| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| w.spin.t |
Posted - Nov 22 2010 : 6:08:22 PM
I have seen many mentions to weaving and I was wondering how many weavers are Farm girls too? I have been weaving for about 5 years now and have a variety of looms, and 2 spinning wheels. I have several looms because I taught my children to weave while I home schooled them. I also noticed mentions to spinning yarn. I am not as good at spinning and came to it later than weaving but I have a love of all things fiber. |
| 18 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| cabinlil |
Posted - Jan 30 2011 : 7:08:05 PM
I have wanted to try weaving for some time now. I will be attending a 2 day class this coming weekend and I can hardly wait. I am planning on purchasing a Kromski rigid heddle loom in the near future. I will check out the above recommended books etc.
Carol
cabinlil.etsy.com |
| weaverchic |
Posted - Dec 02 2010 : 6:01:55 PM
Marianne thank you! Over the years I have collected lots of weaving and spinning equipment. I needed to designate a room just to keep things organized. This is my place of refuge where I can be by myself and do what I love.
Isn't it wonderful that we can all share through MJF!
gerri
Farmgirl #1197
Happiness is in the comfortable companionship of friends.
-Pam Brown |
| weaverchic |
Posted - Dec 02 2010 : 5:55:32 PM
Liana I use 10/2 unmercerized natural cotton. Many weavers use 8/2 unmercerized cotton. Using the 8/2 cotton you would set your warp at 20 ends per inch. Use a 10 dent reed and put 2 ends in each reed. I like to use natural cotton and use differenct colors in the warp to get stripes. You can also use the color cotton in the weft and balance the weave by giving it a checkerboard effect or window panes.
I have woven dishtowels in both overshot and waffle weave. Waffle weave is certainly a very absorbent, sturdy and softly textured. Overshot is absorbent and the patterns are endless. Be sure to double your selvedge for extra strenght.
I have a Handwoven's "Design Collection 5" by Interweave Press that is all about dishtowels. Gives you wonderful ideas, then you can create your own towels.
Here are some of the towels that I have woven. You can see the waffle weave and some overshot.
gerri
Farmgirl #1197
Happiness is in the comfortable companionship of friends.
-Pam Brown |
| rough start farmgirl |
Posted - Dec 02 2010 : 4:56:28 PM
Geri,
Your workspace looks so comfortable and inviting! Just a beautiful space.
Marianne |
| w.spin.t |
Posted - Dec 02 2010 : 4:21:10 PM
Wow! What a great response from you all. I will check out the books that were recommended as they sound wonderful. As the suggestion for overshot being good for dishtowels is a Godsend. I am in charge of collecting everyone's 6 towels for the towel exchange in May. The only problem is I haven't yet decided on the design I want to use. I will look into overshot as it is new to me but I am always very excited to try something new. Thank you for the suggestion. My one problem now is what is the right weight of yarn for dishtowels that make it thirsty and thick enough?
All suggestions welcome. |
| Cindy Lou |
Posted - Dec 02 2010 : 10:40:18 AM
I'm so glad I've found some support here! I wrote down your book suggestions so I can check what's available at the MN Weaver's Guild store when I go for class tomorrow. I'm a bit concerned about the weather with possible major snow on the way. I may invest in a motel room for Friday night, I really don't want to miss class or have trouble getting back and forth since its 40-50 miles away. I'm so excited! Its fun to learn something new and I've been fascinated with weaving since I was a kid.
Susan
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"
Mary Oliver |
| laura58 |
Posted - Dec 01 2010 : 7:16:19 PM
Hi, Liana. We used to live In Lancaster, CA before moving up here to WA. I am a spinner and sort of weaver. They are all calling me now, but I am busy crocheting things for relatives.
Laura
http://livinginasnow-globe.blogspot.com |
| weaverchic |
Posted - Nov 24 2010 : 10:57:16 AM
Patty my first loom that I purchased was a used 26" 4H Harrisville loom direct tie up. It was perfect for me as a beginner! That's where my life as a weaver began. Before I knew it I wanted bigger! And that's what I did. From then on there was no turning back! lol
My first book that I purchased was "Learning to Weave" by Deborah Chandler. I remember taking a trip to the mountains and digesting it's contents. Brought scrap paper along to figure out my first project. A simple table runner. Figured my warp and weft. Gosh, I had a blast and couldn't wait to go home and dress my loom!
Happy Weaving!
gerri
Farmgirl Sister #1197
Happiness is in the comfortable companionship of friends.
-Pam Brown |
| weaverchic |
Posted - Nov 24 2010 : 10:31:07 AM
Jeanine your are "Welcome" at anytime to come and visit! I love to talk with people while weaving. It really is a passion of mine. I claim no fame to weaving and spinning, just love fibers! When I don't weave I knit all the time. I find I'm a child with it's "blankey". I have to have some kind of fiber in my hands. I actually find it is all in the process of creating and gives me a sense fo peace. Like many hobbies that other people have.
The baskets that appear on the top of my shelves were woven by me too. I like it however, not fond of the reed in my hands. You always have to keep the reed wet. So needless to say your hands are always wet and your fingers need to be strong to pack the reed in to have a strong basket! Of course, as a horder of these kinds of crafts you never want to get rid of any of it. (lol)
Where in Fla are you located?
gerri
Farmgirl Sister #1197
Happiness is in the comfortable companionship of friends.
-Pam Brown |
| Littleredd |
Posted - Nov 24 2010 : 09:52:55 AM
I'm a beginning weaver with an old Harrisville Designs four treadle. I love it to pieces! My all-time fav book is 'Warping All By Yourself' by Cay Garrett. Very down to earth instructions on getting set up if you don't have another set of hands to help you.
Patty |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Nov 24 2010 : 09:35:54 AM
gerri - fantastic weaving studio! Love the way you have created it. I will grab a cup of coffee and sit in the rocker while you weave....
Farmgirl Sister # 31
www.blueskyjeannie.blogspot.com
Psalm 51: 10-13 |
| weaverchic |
Posted - Nov 24 2010 : 09:33:14 AM
Liana one of my all time favorite book is by Helene Bress "The Weaving Book" It has nearly 3000 variations of Plain Weave, Overshot, Twill, Monk's Belt, and Huck Weaves. It is definitely a keeper. I refer to it all the time. I find that plain weave can really produce some beautiful yardage, shawls, dish towels, etc. Choosing your fiber can result in endless possibilities. Another classic book to have in your library is by Marguerite Porter Davison, "A Handweaver's Pattern Book". Her book focus' on Overshot. I love to weave dish towels in an overshot patterns.
I am a fan of Handwoven and Spin-Off magazines by Interweave Press. I am always inspired by those weavers that contribute to the magazine They are beginner weavers to those who are very experienced.
Love to continue to chat about weaving and spinning and hear about what everyone is creating on their looms!
gerri
Farmgirl Sister #1197
Happiness is in the comfortable companionship of friends.
-Pam Brown |
| antoinette |
Posted - Nov 24 2010 : 07:20:14 AM
My sister and I are beginner weavers. We both have table top looms and each of us have bought a floor loom.
My is a leclerc and hers I am not sure but its big!! I also am in the process of restoring an old rug loom.
Weaving is addictive its like sewing. I love it!! Still learning though. I want to learn how to spin but still
waiting to come across a good spinning wheel at a good price. |
| w.spin.t |
Posted - Nov 23 2010 : 11:04:27 PM
So far Gerri sounds like the one to give us all great advice. I am so glad to meet weavers. I am a real fan of so many books on weaving. I have quite a few that are for patterns but my favorite are the ones that provide the most options with just different treadling options to make the pattern different. I find that the Weaver's Craft mini magazines are great for learning the basics for weaving. What about you, Gerri, do you have any favorite "go to" books? I also like Interview Press "Twill Thrills" and the Ashford Rigid Heddle Book.
Gerri, what type of weave structure are you doing now? I love your studio. Your name is so perfect. Thanks for sharing the photo with us. Mary, I hope these recommendations are helpful to you. I am so excited for you. I want to hear more about the process of putting your Cranbrook together. And Luanne, my first four looms were rigid heddle and I still weave on them. But my favorite loom is my "Swan Lake" 8H by Tom Golding. It was a present from my husband for our 20th anniversary. The first thing I wove was my husband's Tartan. It turned out so great and celebrated my father-in-law's life in what would have been his 100th year.
Can we keep up this topic? I am new to Mary Jane's Farmgirl Connections. How about the rest of you? How long have you known about her and this site? |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Nov 23 2010 : 10:36:55 PM
HI there! I am a spinner and do a little Navajo weaving. I have a big old floor loom and really plan to get to know it and use it someday. I do love the process of weaving and the look and feel of handwovens!
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| weaverchic |
Posted - Nov 23 2010 : 3:47:30 PM
Hello Liana welcome to the Farmgirls! I am a weaver and spinner. I have been weaving and spinning for abouth 20 years. I too have a fleet LOL of looms. I currrently weave on a old Macomber loom 10 shafts with 12 treadles with a double back beam. I also have a 8H Baby wolf, 8H Louet table loom, Kromski ridge heddle loom, a couple of Inkle looms etc.... I also have 2 spinning wheels, a small upright wheel made by Rick Reeves and a Lendrum wheel.
This is a picture of my weaving studio, known as "Morning Glory"
gerri
Farmgirl Sister #1197
Happiness is in the comfortable companionship of friends.
-Pam Brown |
| Cindy Lou |
Posted - Nov 23 2010 : 08:06:33 AM
Hi Liana,
I got a Cranbrook floor loom about a month ago. It's totally diassembled! There's are huge job right there! I'm signed up for a 3 day class for beginning weavers in early December. So I PLAN to be a weaver, though I can't call myself that yet. Any suggestions for user friendly books that have been of use to you?
Susan
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"
Mary Oliver |
| beekeepersgirl |
Posted - Nov 23 2010 : 04:43:23 AM
Hi Liana !
I'm not a very good weaver yet, but I'm learning. I have a Kromski rigid heddle table loom, and so far have done a table runner and placemats. I also have two spinning wheels - a new Kromski Minstrel castle wheel and an antique saxony wheel.
Hugs,
Luanne
beekeepersgirl #691
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
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