Warp Finished

Belinda Jessup, double warp 2015

Belinda Jessup, double warp 2015

Belinda Jessup, double warp 2015

Well I have finished the double warp. Finally!  It has been 
finished for a few weeks and I just haven't had a chance to post the 
finial images. Mel took some photos as I was cutting the warp off which 
was lucky as I didn't think to. I was at the point of I just wanted it off 
the loom. I have been working on some machine embroidery so I haven't 
as yet put another warp on the loom but hope to in the next day or so.
I am thinking some baby blankets so a new grand baby and a few extras
for some friends having babies. 

Mammoth warp started

Well mammoth for me. I wound this warp some years ago, by some I mean maybe 7 years ago and about 50 mts long  if my memory is correct. Now that is embarrassing isn't it. I think I have been frightened of it and didn't quite know how to wind it on the loom. It is a double warp, one wool and the second one is silk. This section is silk I thought  it would be easier to wind on by my self. Although I have started it a few times I think it may have beaten me. Maybe I will bribe my daughter for help. I am hoping to play with felting and interesting textures. Stay tuned!

Starting to wind the 50 mt silk warp, what was I thinking ?

50 mt  silk warp. New production warp

Production and Collection

These are a couple of examples of my new silk and hemp scarves - open weave with some pattern in part of them - a nice light summer weight.

This photo is of a great find from a garage sale last weekend - tea cards on 'British Costume' from 1050AD to 1967. I'm guessing they are about 60s vintage. Not quite the full set but only missing 3 or 4 cards. Very cute!

--mel

Washed

A little helper, pre washed

In the hot tub

Washed and drying

Ready to have the fringe finished

The first production scarf woven

wool, linen, silk/stainless steel, copper, silk, pre-finished, Belinda Jessup

wool, linen, silk/stainless steel, copper, silk, pre-finished, Belinda Jessup 

Well I have woven the first scarf off, and am reasonably happy with it. I am not to sure about the white linen weft so may end up popping it in a dye pot at some point.

The measurements on the loom were 56cm wide x 231cm long. I am about to do the finishing so will add more info and images after

New warp started

Warp being wound on back beam. Over twisted wool, linen copper and silk/stainless steel. So I didn't use any of the warp selections I chose, so will have to post another picture of final choice

Ready to find the cross.

Threading started.

Over twisted wool - GRRRRRRRR

Will I have the warp threaded through the headles, it has taken 4 days and there is not a lot of threads its just been so hot in the studio that I can only stay about an hour each time. Unfortunately  I have not been about to go out early morning when it would be a bit cooler so a hour at a time  it had to be. Better than nothing.
 The over twisted wool is a real bugger and has a mind of its own and not a good mind at that.
 The warp is 8 metres so I should get 3 scarves and hopefully a sample to play with.

Mel fixing the loom again. It does not like you to change patterns, as soon as you remove and replace the pegs and lags poof it takes hours of readjusting to get it going again.

Still getting the design right and loom working properly

Warp Choices

Choice 1, L to R, Linen, Japanese man made thread (blue) over spun wool, and silk

Choice 2, L to R, Tencel, Japanese man made thread, over spun wool and silk

Choice 3, L to R, Linen, linen, lurex thread, cotton? ( need to do burn test) over spun wool and silk

So its decision time! I am about to start a production warp and Think I will put on a small production warp to get started. This one will be for 5 scarves. I pulled a number of cones today to make a decision as to what I will weave. I am thinking simple Lacroix ruffles using a number of different yarn types and gaining the ruffles with over twisted threads.

First choice: is still winning as a selection but I  may swap natural coloured linen for bleached linen. Choice 2 colour combination is more pleasing at this point hence swapping the 2 linens around.

Some Weaving for Winter

Ok so it's not winter yet, but I am trying to be good with my production weaving. I confess, I did enjoy these scarves - and I was making myself do a time trial. 5 scarves in 2 days from warping to finishing. But I did come home and collapse on the couch after!