This was an awesome reminder to do what comes in the moment! And the shadow spinning and weaving was mesmerizing. How often we forget our shadow! Which in some philosophical venues means that we are ok with what we carry in our lives. Thank you for sharing your adventures and endeavors Sarah. 😊
That was so lovely Sarah. And the fabric was so airy - perfect for hot summer days. Tavi would agree with Beryl - more pb in the kong please. Happy textiling to you.
Absolutely agree about he kong, on behalf of doggo, of course. There's something so ethereal about open gauzy wool, I don't think we appreciate it enough. Thanks for sharing Sarah.
Thank you so much Sally! I don't have a "coffee" account , but you can sign up to be a paid subscriber (even just for one month), which is kind of the same thing. Or simply read and enjoy.
I loved this post! I haven't been able to weave recently due to 'life changes' and those little clips brought me joy in reminding me of how grounding working with fiber can be. Thank you!
Oh gosh Jill, I'm so sorry about your enforced weaving stoppage -- even as it delights me that that the videos are helpful. For yes -- this work is so elemental it somehow can't help but anchor a gal, as you know.
I noticed the paper clip, with admiration! I have a brass threader which I love. and I loved the shadow work, especially the hem stitching. Interested that you don’t direct warp, but maybe the spun yard makes it harder. ANYWAY I’m so glad you wrote today, because I just came across something that reminded me of you: a documentary of Allan Brown who makes a dress by hand from fiber of foraged stinging nettles over 7 years….and I thought you might be interested! The link: https:://tinyurlcom/4kexhafd. It comes from the Weaver’s Bazzar newsletter, so I think it is safe.
Aha --You're so right! I've been spying them out for years and this spring actually planted some nettles in a wild corner of my yard (both for tea and fiber). The things a gal will do for yarn, eh?
Allan Brown is AMAZING. I've been following his Nettle Dress (and other work) for a long time and am so excited that both he and it are really being noticed. I wonder how many nettle patches will suddenly be producing fiber as a result???? As for the warping -- I feel more relaxed doing it in stages like this. Also I need the loops at the beginning to do the three selvedge thing, which saves yarn and makes such a lovely edge.
This email arrived when I was busy, and I'm glad I waited for a quiet time to read and watch. It's a lovely generous walk through your cloth making, thank you.
I think I need a wider heddle for the next item on my agenda, back strap, home assembled loom, using rigid heddle. The belt is borrowed from a bathrobe, comfortable to lean back against. That's my weird home baked (!) vital item!
Oh gosh that sounds perfect. Using a bathrobe belt for a backstrap is my kind of system. And yes --it is fun to play with width and see how wide feels comfortable. I started out about 4 to 5 inches wide and finally graduated to ten...
I love all you write- 🙏🏽 it does give me inspiration and your adaptations of weaving gives me confidence that you can create without having expensive equipment
Isn't it wonderful to realize this? It took me quite a while, especially in the weaving realm, to see how much I could do, and how pleasurably, while "doing without."
Admire your drive to do your work - beautiful - obviously a labor of love. I so enjoy reading your posts and liooking at your artwork as you draw me into your world.
I've recently wondered how to set up a backstrap loom, i will have to pick your brains or googles !: ) love the dappled sunlight of the summer as well! slowness is a must indeed, love watching your process! :)
I used YouTube. I had to do a lot of searching for a simple way to advance the warp, using a dowel. Once I did it, it seemed so obvious. But I hadn't figured it out without that help. I love backstrap with my bathrobe belt, lengths of pvc pipe and one dowel. Just stuff I had lying around.
Your updates are a treasured part of my week Sarah. Thank you so much for your generosity sharing your life with the rest of us!
Thank you so much!
This was an awesome reminder to do what comes in the moment! And the shadow spinning and weaving was mesmerizing. How often we forget our shadow! Which in some philosophical venues means that we are ok with what we carry in our lives. Thank you for sharing your adventures and endeavors Sarah. 😊
Aren't shadows wild? A glimpse into a parallel self in real time. Thanks for being here Eileen.
Thank you for being here and there!
That was so lovely Sarah. And the fabric was so airy - perfect for hot summer days. Tavi would agree with Beryl - more pb in the kong please. Happy textiling to you.
Never enough PB in the kong, eh? And yes to the airy fabric. Open gauzy wool is astonishing stuff, eh?
Absolutely agree about he kong, on behalf of doggo, of course. There's something so ethereal about open gauzy wool, I don't think we appreciate it enough. Thanks for sharing Sarah.
I read your post with such delight that I’d like to buy you a coffee — how?
Thank you so much Sally! I don't have a "coffee" account , but you can sign up to be a paid subscriber (even just for one month), which is kind of the same thing. Or simply read and enjoy.
I loved this post! I haven't been able to weave recently due to 'life changes' and those little clips brought me joy in reminding me of how grounding working with fiber can be. Thank you!
Oh gosh Jill, I'm so sorry about your enforced weaving stoppage -- even as it delights me that that the videos are helpful. For yes -- this work is so elemental it somehow can't help but anchor a gal, as you know.
I love your quirkiness and your adventures, but above all, I just love your drawings.
Thank you Heather! that means so much.
I noticed the paper clip, with admiration! I have a brass threader which I love. and I loved the shadow work, especially the hem stitching. Interested that you don’t direct warp, but maybe the spun yard makes it harder. ANYWAY I’m so glad you wrote today, because I just came across something that reminded me of you: a documentary of Allan Brown who makes a dress by hand from fiber of foraged stinging nettles over 7 years….and I thought you might be interested! The link: https:://tinyurlcom/4kexhafd. It comes from the Weaver’s Bazzar newsletter, so I think it is safe.
Blessings and thank you. Best to Beryl.
Uh, oh! You just gave Sarah a challenge! I bet she’s already wondering where are some stinging nettles growing? 🤣
I agree…maybe we’ll get to see her make a dress next!
Aha --You're so right! I've been spying them out for years and this spring actually planted some nettles in a wild corner of my yard (both for tea and fiber). The things a gal will do for yarn, eh?
Allan Brown is AMAZING. I've been following his Nettle Dress (and other work) for a long time and am so excited that both he and it are really being noticed. I wonder how many nettle patches will suddenly be producing fiber as a result???? As for the warping -- I feel more relaxed doing it in stages like this. Also I need the loops at the beginning to do the three selvedge thing, which saves yarn and makes such a lovely edge.
Oh, I so enjoy your noticing, watching, doing and just being in the moment...and then there is sharing with the rest of us. So peaceful. Thank you
You are so welcome Susan. Noticing -- practically a full time job sometimes, and ever compelling. Thanks for noticing that!
Love your sharing on the Gusset. they make my my day.
This email arrived when I was busy, and I'm glad I waited for a quiet time to read and watch. It's a lovely generous walk through your cloth making, thank you.
I think I need a wider heddle for the next item on my agenda, back strap, home assembled loom, using rigid heddle. The belt is borrowed from a bathrobe, comfortable to lean back against. That's my weird home baked (!) vital item!
Oh gosh that sounds perfect. Using a bathrobe belt for a backstrap is my kind of system. And yes --it is fun to play with width and see how wide feels comfortable. I started out about 4 to 5 inches wide and finally graduated to ten...
Mesmerizing...that was the word that came to my mind, as well--even before I read Eileen's comments...
Thanks Deborah. It's pretty mesmerizing to do it too. Though I'm a crazy huge fan of simple repetitive activities :-)
The shadow weavers of time and space.
Similar to the shadow dancers of Tiland..wonderful events to the weave..a dance of the shadows..all the best
I love all you write- 🙏🏽 it does give me inspiration and your adaptations of weaving gives me confidence that you can create without having expensive equipment
Isn't it wonderful to realize this? It took me quite a while, especially in the weaving realm, to see how much I could do, and how pleasurably, while "doing without."
Admire your drive to do your work - beautiful - obviously a labor of love. I so enjoy reading your posts and liooking at your artwork as you draw me into your world.
Thank you Cleo. That drive is a fascinating thing--so present and persistent. Vocation and avocation in one. How lucky is that?
I've recently wondered how to set up a backstrap loom, i will have to pick your brains or googles !: ) love the dappled sunlight of the summer as well! slowness is a must indeed, love watching your process! :)
I used YouTube. I had to do a lot of searching for a simple way to advance the warp, using a dowel. Once I did it, it seemed so obvious. But I hadn't figured it out without that help. I love backstrap with my bathrobe belt, lengths of pvc pipe and one dowel. Just stuff I had lying around.
Youtube --what a wondrous source it is! And yes. Stuff lying around is the BEST.
Yes! The university of Youtube!