Tapestry - Texture



I am meant to hang length ways with red at the top, but not able to at present.



Red wool and knitting plastic clear / sparkly are what I used in this hanging.

The blending from red to clear was part of my idea and if it had been rectangle

that would be the result. But shape is part of the piece. 





The two differing textures is interesting for me.


This is a piece that seemed to just come about when I put on a warp. I decided to do different lengths, angles for the edges in three sections. I used the method of four selvages method which I find I'm getting better at finishing edges. The act of tapestry weaving gives myself time to explore shape and texture along with experimenting on ideas (some seem strange, but always what about this or could I use that) on many levels. It also brings out enjoyment of making by the way Tapestry is a longer process.

Danger Tape Wear

 This outfit is one I made a few years ago and thought it is time for me to show it, I had used the danger tape in weaving where it was squashed which gave it a very unreconised view, to this and another which is black possibly another blog in the future.

I showed this piece as a experience of being part of group showing while I was early into my textile studies at RMIT in Brunswick, Melbourne. I have had a lot of fun knitting this outfit an one day it maybe worn by somebody.  

Hand dyed and Knitting

 I explored a couple of years ago - Microwave dyeing with mainly local yarns (except for some very old bubbly yarns - ? Paton's that I got locally). They range in 3-8 plys and I used Food colouring, coming from the primary with only a couple of secondary like green, brown and possible an orange.

 I have hand knitted since I was 11, often following patterns but these scarves are my free form or freedom style. I have applied cast on and do what feels interesting and when I have used the whole ball of 25 -50 grams.

 

 

The next few show a close up of what I have knitted - like wrapping, garter stitch, bringing knitting through and over or picked up. 

This is a gather method that I tried and is more than the 50 grams in weight as I had been going to use as a warp but knitting happened.

 

Just a few made.

Dye - Natural

I attended a Natural Dye day at the local Handspinner and weaver's group near home. A bit cool still, but what colours we created from natural plants and natural dyes.  We took some carrot tops and 8 skeins of 10gm wool from my stash of whites. It gave myself the chance to see if hubby would come along and understand what I mean by natural dyes. We were given a list of items to bring along, with a plate to share, which was a nice way to meet people.

I must confess I took Hubby along, hoping he might enjoy the day. It seems like he did, as he was in at the different dye pots seeing what happens. He came away with a few samples for himself, I wonder if he'll make something. I had asked him along hoping he might as well get some practise with the process, for then he could help here at home. Also that it may make sense to him, my often strange requests in the creating process.



My samples with labels



We mordant a few samples and then into turmeric with two and one into the indigo (blue). Some non-mordant samples into eucalyptus  (what I call a rust red) and turmeric (yellow) and when ready carrot tops (green). I also put into indigo a couple of non-mordant and for varying times to see the shades of blue.

After the mordant the turmeric samples we kept one yellow and put the other one into the indigo to make a bright strong green.  With the carrot tops - I took out one sample and with another, when other ingredients where added to the pot to change the strength of greens. Our dye day was cleaned up and ended with my plate of delectable natural dyed yarns.

What a lovely day to which more natural dyes made be done at home, at the colours were bright and lovely. 

Bright Warps



On the loom.

This bright warp is to be made into brooches, bookmarks, and scarf using a comb reed. A nifty idea with a interesting reed that is 5 dents per inch.

I worked at using the comb reed over these two warps and I had these bright yarns to play with, along with the weather getting sunnier - what a way to greet Spring. 



Bookmarks from two warps.

 

All weaving is work in progress.

 As the warps were randomly wound, it brought out many combinations and pattern in colour. I am a very much flow with the yarn type - I often just want to see. In this case what these 4 ply yarns would look like. I did not work out the set, for this would mean decisions made by me at the beginning and I want the yarn to be involved. I sample via using the warp, this allows for the yarn and I to see how much can be gotten from a ball/hank. These warps are straight drafts and on 4 shafts. I can Do SAORI weave if the idea doesn't work and I will play again. Having fun is one of my main goals when weaving.

Brooches - needing finishing.

I started with the more red/blue warp and with the comb reed (a reed without the top bar so you can lift warp from one dent to another) and wove the scarves then re-dented closer to a rep weave type set and out came bookmarks and brooches at the same time side by side on the loom. Yes I divided the warp used two shuttles and wove, why not is how I think.  



 

With the Second warp the very bright yellow, greens. etc I learnt it is much harder to do brooches and bookmarks first then a scarf, As when I re-dented and wound on it affected the tension of the warp but a few sticks and patience when weaving the scarf. The lifting order came from the Handweaver's Pattern Directory by Anne Dixon. Which is the kind of book I keep Handy when weaving patterns as it has so much choice.

 

Two different -4 shaft patterns.

 

Rolled up scarf - 4 shaft pattern



 

 

Weaving again

I have been keeping an eye the human and she seems to need my input. First I'll check the tension? seems ok with just enough to keep me comfy. To sit pretty is natural and here she comes, better get checking the weft - soft and I wonder how the white spots will look woven? 

I must keep up to date a bit more oftern, but the yarn keeps calling.

Showing Textiles

It was the opening of Viewpoint "Handmade" Gallery in Bendigo, and I am showing the Textiles that I'm very pleased to have made. It is two parts - wall hanging and two sets of box's that were part of my graduation work, and the shelf of making - sarves woven and brooches sewn.

The evening was lovely, with a dear friend and husband coming along and meeting new people plus a friend I haven't seen in years, what a buzz. A lovely tea nearby and supper afterwards after a day of exploring and catching up with another friend.

So Pleased to be in the world of making and showing others some of my creations as you can see I am wearing one of my scarves. It feeds the ordered with freedom. 

P2P2 - A Weaving Journey

P2P2

This has been a very welcomed addition.

I am showing some of the ideas that came forward and looked over some previous weaving that just leaping forward when I thought about this experience.

Two of the images that are very welcome during a cold time this winter.

The grass brought out an old warp that was to be 6 layers but not the colours for me, now happy with a rep weave, yet to be washed.

Whites with texture from all images.

This is for me a throw with another to follow that will be different whites and black instead of grey. The length is 127cm wide which I really like as it gives the Saori/ clasp weft method a fun-ness for me.

Two that brings out the patterns. images in previous P2P2 blog - 15/4/2011

It has been such a pleasure to be part of this project with so many other people that make such wonderful textiles and for Meg to the encouragement and providing the stimulas that has reach far.

Thank you

Black 'n' White & Starting P2P2

This is a dual entry for as I have been thinking about P2P2 and wanted to enter the Australian wool and sheep show in July. I have been a bit behind in the making, as the Australian wool and sheep show was in early july,which I ended up putting the next two images of a scarf into the show and I was pleased with how I used some of the yarn to hang down giving it a textural feel.

 The P2P2 part is the greys and black 'n' white of the cow, but I found another warp from a while ago which is to go on the loom very soon.

 This was number two on the loom and as you can see I explored length by starting to weave what is the alternating white and grey warp threads and using the two different white and greys for this middle section, then a doubled black for the sides. The edges are bit uneven, but over time the aim is for this to improve as enjoyment of weaving is high for me.

 The thickness of this with my sense of control in the middle, which you can see at the begining then so many passes of random then repeat. I divided the weft into double with black on one edge, the middle is two whites and greys, the other edge is black, greys and one white to give a chunky overall feel. This was third on the warp.

 First scarf of the loom and this was where I wanted to keep the rows of white then grey in the middle part of the warp, while carrying up the weft to give a feature to the scarf.

The aim for myself with weaving is to gain more knowledge while enjoying the making. It is the one thing that keeps me stimulated and feeling part of life. As I get to share with friends, and others this need to make using materials and methods that speak to me and them - the desire to touch, look and the interest in texture.

Weaving Displayed

The Castlemaine Artist Market in Victoria Australia is my local artist market and I share a stall with my husband. Recently (May to June) I had been asked if I would like some of my weaving to be displayed with the gentleman who does beautiful wooden boards, etc I was honoured and said yes. This is displayed in the Castlemaine Theatre Royal and the lady who put together our goods has done a wonderful display.

So I popped down one Saturday during the month and saw my weaving looking lovely nestled amongst the wood and where people can see a sample of the talent that local handcrafted artisan's make. Each month another artist/s is shown for the world to see. 

Sorting of some Yarns

We have been painting the inside of the cottage that I have a loom in, to make it more inviting and since we have been here for a few years, it needed decisions to be made about what sort of environment I want, need and what is to be for the 1860's building that has had a hard life at times.

But the one thing that has happened is some of the lovely yarns that friends have brought back from their travels for me, is now - not in a travel/emergency bag (we are in the country and with recent wet and fire) BUT in a doored bookcase with only a small amount of the white yarns, along with the black and the odd linen's that I have collected.

So the waking of a creative space that is suitable for visitors, is what we have been leading up too. This is where I can develop my works of weaving, glass, tapestry, experimental (almost everything) and share a space with Stephen. Also a space to just enjoy the sun coming in the door, with the view of nature.

Winter warmers

I have been keeping close to the warmth of the wood fire as it is wet and cold at the moment. This provides me with the chance to have my Ashford table loom, nearby to watch flames while getting inspriations for more weaving ideas

-ideas are many, what will I make is the question-

 - Saori - with black, red, white, texture.

This is a recent explored warp, to see what happens with sections of solid colour, then three ideas with different red yarns.