Crossed Warps

Onward to a New Scarf

2012-01-20T04:15:00.000-08:00

Remember this sketch from yesterday's post?

Well I decided that it would be my first to prototype and put into production. So I refined the design a bit.

Decided upon precise proportions of colour across the warp. All the green areas are super fine monofilament because it's soft enough to wear.

Next I had to decide on the structure. I'm restricted to 8 shafts at the moment so I had to play with 6 shafts for the pattern - the other 2 are for the monofilament. I also wanted heavy and light weight tiny squares to make some textural difference to the surface, even though it will be felted after weaving.

Next I was onto dying. It's very tricky to take photos on my phone to show the right colours, but this was the closest with adjustments. Slightly veriagated magenta.

The next is a kind of dark purple.

I have also dyed some black wool but am considering also dying some tencel black to add yet more texture and shine.. but maybe I already have enough texture!

Am I insane? These are the two very thin monofilament warps. 20epcm .. hmm.. They will go into a lime dyepot tomorrow. Looking forward to it!
--melly

A Way to Get Moving

2012-01-19T15:47:00.000-08:00

I made a quiet New Year's resolution to myself - three scarf designs a day. I didn't post any of them here straight away, because I wanted to make sure I would actually stick to it for a while - unlike so many other resolutions I've made.

So here are a few. They're very rough and need refining quite a bit before weaving, but they are a start. Even if I can't keep it up when I go back to work, at least I'll have something to go on.

I might post a few more tomorrow. I also have a few Lacroix sketches coming along too!
--melly

Painting at Sturt Summer School

2012-01-19T04:35:00.000-08:00

My holiday treat this year was going to Sturt Summer School to do a class it oil painting with a pallet knife with David Middlebrook . David's paintings are devine and quite inspirational - make sure you look at the details. I've always wanted to take formal painting lessons and I think David brought out the best in all of us. The entire class was terrific - people, teacher, places we went, things that we drew and painted. And I'll also add that it was incredibly challenging and frustrating at times - but I looked on it as a personal challenge to stick at it until I got it - and it was really rewarding as a result. This is what I ended up with :

So they're nothing I'd put on my wall, but the main idea wasn't to have something finished, just exercises really. And we did lots of sketches too. I haven't done so much consistent drawing since art school. I'd highly recommend any of David Middlebrook's classes to anyone, at any level.
--melly

New Year's Weaving

2012-01-18T17:28:00.000-08:00

I finished off and redyed the scarves I had on the loom -

And this is the next warp - space dyed wool and monofilament double warp - to be dyed afterwards.

I just looove monofilament! I could never stop using it!
--melly

Dying Scarves

2011-12-30T15:19:00.000-08:00

So I finally finished my problem warp, put the last one in the dye pot, and redyed one of the others. Mainly I just can't wait to start on my new ones - monofilament, rayon and wool.

This one is in a kind of lime Lanasol.

I'm experimenting with over dying the rayon with Procion. I've left in in overnight so we'll see how it looks later.

And here's a couple of sketches I drew while I was on the train the other day.

--mel

A Funny

2011-12-20T02:37:00.000-08:00

This seems relevant -

Care of http://icanhascheezburger.com/
--melly

Animals..

2011-12-20T02:04:00.000-08:00

A couple of animals featured today - chooks and monkeys.

Carrying on from the sampling on the weekend, I've decided to make some cuffs - rayon, silver and feathers.

And I decided to make my god-daughter and her sister sock-monkeys for Christmas .

More weaving tomorrow!
--melly

10 things from Belinda

2011-12-18T12:27:00.000-08:00

Ok Melly . I am trowing out, recycling, giving away but out of my house 10 things a day until I go away in 10 days so thats 100 bits and pieces. Starting with my kitchen junk draws.

1. little velvet bag garbage
2. remote ( from what ?) garbage
3. empty packet recycling
4. eraser garbage
5. mobile phone Recycling
6. mobile phone Recycling
7. note book give away
8. head set garbage
9. membership card garbage
10. stack of receipts ( I have many little stacks) shred and recycle

So 5 out of 10 is garbage my aim is to recycle more than go into the garbage. so we will see how we get on. I have 9 rooms down stairs ( including that garage) and 3 rooms upstairs that are the girls bedrooms and one has been made into a closet so hopefully by the end of next year I should have a clean house if I can keep this up.

Mells weaving

2011-12-18T04:01:00.000-08:00

A little clip of Mell's weaving. Rayon, vintage silver metallic thread and feathers woven in pleats. My warp was not successful but will do some before and after photos. I want to dye the weaving black and print on it with gold leaf.

A few days at Mum's

2011-12-18T03:33:00.001-08:00

Last week I spent a few days relaxing at Mum and Dad's place. Along with a lot of sleep ins and naps, we also did a spot of weaving.

Mum finished the cloth for her dressing gown - it has devine colours - pinks and purples - the warp is 60% wool, 40% mohair and the weft is possum. Then we put it in the washing machine for 15 minutes then the tumble drier for 30. So warm and fluffy!

Then we put on a narrow rug warp on her other loom.

And then we put back together am old friend of mine! Lovely old loom I bought when I was a student. I had to take it apart with a warp still on it - a velvet rug warp! So guess what I'll be doing at Christmas time?
And tomorrow I'll post what Belly and I did today!
--melly

My new discovery of an ancient art.

2011-12-14T02:12:00.000-08:00

I stumbled upon a weaving technique called Saganishiki and I am totally smittened. I would love to try it and am thinking of going to Convergence in Long Beach next year to do a workshop. The warp is paper and coated with metal in some cases 24ct gold! with silk weft, so not a cheap technique to learn but I would still like to give it ago. There is not a lot of information about Saganishiki out there and if any one knows where I can get a loom please leave a comment. The image is from a blog I found and the weaving is by blogger Michael Cook ( I think ) at wormspit

Another site I have found and its very interesting but I don't read Japanese. I take it this weaver is a master of the craft.

Dreaded pink and citrus warp

2011-12-14T01:51:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I wonder about my colour chooses. Citrus and pink silk, and wool mixed in the top warp and wool ( to felt) in the bottom warp. Of cause the wool and pink thread I the top warp tension differently so it is a problem before I even start to sample. I have put on a simple threading sequence of:
1,2,5,3,4,6 . 5 and 6 being the bottom warp of Lauren ( felting) wool. You can just see the colour samples of forest green, i only had an old reel of Mederia metal bit wanted to see what the colour looked like. Also a dull orange colour that I think works well.

So now what will I weave?

Sorry images need rotating, its an Iphone thing as saved on the computer they look fine so have to figure that one out Melly.

Its been a while

2011-12-11T11:59:00.000-08:00

Mel with company:

Mel came to visit this weekend and we got my little loom back out and Mel just had to finish it for me. I think it was driving her crazy that I had not done this yet. so now to weave this off in a week.

Year 10 Felt Shoe Making

2011-11-18T03:37:00.000-08:00

These are some photos from a 2 day workshop I gave last week.

--mel

Countermarch Woes

2011-11-18T03:15:00.000-08:00

Just a quite suggested reading post -
http://www.weaversschool.com/resources.htm and download the article called 'Countermarch Looms - Everything you've ever wanted to know'. After you've done that, print it out and GLUE IT TO YOUR COUNTERMARCH LOOM.
Ok so it's mainly written for Glimakra looms but if you read it very carefully, as well as look at the pictures, and make a few educated guesses, you'll end up with a lovely shed.
I have recently spent hours and hours getting a really fussy countermarche loom working - and I finally did! I was so stunned I needed a Campari! But I felt so good for actually conquering it - I haven't felt like that for ages!
I hope it still works tomorrow and I didn't dream it..
--mel

Velvet weaving and feathers

2011-10-22T16:00:00.000-07:00

I've finally finished warping up and am weaving that warp we wound so long ago!
I've done a little bit of velvet and then started putting in cut up ostrich feathers - am loving the feathers!

I also came across a cute quote Something cute I came across in the Sturt archives - from 1958 local paper.
"Weaving is something that 'gets you in'" said Mrs Chaserly, who has been an instructoress for five years. "Some of the housewives who join our classes become so engrossed that I'm afraid they forget their housework for a while."
Indeed
-- Mel

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Lego Weaving

2011-10-22T14:53:00.000-07:00

This is one of those odd moments that only happens at night, on one's own and often a little over-tired.
The catalyst, so far as I can tell, was watching 'James May's Toy Stories' on Mecanno. On it was a brief couple of seconds of a FULLY AUTOMATIC Mecanno power loom - very old black and white film.
Here's a plan I found via http://www.meccanopedia.com/wiki/index.php?title=MOM_74-02_Power_Loom.ModelPlan

So. Theoretically I could make a teeny baby loom making bookmarks or ribbons sitting beside me while I weave!
But no Mecanno around the house...
But there was the box of Lego I bought myself for Christmas last year...
Playing...distraction... Playing...
Fully working skein winder!

Now the loom... Well my Leggo set wasn't that comprehensive so I couldn't make the rollers unfortunately - or anything automatic without cogs and things, but I went as far as I could with what I had.

And since waking up this morning I've found tonnes more on the interweb! Now I need more Leggo and Mecanno!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

A wasted day again!

2011-10-16T03:58:00.000-07:00

Well Melly what a day. I finally got the warp tied on and started to weave and threads kept breaking and after I fixed a few threading mistakes ( don't talk to people who wonder into the studio while threading ) but got all that sorted ( I think). I have had no end of trouble weaving the pleats and I think the varying tension is the problem and thats because I have wool and silk on the top warp (Wool on the bottom) and the wool remained tight when the silk was loose trying to make the pleat! Grrr.

So any suggestions I just left the studio in disgust and Leo's music was driving me mad so all in all a bad day! Photos not so good my first effort with the iphone.

comfy dog,he's asleep!

wool on the left side of the warp

threading sequence, bottom warp on 5 and 6

no grant no computerized loom

if only Mell, can we go back

Vive Lacroix!

2011-10-16T03:37:00.000-07:00

All images from Elle Decor Photographer Andrew Lamb

You could forgive Christian Lacroix for feeling depressed. In December 2009, the designer left the fashion house that bears his name after more than 22 years at its helm. The writing had been on the wall for some time. The label operated without a profit and, in 2005, its original backer, LVMH , sold the firm to the Falic Fashion Group, whose success derives from duty-free retailing. The glamorous and cerebral Lacroix found himself part of the same corporation as Daddy Yankee fragrances and Urban Decay cosmetics. Today, Maison Christian Lacroix continues without him. No longer, however, does it produce the women’s ready-to-wear and haute couture that made it famous. Instead, the house launched a menswear line this past January with a collection that bears little relationship to the joyous, flamboyant style that has long been Lacroix’s trademark. Full article on Elle Decor online.

Some new Lacroix images

2011-09-11T00:20:00.000-07:00

Metallic Jacquard

2011-09-07T16:28:00.000-07:00

Via etsy
Ok Mel you know my obsession withe vintage and look at the beautiful jacquard fabric. Metallic Jacquard

Gifts for us

2011-09-05T02:03:00.000-07:00

Look what exciting gifts I found us today ( 2 note books and 1 set of cards). I didn't have my camera but the fabric for Designers Guild by Lacroix were amazing . The colours and patterns, you have to come and visit so we can go look at them.
Sorry the photo is not to clear but I just wanted to show you what I got Mel, there were more different designes but I could not afford them all.

Christian Lacroix Velvet and Beaded Ensemble

2011-09-04T04:53:00.000-07:00

Pure colours, Mr Lacroix your a genius!
Christian Lacroix Velvet and Beaded Ensemble
France

A sumptuous black velvet Christian Lacroix ensemble with an exuberant and colorful sequin embroidery.

RARE vintage

Price
$1,900

Condition*
Excellent

Christian Lacroix patchwork skirt

2011-09-04T04:47:00.000-07:00

As I was researching today I found this patchwork Ball Skirt with matching wrap at a vintage shop in the USA. Unfortuneatly it is out of my price range but inspiring all the same. and the best part is the label and linning. The colours are my favourite with lime green and hot pink.
This is the information about the skirt from the website:

CHRISTIAN LACROIX PATCHWORK BALL SKIRT W/MATCHING WRAP
France

Circa 1990's Christian Lacroix extravagant multi-color patchwork embroidered silk brocade skirt with a contrasting thick woven wool and silk reversible wrap. The pouf ball skirt is designed to mimick the wench waif full skirt peasant look of the 1800's with Lacroix adding a strong presence of modern French haute couture. The result is a cornucopia of lavish luxury in textiles and a forward fashion look just right for the late 1980's-90's.
size: skirt; 40 waist; 30", front length; 45", back length; 56", wrap: 81"L x 23" W
Condition: excellent

Price
$5,400

Via Marilyn Glass

A Knotty Problem

2011-08-19T02:43:00.000-07:00

Bah! I tell you, that stunningly beautiful silver thread has its issues! It has a huge amount of twist in it when it relaxes - and tangles so much with the rayon. I am persevering though - nearly finished that section but it is quite slow. I am definitely looking forward to seeing how it weaves up!

And this is Mum's first camellia from her new place. Very pretty and blushing.

-- mel

Sturt Rug Update

2011-08-09T14:46:00.000-07:00

Finally I have sone images for you of the first part of the Sturt rug. This first strip is 50cm wide and 280cm long. I'll need to shorten it a little bit for the final piece though - who'd have thought I'd weave too much?

I used both plain weave and 2x2 twill for texture - the twill used 1.5 times the amount of yarn and needed huge arches in order to keep the edges straight.
--mel

Now for my boring warp

2011-07-16T04:59:00.000-07:00

My new warp is a double warp with silver metallic thread and over dyed silk that was part of an old warp we separated and am using a section of it. i am hoping to do pick up on this warp and maybe a play with padded pleats. perhaps there will be enough left on the warp to do some more playing with gold leaf as well on a small sample. Now Melly tell me why do I always end up with PINK??

Mell's new warp

2011-07-16T04:35:00.000-07:00

Double warp rayon, what are you thinking Melly? Pleats ? I can't wait to see it woven I think the amazing silver thread should weave beautifully.

Monofiloment Roses

2011-07-16T04:19:00.000-07:00

Experimenting with monofiloment for large installation, what do you think Melly ?

Being attacked from the book shelves!

2011-07-16T04:11:00.000-07:00

Its not safe in working on the computer at the moment, his favorite spot is the book shelf behind my head!!

Feathers from Photios Brothers

2011-06-29T15:47:00.000-07:00

We discovered a fantastic place yesterday in Sydney - Photios Brothers . We´d heard of it before but never been and it is truly amazing! 16 000 individual stock items! They sell trimmings for everything but I was enamoured by their feathers, as I have been thinking about fur and feathers for some cloths. So here´s what i came away with (though it´s not enough - now I just want to get more!). Renata was the lovely person who served us and it turns out that she is a stunning artist too - she showed us some of her amazing bead encrusted peaces - wonderful to find another kindred spirit!

Ostrich feathers - can´t wait to weave these!

This colour didn´t quite come out - it´s more of an olive colour.

I looove these ones! And there are others with more of a deep red russet colour on the tips - my next purchase!

Elegant pheasant feathers - need some fur to go with them I think. They had a whole range of these dyed which were very tempting so I think they bare some experimenting.

For the fur I´m after, I think that I´ll try to find an alpaca pelt - what do you think?
--mel

Golden Goodness

2011-06-27T03:52:00.000-07:00

The undulating warp is off! And very shiny!

This is metalic leaf on paper that I cut into strips. I made about a metre of it so there is plenty to play with.

And the reverse side.

Now this just makes me giddy! This is the gold thread that we bought at Peppergreen´s last year. It feels amazing and makes me very excited!

And this is the reverse. I only did about 30cm of this one so I´ll have to be a bit more careful with it.

And I found this little gem in an antique shop today - a little out of my price range at $1400.

--mel

It´s Lacroix!

2011-06-27T03:25:00.000-07:00

My friend Helen showed me two pieces of her Lacroix - beautiful!

This print is from a silk shirt from the early 1980s. The silk was devine - it was like liquid! And the colours were stunning - so beautiful!

This is from a quilt cover set - I love the designs of the embroidery - so Lacroix!

--mel

Some Weavers at Sturt

2011-06-26T14:14:00.000-07:00

I thought I would do a little roundup of some of the weaving that´s been going on around the Sturt Weaving Workshop. There has been some fantastic pieces produced lately!

Lilly and Carol both making floor rugs. Carol´s has a loom controlled square throughout it.

April wearing her fantastic double weave tencel and wool scarf.

Helen´s blind, tho this photo doesn´t do it justice so I´ĺl try to take some more later. It has a very cool blue jelly yarn in it that is incredible in the sun.

This is Maureen´s stunning hanging. Double weave pockets with silk and monofilament and very finely cut pieces of wood which as translucent with the sun behind it.

This is Judy weaving her crammed and spaced scarf. Judy has been a Sturt weaver since 1979.

Ann is nearly finished her beautifully graphic Bauhaus inspired tapestry.

These are just a few of Libby´s tapestries of her grandchildren´s drawings - so fun!

And this is one of my after school student´s pencil cases. It´s amazing what a trip to Vinnie´s can inspire!

So that´s just a little part of what´s been happening up here lately. There´s lots more so come up some time and have a play!
--mel

Antiqueness

2011-06-26T04:56:00.000-07:00

As you know there are tonnes of antique places around here, and I´ve noticed a couple of things lately.
Some beautiful chair seat weaving -

Now Belly, I need some advice about this one - it´s $65 from Vinnies but it´s very Lacroix! It´s a very old frame judging by the beautiful glass and the back.. what do you think? It´s quite big - about 50cm high..

--mel

Leaves

2011-06-26T04:37:00.000-07:00

It has been a really wet and cold autumn and winter - but the leaves are so beautiful! So i made some more leaf prints with procions.

--mel

Loom Envy

2011-06-19T11:11:00.000-07:00

I have just come across this post on the etsy blog. Weave Gregory Newham's fabulous studio ( Fitch Studio Weavers) in Kingston New York. I have severe loom envy and what a beautiful studio.

Etsy Blog link

Fitch Studio Weavers

A Sturt Weaver

2011-05-28T17:03:00.000-07:00

It´s amazing who you find weaving at Sturt. Mum dropped in and helped with some weaving.

--melly

Leaf Prints

2011-05-28T04:37:00.000-07:00

I have been doing some clamped leaf prints lately.

The first one is dyed with a pot of Eucalyptus Punctata.

The next few pink ones are using Procion dyes.

And I put some silk satin in too - the print wasn´t quite as good but still interesting.

Not sure what any of the leaves are, just some from the trees around Sturt.
--melly

Undulating Twills and Mock Piles

2011-05-28T04:29:00.000-07:00

This week I revisited a couple of warps that have been sitting around waiting for me to figure out what to do with them.

This first is the undulating twill that I threaded up ages and ages ago here. I knew it needed something and I wasn´t quite happy with it. Today though, I feel like I got somewhere. First I out a highly mercerised cotton, fine rayon and fine metalic thread over it - perfect! Then I tried some finely cut gold painted paper - which I loved, but had to alter the structure a little. Next I tried some cut cellophane which I also really liked but red is the wrong colour for this warp so I will have a look around for maybe a yellow or orange?

The next warp is the mock pile from this post. I dyed and ripped up some old blanket and put across it. Was very happy with it though am not quite sure what to do with it - floor rug or bag maybe? It´s quite stiff and I prefer it uncut - and I love the back too.

And I still keep forgetting to bring the draft home to post with it - will make that my mission for the week!
--melly

Beads!

2011-05-21T21:31:00.000-07:00

A quick post - I found these amazing beads at Vinnies the other day. I´m guessing from shape, colour, size, shape and the threads and paper with them, that these are from around the 1930s - so excited! they´re beautiful - and I´m sure they´re going to be of use for Lacroix!

--melly

More Rugs

2011-05-21T21:28:00.000-07:00

Ok Belly - I´ve started the physical work for the Sturt rugs. Mum did the dying while I hovered over, and this is just the start!

This last image is from the Palettes app for my iphone - I am absolutely loving it - so handy!

So what do you think?
--melly

Todays weaving

2011-05-15T02:47:00.000-07:00

Well Melly I didn't realize I had the Macro lens on the camera, so will have to take some more later.
So I will load these anyway. the images with the black thread in it are some from a scarf I finish ages ago, it also was the end of a warp and is a bit small so I get to wear all the little bits!

Before washing - wool warp and wool silk and rayon weft

Before washing

After washing

Sample scarf ( above 2 images)

Bits and Pieces

2011-05-07T18:09:00.000-07:00

Ok so it´s been a while since I made a post, and I do have lots to put up, but to start with here a a couple of recent things that I´ve been fiddling with..

Last night I found a huge mushroom and decided to try to make a spore print - and it worked! Quite beautiful up close..

This is from a felting workshop I gave a couple of weeks ago and showed the girls an easy way of dying in a plastic bag. I finally washed it out yesterday..

And this is some ripped up blanket that I want to do something with. Possibly with the wool above. And some rayon. And other stuff. I think I´ll spin the wool above.

So there we are - recent bits and pieces.
--mel

For Christian

2011-05-02T14:44:00.000-07:00

Not the best photos but you get the idea. Still lots more playing but am enjoying the process now. Thanks Melly you are a great friend in a crisis, keeping me calm and all you help thank you!

Experimenting

2011-04-30T22:59:00.000-07:00

Well Melly
I have been playing all day and almost at a point where I am happy will post some finished work when the gilt is dry and brushed off what do you think?

Wasted day

2011-04-29T22:57:00.001-07:00

What a wasted day at the studio. I went out to the studio with big plans for the day, first was to weave off the warp on the loom and that meant weaving a good 1.5mts. Next was to wind 2 warps one for some scarves and 1 a copper warp to redo a damaged piece. People think that because it is metal we should just check the it bends and twists GRRRR . I am sure they would not touch a painting now would they.

So got to the studio finished the bobbin at the loom and where is the bobbin winder ? back at home of cause. So finished the bobbin vacuumed the studio wound 1 warp as I am not winding copper and leaving it of the loom for any length of time.

So back to the studio tomorrow and hope I can get 2 days work done in one.

The images are of a dragon fruit I had for lunch such beautiful colour I love them and the weaving on the loom.

Shrinkage

2011-04-29T15:23:00.000-07:00

Today I went and finished the green warp. There was not as much left on the warp as I thought. I wove approximately 160 cm but when it was off the loom it only measured 142 cm's. The big loom is fixed (thank you Al) I wove some of the white warp that was still on the loom. I wove 195cm's when it was off the loom it measures 168cm's. So what is the shrinkage rate and what will it be once washed and pressed???

The green warp will be drawn/gathered up and felted, the white warp that is felting wool. The weft thread is a cotton thread.

Green before wash 142cm after washing 89cm, so it shrank 53cm and that was not felted tightly.

White before washing 168cm after washing 132cm and is still very open

So Mell what are you thoughts ? Do you have a formula you use. My measurement seem to change every time I cut a warp off.

I found this in the drafts not published and I am not sure why

Warp sampling

2011-04-28T16:09:00.000-07:00

Just a few images from the warp I am playing on looking at textures and colours.

Textiles from Vietnam

2011-04-25T16:54:00.000-07:00

A friend has just returned from Vietnam and bought these quilts back with her. They seem to be made up of strips of embroidered fabrics and recycled fabric. The indigo quilt is for me (lucky me) I had to wash them all as they have a lot of surface dye that needs to be removed. The indigo quilts smells very strongly of smoke so will have to consult Julie as to the best way of washing it.

Found threads

2011-04-21T04:58:00.000-07:00

Well Mell look what I found on the shelf! My old rayon threads from my machine embroidery days and in the container were a few odd reels of linen and silk. The 2 bottom images are the new warp on your 8 shaft table loom, threading is 12345678 12345678 and has 8 threads per dent.

So I will use some thing out of the container as weft samples and I have some nice gold at the studio I will also use .

Anastasia Azure

2011-04-11T15:52:00.000-07:00

Mell I found this artist today and she is amazing. Makes me want to go back and work in metal again.

Anastasia Azure

Quote by Doyald Young

2011-04-05T14:22:00.000-07:00

Quote by Doyald Young, illustrated by Marian Bantjes

Via Lynda.com enewsletter

This weeks weaving

2011-03-26T21:15:00.000-07:00

Ok so the loom is working again. The 4 scarves above have been woven over the last week or so. I have put a new warp on the loom and have one finished scarf and part of another one woven and they are still on the on the loom. Thought you might like to see the progress Mel.

Pink and green scarf

2011-03-26T20:49:00.000-07:00

Tying painted wool warp on loom.

Weaving green painted wool warp with wool and silk weft

Finished scarf (sorry same photo as below)

Mel sent through some photos for the weaving on the loom so thought I would post start, middle and finished weaving!
Belly

Essay writing

2011-03-14T00:02:00.000-07:00

In issue 33 of Selvedge Magazine they announced a writing competition. I am sure there was a previous one and will find it Mel. This particular competition was called Word Perfect.

Inshort:-

Can you capture the essence of a textile-related destination without resorting to cliches? In 800 words and to be written in the 3rd person.

I will scan the text and we can use it as the starting point.

Two things for today

2011-03-13T23:53:00.000-07:00

Mel visited for the weekend and we had a fantastic time. Hopefully we have solved the loom delemer. We think it is missing a spring for tensioning but it has never been on the loom and just good luck has held it tight enough for it to work. Now I have to find a ring to attach to the wooden part for the spring and it needs to be more square shaped and will also need something to protect the wood. So back to the Auto shop and how nice was it to walk in to Autobarn and have the nice young gentleman know exactly what sort of spring we would be requiring.

Mel sent me this image and link. I think it would make for some fantastic weaving but just what and how ? Thoughts Melly? The dress is divine and I would love to wear something like it just imagine the movement.
And being the shoeaholic that I am look Melly must haves oh and coloured shoes.

Anthropologies new Bridal collection

Via Twig and Thistle

I finished this scarf on the little tokia, its an old warp that I over dyed green and pink and the wove with wool and silk weft. I pulled some threads and felted it so a 210 cm weaving is now just under 100cms. I still have enough warp I think to do another scarf so may try a bit of blue in the weft.

Still a bit wet when I took these photos! thank you for visiting Mel, so much fun and can't wait for our next playtime in the studio. now back to the grant writing.

Today's Little Effort

2011-03-09T01:52:00.000-08:00

I finished one of my scarves! I was so excited that I put it straight in the dye pot!

And laid it out to dry. Tomorrow I get to see what it's really like dry.

I think I was inspired by our morning coffee Belly!
-- melly
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Roundup

2011-03-05T02:21:00.000-08:00

A funny week -
I have loooved getting back to some production weaving! Who'd have thought??

And Sturt gardens have been so beautiful!

And I bought this cute necklace/brooch made from wood and old kimono fabric - I can't remember who made it - I will find out and repost.

Feel so much better this week!
-- melly
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Todays effort

2011-03-05T01:00:00.000-08:00

Today I used up the last of a navy wool warp. It was 10inchs wide and approx 15 threads per inch.

I used a weft of mixed pink/orange mohair and navy wool with lycra.

I have not finished it yet and it need the fringe and need to wash it. It ended up being just 155cm long as with fringed. I thought there was more left on the warp. Will put up a photo after I have washed the weaving.

Next problem

The Tokia has the pegs and lags tired up as:

Treadle 1 - Shafts : 1

Treadle 2 - Shafts : 2

Treadle 3 - Shafts: 1, 3

Treadle 4 - Shafts: 2,4

Treadle 5 - Shafts: 1, 2, 4

Treadle 6 - Shafts : 1, 2, 3

So I need to put a warp on and I hate getting under it to retire up. My back is so bad and when I get under I am in so much pain I hate it. So any ideas as what I could do with whats on there ? May be some collapse weave? I need to wind a warp and do something if I don't weave some thing i don't think I will ever weave again just waiting for the fairies to fix my loom.

Belly

A Weaving Week

2011-03-02T02:22:00.000-08:00

So I've had a very wacky week. To winge a little, I've just finished working 17 days straight with between 3 and 6 hours sleep at nights. I'm a little twitchy. The important up side to this though is that I've been craving my weaving massively. So I finally finished threading up that warp from when you were up here Belly.

And on Tuesday I finally put on that mock pile warp on - I loved it! And want to play more with it!

But I was so happy today when I was finally able to start weaving the scarves.

It had a few issues like a couple of broken threads (caused by laziness of winding overtwisted wool with rayon - I thought of it as I was winding it but, well, I was lazy). I still loved doing it though.
-- mel

Companion Planting at Jean Bellette Gallery Hill End

2011-02-22T14:58:00.000-08:00

Image 1 and 2 'Me, Here, and You, There' 2011, embroidery with roses and thorns, (photo: Julie Ryder)

Image 3 All my days follow all your nights – all your yesterdays are all my tomorrows, 2011

Textiles and threads dyed with plants from Murray’s Cottage, (Photo: B. Runnegar)

Image 4 Hill End Annotations 1’ 2010 Thorns, archival glue on paper, (photo: Julie Ryder)

Image 5 Wishbone’ 2009 Watercolour on paper 23 x 35cm, (photo: Julie Ryder)

Companion Planting is a mixed-media exhibition inspired by a 2009 Hill End residency in Murray’s Cottage, the former home of Donald Friend and Donald Murray. Their complex relationship is explored through watercolours, textiles and objects that are sourced directly from the cottage garden.

Jean Bellette Gallery, Hill End

Gabriel Dawe

2011-02-22T00:06:00.000-08:00

I have just come across this amazing Artist. Gabriel Dawe

Designers Guild and Christian lacroix

2011-02-19T17:35:00.000-08:00

Arles fabrics

Two of my favorite designers in a Collaboration.
Designers Guild

Just for Fun

2011-02-19T02:50:00.000-08:00

My daughters Hannah and Lauren went to the Art Gallery of New South Wales to day and Lauren bought me this little guy ( he's a magnet)

The First Emperor China’s entombed warriors

Sturt weave room

2011-02-19T02:41:00.000-08:00

Some happy snaps of Mel's weave class today. Image 2 and 6 are Mel's weavng and image is one of Mel's students using silk and stainless steel yarn. sorry i don't know any names.

A few trips about..

2011-02-19T01:31:00.000-08:00

A couple of little trips I had lately..

The first is from a fabulous 2nd hand/antique/eclectic store in Berrima called 'Peppergreens' (also apparently the store used in 'Babe').

The next is from my friend Helen's place..

This is from her daughter's HSC project.

And this one is going to become a little research project. Apparently it is an exact replication of a Bauhaus fabric. I'd really like to find out who designed and made it.

In other news Belly visited me today at the weave room - and as usual inspired me to do some more work! so hopefully soon I'll have some drawings to put up.

I am sure Mr Lacroix would approve

2011-02-01T13:15:00.000-08:00

Circa 1800's, Lovely Silk Wedding Ensemble w/ Roleaux Work

Melly I found this on that fabulous website you sent me. The textiles on this site are to die for if you like historic textiles. Ok can you imagine this as a woven sample. Worth a bit of thought.
Maria Niforos

Closer - C. Lacroix dress 1996 V&A

And just cause we can have eye candy!

Flickr

Next exhibition inspiration

2011-01-24T13:09:00.000-08:00

How can you not fall in love with theses images. Alexander McQueen was an amazing designer and a great loss to the fashion world with his dead in 2010. I think another exhibition could be here using sea creatures for colour!

Via Trend dela creme
Alexander McQueen

A Stand of Ties

2011-01-23T02:36:00.000-08:00

We visited a vintage store and came across a great stand filled with ties. There were some beautiful jacquards and prints.

--mel

A Grande Day Out

2011-01-23T02:12:00.000-08:00

What a great day we had! Belly visited me in Mittagong today and we made great headway with Lacroix work.

This is Belly's inspiration image.

And her new warp.

My inspiration image.

And a new warp for us both to play on - as well as make a couple of scarves.

This is the image we decided that we would use to make some drawings from - can't wait to see what we come up with - I'm so excited!

--mel

Ok Not Textile Related at All.

2011-01-21T01:35:00.000-08:00

I just came across these images and you know me fell in love with some vintage sparkle.
Via Sweet Jessie

One last photo

2011-01-16T02:08:00.000-08:00

I forgot to post this photo, I came across this store at Santa Monica ( LA). It is a clothing store at a mall, not sure of the name of the mall but it was a corner shop and all the windows were covered in sewing machines.
This is the website Allsaints.

Textile designer

2011-01-15T16:39:00.000-08:00

Melly, I have just found this artist/designer. I love her blog. Karen Barbe have a look. I spent way to much time looking at her blog but did find this fantastic silk weaving mill in Stockholm. Here are some more pictures from another blog of the mill.

image Via Redgate Studios

2010-2011 trip part 2

2011-01-14T17:38:00.000-08:00

from back step to barn

outdoor skating rink in back yard

Katie, Saddie (man's best friend) and I out cross country

2010-2011 trip to Montana for Melly

2011-01-14T17:26:00.000-08:00

Big Mountain in the back ground and Christmas tree in foreground

Chcek furry friends under the trees across the road! This is taken through the window in front room.

Cousin Doug christmas morning

my Aunt Kell and cousin Katie out for our daily ( well almost daily walk )

view to right of above road

Lise Frouland's Sturt Summer School Class

2011-01-13T05:01:00.000-08:00

Summer School 2011 has come and gone in a flurry - and fun was had!

The kids' class I ran was fun but exhausting! The kids did really well - knitting, weaving, braiding, felting - they made more than I ever thought they would. Unfortunately I didn't manage to get any photos as they ran off with their goodies very quickly.

So the next photos are from Lise's class 'Woven Light', using some fantastic materials.

Jenny's weaving in progress. I think she's using cotton, reflective thread, copper thread, glow in the dark and a couple of others. The photo is taken in daylight with a camera flash on so the reflective yarn shows up.

Jenny's finished piece around a painting canvas.

Jenny's finished piece with the camera flash on.

Sue's weaving with reflective thread, cotton and strips of muslin.

Detail.

Another of Sue's pieces, using video tape and other materials.

Diane's weaving, using Theo Morman inlay technique with reflective thread, nylon momofilament, LED lights and other materials.

Diane's work with lights off and flash on.

Scarves that many students made.

And the same with the flash on.

Doormats that some of the students made using an interlocking technique, with light cord threaded through and turned on.

--mel

2011 Planning part 2

2011-01-03T19:54:00.000-08:00

Ok Melly
First things first. I return mid January and need to get the loom working.
So I will email Monique and see if we can make a plan for either a repair or a loom burning!!!
Yes I agree with your plan and I think we should add a few more things but maybe not get to carried away to start.
But I will plan my sample on my trip home. Hmmmm what image am I going to start with. I think my sample plan we discussed on our planning day at Sturt will be my first sample.

Belly

Ps love the rug and maybe I need to do one as well, looking forward to see it in the flesh when I get back. Have fun with the summer school, post some photos and say hi to Lise for me. I hope to meet her before she goes but I don' t think I will. Are you coming to Canberra these holidays? I will be home on the 12 th.

I Finished the Rug and Prep for Summer School

2011-01-03T04:39:00.000-08:00

I finally finished my rug! Well kind of - finished the weaving anyway - I still have to do the edges. I think this is not the best photo of it, as the green is a bit more prominent. I'll try to take some more photos of it later.

This is part of my preparation for a kids' workshop for the Sturt Summer School. It's called 'Bazaar Textiles' and we will be doing some sewing, knitting, felting and weaving if we can fit it all in! I'm busy warping up 11 ridged heddles for them... should be fun I hope!

-- melly

2011 planning

2011-01-03T01:25:00.000-08:00

Ok my Belly - here's a challenge -
- lacroix samples by the end of March
- Artist statement by the end of April
- first exhibition piece/body by the end of May
- applications out by June

how does that sound?

--melly

Iceberg weaving

2010-12-09T18:39:00.000-08:00

Well Mell what do you think? I think these could be fantastic weavings.What do you think? a challange for the summer holidays?

Lacroix

2010-12-03T04:06:00.000-08:00

I love the colours in this suit. How would you translate it Melly?
C Madeleines

Satin weave

2010-11-29T12:42:00.000-08:00

So Melly,
Thoughts are pleats with anchoring rows of satin weave. pleats will be unwoven with glass beads on the warp threads. Thoughts? to start with clear beads with pink satin anchoring passes. Wonder if I could have monfilament in the warp?

Belly

What is Vintage ? and where can it lead weaving projects ?

2010-11-27T23:02:00.000-08:00

I collect vintage clothing, well I have a small collection and they are chosen for the garments design, textile or embellishment. It is an open criteria and is purely an ascetic pleasing to me and not about the garment's designer or previous owner/s which is why most people collect vintage clothing. As I look at my collection and other garments I want to collect there is a theme or design ascetic running through the collection. Its seems to be the 1950's. So to describe some of my garments:

Dress number one ( image 1) is a heavy pink satin which is totally beaded with loops of glass beads.
Dress number two ( Image 2) blue satin with black lace over lay.
Dress number three ( image 3) is a green silk satin jacquard woven pattern fitted with draper sections at the neck and hem. This also come with a matching swing coat.

So if we are looking at contemporary weaving, how would these garments influence a body of work. Looking at dress number one pleats come to mind, beaded pleats these are something I have been researching for a number of years and would like to develop this in to lights or window-wall panels that could emit light collected from the sun. So thoughts turn to the other two garments what could they be?

where oh where has passion gone?

2010-11-25T00:45:00.000-08:00

I am feeling a distinct lack of passion in my life at the moment. So I have begun the search (actually, I seem to start this a lot..hmm) with Pattern (with a definite capital 'P'). Some old friendly favorites and some new..

Kaffe Fasset's fabric designs

Islamic tiling

Rachel Paxton's paintings

Liberty's silk chair

Haroshi's recycled skateboards

So that's a little smattering of my pattern project folder. It's turning into an interesting and eclectic collection. Weird too.

--melly

Finally some weaving

2010-11-13T21:19:00.000-08:00

So I've been playing about with the undulating warp I put on ages ago. And some of the metalic thread we bought a few weeks ago. What do you think? Oh yeah, and because of the nature of the structure, it slippery-slides everywhere. But I actually like it doing that.

Liz Williams - Architects of Cloth

2010-11-13T19:33:00.000-08:00

Craft Australia Living Treasure series

Liz Williamson website

Object Gallery: Education Kit

Sophie Mallebranche

2010-10-28T01:12:00.000-07:00

Two of my favourite things weaviong and metal. I stumbled on this weaver and love her work. it is very simple but at the same time amazingly beautiful.
Sophie Mallebranche

Got to love a red sofa

2010-10-26T02:16:00.000-07:00

Oh Melly don't you just love this! I wish I could have it. But seems its from the UK and I am sure out of my price range I will just admirer it on line. I always figure, no price = can't afford it!
Talisman

Just have to share

2010-10-25T22:19:00.000-07:00

Photographer Jessica Bialek

The Design Files is a fantastic design site and blog and this weeks guest blogger is the Australian Ballet. How could I not share this image? You just have to follow the blog this week it is an exceptional insight into the workshops of the Australian Ballet.
The Design Files
Australian Ballet Guest Blog
The Australian Ballet

Valentino, Retrospective: Past/Present/Future

2010-10-25T01:03:00.000-07:00

Valentino | Evening gown | Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2003, Model 130 | Strapless evening gown with low-set draped pale crimson chiffon sleeves, a train with appliqué pleated crimson taffeta rosettes and red strass crystals in their centres, and pink and grey taffeta rosettes in its lining; fabric: Buche-Guillaud; embroidery: Marabitti | Collection: Valentino Archives | Photograph: Jean Tholance

This weekend was spent in Brisbane so we could see the Valentino show at GOMA Brisbane. It was a fantastic show but the crowds were unbelievable. I could have spent the whole weekend in there if it wasn't for the crowds. So now to pour over the catalogue and wish I was sewing again. We stumble on 2 great fabric shops in Brisbane which were little gems and I didn't get any details as they were both shut when I saw them. So I guess I have to go back to Brissie to find them. I remember one was in an arcade best google it, found it, and it is called Beth-Wyn Couture Fabrics in the Brisbane arcadebut the other eludes me.

Valentino, Retrospective: Past/Present/Future
Belly :)

From Design Concept to Weave Structure

2010-10-19T20:58:00.000-07:00

This was a bit of fun from some of the work I did during my holidays. The starting point was an idea from a book called Caffeine for the Creative Mind - to take photos of as many round objects as possible. That was it really. At the time I had just bought a beautiful Moelskin grid book (*sigh* i do love stationery...) and was discussing design exercises with an architecture student friend of mine. So this is the progression - quite a few leaps in between but that's how play works for me..

The initial round image.

Design play on graph paper.

Weave draft.

This was definitely a fun little exercise - I can think of about 5 other different variations of this draft - was very good for brain exercise!

--mel

Architectural Ornament

2010-10-19T00:51:00.000-07:00

These are a few photos from my ramble around Sydney. I became quite obsessed with photographing these little details - they're everywhere if you look. I do have problems with the style - most of these buildings are built around 1850ish so what is this style? Neo-Greek? Very flourishy.

A few things like this are really making me look at a lot of historical ornamental design. I think it was sparked by reading some of Lacroix's historical influences..

--mel

Great Storage

2010-10-16T17:40:00.000-07:00

I have to say this is a great piece of art and storage all in one. May be this could be a solution for the studio but not to sure how you would keep bugs away. Being out in the country has it's drawbacks. I wish my studio looked like this as well, but how can you be a fluff bunny and have a studio looked this glamorous? Belly
Image came fromover at Table Tonic

Developments in craft and design

2010-10-11T22:07:00.000-07:00

Developments in craft and design

Rugs and Spring and Things

2010-10-04T03:25:00.000-07:00

This post is a little overdue, but I'm trying to catch up on a few things over the holidays.

Most importantly, I have started my rug! I'm enjoying it so much - I'm using colours from our Lacroix exhibition ideas, so I aiming it for that - it may or may not suit the exhibition but either way I'm having fun!

Sprintime at Sturt is always beautiful! This is an exercise I set for a student in my class - a garden colour wheel.
This is a simply enormous peony that somebody picked - so beautiful - about 30cm in diametre.
A wonderfully inspirational Vogue issue - perfect!
These are just some adds from the same issue - inspired me to do some scarf designs from the textures. I'm thinking next year's scarves might include some bunny fur!
--mel

Colour sampling

2010-10-04T00:39:00.000-07:00

A Weekend at Bundanon

2010-10-04T00:36:00.000-07:00

Well here I am, finally writing another blog entry! I took my time!

On the weekend I visited Arthur and Yvonne Boyd's property 'Riversdale' and 'Bundanon' on the Shoalhaven River about 20mins from Nowra, NSW. I organized a group visit with the Friends of Sturt for an overnight stay and play. The 'Riversdale' property is one of the most inspirational places I have visited for a long time - I have been looking forward to it for ages!
So here's a quick tour of how I spent my time...

I started with some spinning looking out over the amazing view, because I hadn't spun for years and I was really missing it. The photo is of some of the other FOS gals.

But what I really loved was going for walks. I followed the creek for a while...
And found some natural weaving!
And settled down under a palm leaf.Where I started noticing the micro-world... as I usually do! - Beautiful, lucsious different types of moss.

And I do love the beautiful details of lichen. This is a great illustration of L-systems which I have been investigating lately.
And beautiful buttons of fungi - I find the different browns in this stunning!
And cute little orange buttons...
And this little stunner in reds - never seen it before.
And I did actually do a little bit of sketching - just some quick linework of the shadows falling on the page.
Had a very rejuvinating time!
--Mel

Beauty and Burlesque

2010-10-04T00:35:00.000-07:00

Devorah Sperber

2010-10-03T15:41:00.000-07:00

After The Mona Lisa 8, 2010, 1482 larger spools of thread, stainless-steel ball chain and hanging apparatus, clear acrylic sphere, metal stand
Dimensions: 68" x 47" (thread only) x 72" d (viewing sphere)

After The Mona Lisa 8 is constructed from 1482 larger spools of thread so the image resolution is very low. Yet when seen through a viewing sphere, the thread spools condense into a recognizable image, conveying how little information the brain needs to make sense of visual imagery it has already been exposed to. At first glance, the thread spool installation appears to be a random arrangement of spools of thread. A clear acrylic sphere placed in front of the work, shrinks and condenses the thread spool "pixels" into a recognizable image while also rotating the imagery 180 degrees like the human eye. This shift in perception functions as a dramatic mechanism to present the idea that there is no one truth or reality, emphasizing subjective reality vs. an absolute truth.

"After Mondrian (Fashion 26)," 2009 - Detail

Medium: 1,632 spools of thread, stainless steel ball chain and hanging apparatus,
and nine hemispherical mirrors mounted on the opposing wall

Commissioned by Wyndham Worldwide
"After Mondrian (Fashion 26)" is now on view in the lobby of the Fashion 26 Hotel on West 26th Street in New York City

After Chuck Close..., 2002-03
chenille stems, foam board, aluminum panel
dimensions variable

Ok Julie Ryder, who is always a fantastic source of knowledge reminded me of this artist. I remembered her as soon as Julie told me about her and it has taken a bit of detective work to find her. Her large works are amazing and as the kids say OMG pixelated! So I think my weaving pieces now need to be much bigger than I thought to get any kind of image going. I think i will start with paint chips samples from the hardware store. I have to say it is all a bit of a coincidence as i am reading David Hockney's Secret knowledge in this book he discusses the camera obscura and optical lenses, then Julie tells me about Devorah amazing.
---Bella

Devorah Sperber
Devorah on Gizmodo