Fabric

Enough of the dog already.
Next weekend is Professional Weavers Network annual seminar in Auckland and after seminar we're having a workshop on designing/styling fabric/garments from handwoven cloth with Sue Scarf so I thought it time I got out my fabric stash and fulled it, finished it and had a jolly good look.  Both pieces have been maturing in the fabric stash cupboard for some time.  Do you know they do improve with age!  I rather like them now, can see possibilities.

This is wool, teal and anenome stripes with a variegated stripe every so often.  For some reason I threaded it and wove it with a space every 2 inches of about half an inch and of course the threads moved to fill the gaps.  I can imagine it with a contrasting (maybe hot pink) lining peeping through the spaces.  There is at least 5 metres.  A jacket is the obvious style but maybe a long tunic top.

The second bolt I wove so long ago I couldn't remember which loom I used until I saw the network drafted pattern so it must have been on the dobby and that must be two or three years ago.  Yikes!
Its mostly cotton with one acrylic thread which didn't shrink and has made little loops at irregular intervals - I think that's why it was never made up.  Again there is about 5 metres and I had planned to use a Burda pattern for a shirt with a tie feature at the front.  Hmmm.  Apologies for the photos but if I went back to try again this would never be posted.  You can just see the networking on the blue bolt.

Ben

Look what I've got!

 

Actually he's just on loan for the night.  He hates cars and his Mum has to go to Auckland once a week and if he's left at home he does naughty things and if he's taken in the car he gets up to mischief.  So his Mum says he can go to a caring home where he doesn't have to travel or be left on his own.  I'd keep him myself if I wasn't so transient.

On the fibre front it's a bit dismal.  Went to the Whangamata market on the last Sunday of January (Auckland Anniversary weekend) and sold absolutely nothing.  Mind you the humidity levels were very high (who wants to touch wool), the day had been changed from the usual Saturday to Sunday, and as it was wet the organiser had crammed tables in.  I'm in the foyer with 4 stalls in all, this time there were 7!   Shall I try again at Easter - million dollar question!

This weekend just gone the Katikati Art and Craft Trail had a special two days.  Every studio had to be open 10 - 6 each day.  I didn't mind the hours as I got a lot of work done but I only saw two people on each day and no sales.  I am 20Km from Katikati so guess that's not going to work either.

Exhibition weaving and spinning

I'm still weaving away most days.  Have 4 sofa throws ready to go to Pauanesia next week and am working away at the clear filament projects for my exhibition later in the year.  It   is   so   slow!  I can't see if the threads are crossed, I place them neatly in the shed, close and beat, and sprong, they're all over the place and the selvedges ... just don't look, organic might describe them.  I seem to remember from the last time I used this fibre thinking if the shuttles (stick) drop one more time the whole lot's going out the window.  I was pretty close to it this afternoon!  So what do you do? take a long walk along the beach, that's what.  Relieves the spirit and the muscle tension.

Found this on my camera when looking for another photo.  This is the filament warp before winding on the loom, with many choke ties.

Remember the pile of compost (thrums) in a previous post, about three posts back I think.  Part of it is now yarn mixed with all sorts of things I found in the cupboard, combed silk, sari silk threads, Italian silk throwsters, slivers I deconstructed to pinch the blue.  I plied it with a very fine (Tex 1/18) navy blue cashmere I had to hand to emphasise the handspun variety.  I have about 220 metres so what will that make?

Handspinning

   

I have been doing fibrey stuff.  I hope there is enough of the blue/brown to knit a pair of socks and I don't know what the teal will become but it has been half spun for years so will be good to look at yarn instead of sliver, there's about 400 gm.

I have been dyeing wool and mohair for sofa throws for Pauanesia, two are woven and ready for wet finishing and tying the next set on the loom.  Also working on exhibition project and I thought I could do some sewing for myself in between times ...!  Never enough time!

Markets

Last Sunday, a glorious hot, non-windy summers day, I had a stand at the Whiritoa market, held each year to raise funds for the "first response" unit.  I didn't sell a thing, not even close.  I new it was a gamble as most of my work is wool though I do have a few cotton wraps and scarves. 
So I have made the decision - no more outdoor markets - which means I don't have to purchase a pergola.
I am booked at the Whangamata market at the end of January but indoors.  Its still a bit early for woollen sales but this market is held each long weekend and if you don't attend you lose your prime spot.  My space is next to my friend with her jewelery and we help each other and natter.
Other fibrey news, well I've had a lovely visit from my daughter this week and she helped me go through my wardrobe as I was complaining it was full of clothes but I had nothing to wear.  We put all the winter things,    and a few garments I hope to shrink into soon, to one side and then had two piles; what I can wear and "Sallies" (thats the Salvation Army).  Next morning I still couldn't find anything to wear!  Seems I badly need beach clothes so now I know what has to be made or bought.   I better get to it!

Look what I got

Look what I got for Christmas.  I've read it cover to cover, twice.  This is an excellent book, a very easy read but full of wonderful information from wheel types to designing your own designer yarn and how to get there in between.  Its about deciding what yarn you want and how to create it whether worsted, woollen, designer or plain.  I've been to workshops with Pat and the book reads as though she is standing at my shoulder helping me get the yarn I want.  There are two very useful pages talking about fleece types and breeds of New Zealand sheep which I'm sure anyone from other countries could substitute with their own  breeds.  A must have for any spinners library available from Majacraft.

This pile of "compost" is the thrums left from my last woven blanket and could be my next designer yarn if I can be brave enough to risk life and limb climbing an extension ladder to the attic to use my drum carder.  That's how inspired I've been by this gem of a book.

Whats on the looms

Meg suggested we show whats on our looms on New Years Day.  I'm a bit late, as usual, but did photograph  my Bambina yesterday.

 

Not that I'm going to say much as its an exhibition piece.  Its double weave, clear monofilament thead of unknown origin and the knitting needles mark a slot just big enough for the hanging rod.

My other ladies are naked!