cushions

Using the Christmas holidays to get the latest weaving project underway. I m finding the wool warp a bit "sticky" and the weave is complex. I'm interrupting the rhythm of the alternating fine-thread tabby shots (regular under/over weave between the Bateman boulevard weave) by occasionally introducing a wool (pattern) weft to complete the tabby, which reverses the direction of the tabby treadling....hard to explain unless you weave! End result is quite a few minor mistakes in the first two pattern repeats in the photo above.

So having finished the first cushion cover, I decided to change the tie up on one of the treadles (change which threads are raised and lowered on one of the pedals) and then change the treadling (pedalling) sequence and add a new thread (red) into the mix. Voila, variation no. 2

With a much more intuitive treadling sequence, this weave is flying along. 

In case you're wondering, what look to be spacing faults, particularly in the "warp" (the threads running from front to back) are caused by the reed (a comb like device that keeps the warp threads in order as they pass through the beater). I only have one reed so when the density of the warp threads doesn't match your reed, you have to improvise. In this case sometimes two threads and sometimes three threads go between each tooth in the reed. This tends to alter the even spacing of the warps whilst they are under tension and weaving is taken place. Once off the loom and the fabric is washed the threads will find an even spacing. 

Transition between variations one and two

 

The fabric for the four cushion covers is now off the loom, washed and pressed. The one above is my favourite and in fact it was the back of the last piece I wove and something of a surprise. As I have a narrow piece of identical warp, I think Ill repeat it to make a scarf for my neighbour Alain, who gave me the old loom from his attic for free!

Below are samples of the four weaves, all from an identical warp threaded on 5 shafts in "Bateman boulevard".

Three out of four handwoven cushions complete.