vacation = procrastination

We've been on vacation for two weeks. Camping in beautiful New Brunswick. First to Grand Manan Island and then to Campobello Island. Ah, the beauty of the Fundy Bay.

baby & mommy head to the beach

But....

For all the lovely time on vacation, there has been not one moment spent in the studio. Family time came first. But we're back and it's time to get down to work. There is a runner on the loom now, the Olive/White one to match the one I took off as a wedding gift commission last month. When that comes off, there is a rug to put on.

The rug is a commission for a sweet little girls room. It will be fun to do. The yarn is ordered, and I anxiously await it's arrival at the post office. But not to anxiously, of course. I have to get the runner off first. Hopefully that will all be complete early next week.

delivered

There is no greater satisfaction than delivering a commissioned item on time.
I finished the table runner (white/white) and delivered it yesterday. I wasn't able to get a photo before of the fringed runner, mostly due to lack of time. But I did get a detail shot. It was lovely. Subtle. Elegant. One-of-a-kind.

photo taken before washing. detail shot.

Now I have the white/olive one to finish. I started it and it's completely different! I love that my choice of weft (yarn that weaves into the loom) can have such dramatic outcomes, even when the pattern is the exact same.

Next project ready for the loom is a blanket. And not for anyone in particular. Just to add to inventory. That will be nice.

the rag rug

me with some of my rugs

left to right: blue with blue threads (2x4), burgundy with stripe (runner) ,
checker board (4x6), burgundy with stripe (runner)

When I was a student learning weaving, I was mesmerized by rugs. Of course, the easiest ones for me to work on were rag rugs. So, away I went. Designing and playing within the boundaries of rag rug territory. I loved it.

Now, I don't get to make them as often as I used to. They are a lot of work, but well worth it. Here are a few of my favorites from over the years.

the one that started it all
Rainbow Rug (3x5)

blue rug with mauve dyed threads (2x4)

The rugs I made were cotton warps, some dyed cotton threads and broadcloth rags. Now, technically, that would be strip weaving...since the cloth is bought new and cut to use. But the technique comes from rag rug weaving..so I stick with the name rag rugs.

These days, when I make one, they are cotton threads in solid colors (stripes usually) and then broadcloth strips...sometimes even flannel, which makes for a really SOFT rug on the floor. They are always machine washer & dryer safe. Very easy to live with and seem to live forever...or at least the ones in my house don't seem to show wear. They just get softer and softer with time.

So, how much would one cost?? Good question. I charge $25 per square foot. The sizes I usually make are 2x4, 3x5 and 4x6. I've made hall runners too that were 2x8. Width is my limitation on the loom...so 4 ft is as wide as I can go.

I don't keep rag rugs in stock. Too much money tied up in inventory that might not suit a persons house. Instead, I make them special order to fit a specific room. Interested? Message me!

threading the loom

This is probably the most time consuming part of weaving. Threading the loom. But it's worth the extra time to make sure I don't make any mistakes in the pattern. Even when I'm doing a simple 1-2-3-4 threading, mistakes can occur if I go too quickly.

I thread the loom from front to back. Most weavers do it the other way round. But I was taught front to back and that's how I roll with it. In fact, I often do my color designing "in the reed" (the comb part) as I thread. I always have the colors picked out and counted out ready to go, but sometimes as the last minute, change my mind on how they should be arranged in the reed. It's fun!

through the reed

Today I'm threading a cotton warp (the threads that go through the loom) that will be a table runner. It's a commissioned wedding gift. So I need it done this week. The pattern is a broken twill that will make lovely diamond "W" shapes. I'm making two: one white/white and one white/olive. We'll see which one is best when they're both fringed, washed and ironed. My gut says white/white. But who knows?

Photos to come of finished project.

wedding season is upon us....

my wedding day June 7, 2008

It's funny, but every spring, usually starting in May, I start to get requests for wedding gifts.

"Do you have any table runners?"

"What about at throw?"

"Can you suggest something you have in stock that would be a good wedding gift?"

hand woven guest towels

Ultimately, the wedding is usually sooner rather than later which can make selections harder. But these requests are something I enjoy fulfilling. What a wonderful gift to give to a young married couple, something hand made.

hand dyed and woven table runner

Some of my favorite wedding gifts that I've made over the years are overshot blankets, wool blankets, table runners, and pillow sets.

overshot blanket - cotton and wool

Are you going to a wedding this summer and want to take a gift that won't be a duplicate? Contact me for hand woven gift ideas. This summer I actually have a few good gifts in my cupboards ready to go!

store window featuring my hand woven work and teddy bears

rub a dub dub

I just took bath mitts off the loom and am in the process of sewing them up. Bath mitts, if you're unaware, are wearable wash cloths woven in cotton & cotton chenille. Very soft! And the best part is that they are washer/dryer friendly! I love creating woven items that can easily be added to a busy life.
Bath mitts are for everyone! Men, women, kids alike. I usually bundle them with a locally made soap by Lavish. Their soaps are so nice!

They also have made lovely hostess gifts, teacher gifts and just because gifts!!

Pillows Pillows Everywhere!

Sometimes I find that I have hand woven fabric left over from a project, or yardage of sampling that needs a purpose. In those cases, I make pillows of all different shapes, sizes and textures. Here are just a few of the most recent.

hand woven felted wood pillow (red/charcoal/black)

hand woven variegated texture pillows

hand woven wool pillows (blue/green)