Finally on and off the loom

The scarf commission is finally on the loom. The hemstitching at 45 threads per inch is excruciating, but now it's over the weaving is going well. After discussions with the client, I added a bit more light blue into the scarf. The warp is now ABAC with A being white silk 30/2, B being a navy blue superwash merino 28/2 and the C being a blueberry superwash merino 28/2. The warp is the same sequence and yarns.

 

From some angles the shiny silk reveals the waves

From other angles the blue wools show the bubbles. The yarns change places on the reverse.

The scarf is more blue than it appears in these photos.

 

Treadling the threading

800 ends of silk (30/2) and merino (28/2) threaded! 

I ve been "treadling the threading" on the Megado dobby loom. This lifts each shaft in the order of the threading each time you treadle, so that you can thread the heddle on that shaft and make hopefully zero errors.

Tempoweave will create a threading wif at the touch of a button. My other findings are:

• A low stool helps.
• Be careful that if a shaft is up too long (because your warp threads got in a tangle, or you dropped a thread) the solenoid might time out and the pick won't register, so you'll get a repeat. It's a good idea to glance at the screen to watch the pick advancing...or not!
• As there is not a tensioned warp helping the shafts to descend, keep an eye on hung up shafts that could trick you into threading the closest one.
• Even with complex networked drafts with no discernable repeats and multi coloured warps, look out for patterns in the threading e.g I have a 4 colour repeat A B A C and a network of 4. A is always on an odd shaft, B and C even shafts and C on a shaft number divisible by 4....it's a good double check of a skipped threading.
• It's a little slower than traditional threading, but zero mistakes can save a lot of time and anguish later!

Straight draw samples

The preparations are underway for my "introduction to weaving" courses. Above are 50 samples of weaves structures which complete beginners can weave on the course...mixing and matching or changing colours as the mood takes them! The fabric they design and create could create a table runner, placemats, napkins or cushion covers.

 

Weaving barn building works complete!

Dyeing and small batch fleece processing

The back room for processing fleeces and storing wool

Main teaching space awaiting the looms