (three sections to go) – it’s a variant of this warp in all browns/naturals. Part of that is clearing the stash, part is to have more color options within a pattern group.
Once Fair is behind me, it’s time to get serious about the cotton shirt and also to start thinking about this:
I have a few thoughts about how to incorporate this into cloth – and I’m hoping that Sara and Deb will have more when I see them next month. Next month! Where does the time go?
Oh, that color-and-weave is gorgeous! Can I see a close-up? And you hopped right back to it after hiking; I didn’t expect a new post from you till Sunday at the earliest (and I should post the coat band, now that it’s off the loom, come to think of it). The time goes ever so quickly, doesn’t it? I was whining on FOAY about not having enough time; I keep coming to the conclusion that only worthwhile things are worth doing, but worthwhile things usually take a long time. Sigh…. And today a friend and I are wallpapering my dining room and hallway, so no weaving for me today, alas.
Maybe we should both try using that lichen photo for inspiration and see what we come up with – after Art Fair, probably after Weftember (for which I’ll be gone two of the four weekends)?
Don’t tell anyone but those pictures were from before the hike – they were lying in wait for my return. That warp was finished (FINISHED!) the day before we drove up to the mountains.
Yesterday I finished beaming the sections and I sat down and tied the new warp to the old. I had lots of time to think while climbing last week and that made the process rather quick. I think it’s now about the same time demand as threading/sleying so I may continue to use it.
And yes, I’ll definitely take a better picture of the color and weave. It was a happy accident – as so many of my weaving adventures are. Dead simple and the fun comes in the warp rather than the weft so it’s super quick.
Lichens. Yes, lichens. That kept my mind busy on my run yesterday and I assume it will today, too! (and tomorrow – ye gods, I have to run 18 miles) Let’s noodle on this and see if it can be our Big Finish. And, have I mentioned how much I love the fact that we’re doing this? I so appreciate your feedback and encouragement. Thanks for being willing to play along.