questions
help – I’m stuck!
the loom is naked
two scarves with handspun silk warp, natural dyes
weft yarns made a significant difference
on the left, 20/2 silk dyed with lac – a plum colour
right, a fine commercial black silk
blocks of the 8 harness twill pattern are much more obvious with the darker weft
the question now is what’s next?
how do you choose a project?
a favorite pattern or a new one you haven’t tried
a special yarn, something from the stash that needs to be used
silk – some handspun, the dark skeins dyed with sumi ink (it smells wonderful)
or the latest purchase you couldn’t resist
do you go through all those books – or samples
or do you keep a design book with crazy ideas – some from years back
what will sell at the guild sale or at the studio tour?
scraps from Heather – old damask tablecloth
indigo dyed to cut into rags for sakiori weaving
the colour and pattern is beautiful, do I keep it and sew a summer top?
or will I look like a walking tablecloth?
outside the studio summer is calling
and the answers are elusive
yes how do you choose a new project! today’s blogpost was done thinking of you. then saw bryan’s. it’s the zeitgeist!
LikeLike
Neki – I’ve been hiding out in the garden but it is raining today so will have to seriously tidy the stash.
LikeLike
Gee, I don’t think I’ve ever had that problem! My brain is usually running about 10 ideas ahead, 9 of which never become reality because everything takes so much time. I do remember getting lots of new ideas when I sorted and inventoried all my yarns, though. I’m sure you’ll come up with something eventually. Maybe take a break and play in the garden? No stress; no guilt!
LikeLike
Louisa – I have lots of ideas – a binder full – but I also have drawers, closets and a studio full of textiles and weaving. Turning one type of stash into another stash.
LikeLike
I love the color collection of pic #3. I’d make a classic japanese fine striped fabric (like kimono) in plain weave with the warp being dominant to show off the stripes. I made a long Indian kurta with a damask linen tablecloth dyed with earl grey tea and with a burnt orange border, cuffs, and placket, and it turned out great. I think the indigo damask would make a beautiful top! Maybe with a contrasting border at cuffs and neck???
LikeLike
Kristin – next project was to be sakiori and I needed the indigo but it seemed too good to tear up, that’s how I got stuck. Now I’m indigo dyeing small pieces for rags and I can do both sakiori and a top.
LikeLike
So many options! I struggle with what to weave next because I’m so new to it and want to try everything. But I do think that, whatever you choose, you be sure to walk out that door and enjoy summer–it’ll be over before we know it. Take a small loom out there!
LikeLike
Kerry – when I need a real dose of summer I go to the beach, at home – I’m picking guard hairs out of qiviut. It feels so good to be outside.
LikeLike
play for a while! the answer will come when you’re ready.
LikeLike
Jill – oh, thank you. Usually at this time I wash the floor and clean cupboards.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your door! Alas I have no useful suggestions, but if it was me I’d make something small… 🙂
LikeLike
Kjerstin – think that is a good idea, still working on ideas.
LikeLike