For many many years I colaborated with Pauanesia shop in Auckland to weave blankets. Heather gave me a brief and I was free to interpret it and most times we were on the same page. Unfortunately Pauanesia closed last year and I was left floundering a bit trying to find my own voice.
I rethreaded Maude, the Oxabach loom, to a twill pattern of my design on 16 shafts but could not get the selvedges to play ball. It was fine treadling shafts 1 to 16 but coming back 15 to 1 if didn't work. I put a call out for help and it was suggested I try satin but no luck.
The mohair I was using for the weft was very old but wove up beautifully and the colour was perfect for my bed so wonky selvedges and all I decided to keep it for myself. When it came off the loom I pulled out the outside thread on each side and needle threaded it back into every mohair fold on the edge and, after fulling, it didn't look too bad.
But I couldn't sell blankets like that so back to the design software and rethreaded Maude with a 12 shaft twill and 2 extra shafts for a tabby selvedge. Of course I wove a complete blanket, 2.20metres long before noticing a threading mistake. Six missing threads!
Some extra heddles to the rescue and we were finally weaving luxurious mohair blankets.
These represent the Kotare or Kingfisher with its bright blue and turquoise back and yellow breast.
