wow!
that last spindle of tussah silk was needed
now the weaving is finished
modeled by Betsy, it will be some type of top – just need to decide on a pattern
the fabric is light and very soft
it drapes nicely
next I’ll weave a companion fabric with the black silk
to use for trim
meanwhile — the reed is finished
I ran out of string and don’t think it is possible to join while still knotting
so the reed is 12 1/2 long
the cut ends of the bamboo slats are sharp and I wanted to protect them
first I covered them with old, cotton sheeting
and then the Japanese handmade paper I use to cut shifu – kiraku kozo
I don’t think it is really strong enough
but I covered the paper strips in my favorite rice paste glue – now available here
once dry it is very strong
I’m doing a happy dance!
now, I’m going to try weaving with it
at 22 epi this – new to me – hemp yarn, which cost A LOT, seems like a good choice
combined with some indigo dyed cotton
can’t wait to get started
www.onesmallstitch.Wordpress.com u 
it is so satisfying making your own tools isn’t it? the fabric is gorgeous and will look wow with the woven trim.
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Neki – making the reed was very satisfying, unfortunately without the tools and materials to prepare the bamboo I can’t make any more. Of course that prevents me from obsessively making several more!
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Your finished fabric is very beautiful and the reed is just amazing! Can’t wait to see what you make with the hemp. I love that stuff, pricey tough it is.
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Louisa – thank you, I love my reed. I’d use a lot more of the hemp if it wasn’t so expensive.
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What lovely images of all your work! I love that indigo and natural combo–can’t wait to see what comes out of the reed!
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Kerry – the hemp yarn is really nice but very expensive. I want to use it for woven shibori and see how it dyes. Just sort of sampling with the new reed.
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you finished! not me, not yet, but it’s right here…maybe this weekend while recuperating from today’s surgery!
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Velma – Kristin was in Bryan’s class and has been leaving comments, which was helpful when finishing the reed. I would love to make a second one. I’ll be thinking of you, take it easy.
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The Tussah silk yardage already looks like a wonderful garment! you are amazing!
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Kjerstin – it is the hand and drape of the fabric that is very nice, think it is the combination of silk and handspun singles cotton
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Wonderful! I can’t wait to see the hemp/cotton you weave with the new reed 🙂
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Kristin – when I finished the reed,tying the string in a double cross I didn’t split the end piece to secure it but slipped the end under the cross and then glued it under the paper. It seems to be strong.
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Great! I think the end splits are great for when you are making the impossibly fine reeds with 50 or more slats per inch and really fine thread. When I make more with the thicker thread, I will skip the split part and use glue like you did.
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Kristin – that last piece of bamboo had started to split and I glued it, I was afraid to make the slits in it in case they just kept going.
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