weaving onward

finally – the shifu warp is finished

it was started in March – 7 months

never in my 40+ years of weaving has a warp stayed on the loom for so long

bleached linen warp and handspun Japanese paper weft (shifu)

my intention was to make a summer jacket (next summer?)

and use several balls of paper thread, spun from different papers, some plied with silk

they are too precious and labor intensive to leave lingering in the stash

the warp stripe is European hemp in a natural silver colour

the weft colours are dyed with sumi ink and tea

the weave pattern is an 11 harness twill

all the small slubs are created when cutting and spinning the paper

only one problem so far

 one of the front/back pieces is longer than the other – I’ll have to think of something creative

 it hasn’t been washed yet

back in March I completely lost interest – that’s scary!

my relationship with the loom simply disappeared

it is like “falling out” with an old friend

no quarrel, nothing, just empty!

but now, I think/hope we’re friends again

there was enough warp left (due to that measuring mistake)

to weave a tea towel

with a very nice blue linen weft – easier to see the twill pattern

the October backstrap weaving got off to a late start

but it’s on the way now – handspun wool warp and weft, it’s a bit sticky making a shed

definitely autumn here, wet, windy and cool

off to wind a new warp

to weave tea towels during the studio tour

bright and cheerful