Back in Business

Well I'm still half on Canberra and half in Wingello but it's getting there :)
The loom is all set up in Wingello and was awaiting the new part - which arrived the day before yesterday and we successfully installed it. In order to test it properly, I just had to put a quick warp on!


I had to design something fairly quick to thread and weave. It's just simple - 2/20s wool, a little bit of overtwisted wool and thick silk noil in the weft. Sett at a measley 5epcm and same for weft. Verrigated dyed warp - and piece dying to happen post weaving. Narrow selvedges, strip of plain in the middle and some floats happening on both sides where the overtwist is.
Was very happy at my time challenge - best time was 1 scarf in an hour and 15 minutes! The others were a bit slower though.
So I have about an hour left of weaving to do, then cut it off and dye and catch the train by 2pm!





--melly

Digital Jacquard

I'm very excited! I'm in a book!
Julie Holyoke is one of the lecturers at Fondazione Arte della Seta Lisio and has written an amazingly informative book on weave structures and fabrics in jacquard. It really is a fantastic resource for anyone interested in weaving.
I'm very flattered that some of my pieces were included.

--melly

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

Oh the Horror! (or Loom Moving Day)

It had to happen. The last of the studio had to be moved.
Mizzley (more than mist, not quite drizzle) was the day. But Sturt was still pretty!


I didn't really have too much time to take many photos as my to helpers were all go. They decided that they wanted to move it with the frame mostly intact if possible This photo is of it mostly stripped down. It was eventually wrapped in a massive amount of bubble wrap and plastic to protect it.


Doors are always a problem. The inner doors to the studio came off and the door extension easily came off thankfully. This next photo is alarming. My poor baby had to go on her side! Did I also mention that even stripped down, this sucker is very heavy? With three of us under it we only just made it.


So now it's safe and sound in its temporary abode. Mum has some curtains that she wants to weave. So a big thanks to my helpers (Dad and Dave, my brother).
Onward!
--melly

Progress

Well was having a great time getting some weaving done. I have a twisted thread and thought I would go for a little walk to help my back before I tackled the mess. As I stepped out the studio door I almost stepped on a very large black snake. So after the panic subsided I have come home.

I have woven about 70cm. I am not happy with the white linen warp but maybe I will dye it.

Studio Closed due to catastrophic fire danger

Well so much for the threading being done before I go away for the weekend. The studio complex has been closed for 2 days so far due to the horrible fire danger here. It is very sad to see areas of Australia burning and to see people loosing their homes and in the worst cases their lives.

So to put it in perspective not being able to get to the studio is minor in comparison. The image is of a dress my daughter has and I love the fabric very much and would love to weave
 something like it one day.