Well planning ahead can be a delicious part of the process -- and can certainly be a great way to avoid missteps so is a grand way to proceed. I just get stymied when the attempts at control lead to paralysis, so am always kind of thrilled when the materials say, "hey, let's play!"
How big is your biggest galvanized loom? I want to make a bigger one but only found plans for small ones. I am sure I would need a thicker pipe, yes? Thanks. Love your work so much. Hugs
My biggest top and bottom pipe pieces are 1 1/2" diameter and 54" wide. If I'm using them I still use 1" pipe for the sides though -- because I have them and because the thicker pipe is heavy! The big galvanized looms are basically the same as the little ones only sized uyp. Here is a blog post I wrote a while ago with some more info: https://www.afieldguidetoneedlework.com/blog-2014-2021/galvanized-pipe-looms
Thank you. I am going to try and build one. I want a bigger tapestry loom (4’),but they are very hard to find used. Looks like a trip to the hardware store is in my near future. 💕
A fresh warp is always the start of a new journey, all the more exciting when there is no itinerary that you have to obey, and you can stop and smell the roses, and explore over any little hill that takes your fancy. Weaving is an adventure in portraying the unknown, each stitch to be taken in your own time. May you have a long and windy road to travel down!
As ever, it’s your footnotes that often teach me essentials, such as understanding why my small tentative steps in tapestry weaving often lead me into puzzling missteps. Often I see work by accomplished people that just make me sigh with wonder. I recently saw work by Susan Hufton, whose calligraphy I had heard of, but then saw some woven lettering - alas only virtually- that she had made, using vellum strips, apart from other things. I immediately thought of you, and if you are interested to see, you could ‘search’ her name, as I don’t know how to forward a link…thanks as ever, from Autumnal Scotland
Oh yay! So happy to hear this. I love tucking things into the footnotes and it's a delight to know that they have been helpful. And Oh my, thank you for Susan Hufton. Her lettering blows me away -- woven and otherwise.
I learned some things about using hill/valley weft turns from this post … thank you!
My favorite tapestry learning these days occurs when I read or see little technical suggestions that give me a “Wow! That makes so much sense!” moment and can immediately apply to my own weaving. Putting valley wefts at the apex of a curve was that moment today. Also, you reminded me of how making direction weft changes on a valley when weaving curves can also create a smoother line.
Weaving beautiful smooth curves is an underrated skill. Your post built on some techniques I learned elsewhere in another weaving course last month.
Again … thank you! I’m grateful to learn from your posts.
Lately, planning ahead just makes me anxious. I enjoy weaving so much more without a plan, playing with colors and/or textures. But…now thinking (after reading this) it might be most satisfying to have 1 of each in progress!!!!
I too ,are trying to use up, clear out and simplify. Moving from a house to an apartment and have to downsize considerably . I have aqyired too much fibre but find it hard to let go.
Oh gosh -- it is so hard to let things go-- especially materials that are just waiting for the perfect moment. As I clear out, I keep trying to decide which things are about the future and which about the past, what I feel I need to keep out of obligation and what wants to accompany me into the future land of possibility-- and where on earth the balance lies. Tricky in all ways to be sure. It's fun though, to imagine being on the other side of it...
The cartoon of you & Beryl sitting atop your looms is just the best. Another wondrous post and links to more that I shall explore as I find my way around the curves of a sun.
It is always one pick, on stitch, one loop or one step. The slowness of it all!
It is always one pick, on stitch, one loop or one step. I love the slowness of it all!
i love how you are guided by your materials. I am trying to learn from you, and not have to be so darn "plan ahead controlling". Thank you.
Well planning ahead can be a delicious part of the process -- and can certainly be a great way to avoid missteps so is a grand way to proceed. I just get stymied when the attempts at control lead to paralysis, so am always kind of thrilled when the materials say, "hey, let's play!"
"... —the looms themselves remind me (once again) that my task is not to impose but to notice."
- Sarah Swett
“Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.”
- Mary Oliver
I think we all knew looms were poetic, didn't we? Can't wait to see where these looms take you!
Oh goh Ellen. Thank you for this!
How big is your biggest galvanized loom? I want to make a bigger one but only found plans for small ones. I am sure I would need a thicker pipe, yes? Thanks. Love your work so much. Hugs
My biggest top and bottom pipe pieces are 1 1/2" diameter and 54" wide. If I'm using them I still use 1" pipe for the sides though -- because I have them and because the thicker pipe is heavy! The big galvanized looms are basically the same as the little ones only sized uyp. Here is a blog post I wrote a while ago with some more info: https://www.afieldguidetoneedlework.com/blog-2014-2021/galvanized-pipe-looms
Thank you. I am going to try and build one. I want a bigger tapestry loom (4’),but they are very hard to find used. Looks like a trip to the hardware store is in my near future. 💕
That grey curve is just delicious! I'm excited to see where these sibling tapestries take you.
A fresh warp is always the start of a new journey, all the more exciting when there is no itinerary that you have to obey, and you can stop and smell the roses, and explore over any little hill that takes your fancy. Weaving is an adventure in portraying the unknown, each stitch to be taken in your own time. May you have a long and windy road to travel down!
That's it exactly. Thank you Caroline.
Not sure if the wee grey hill found you, or you found it ... But I do like it!
As ever, it’s your footnotes that often teach me essentials, such as understanding why my small tentative steps in tapestry weaving often lead me into puzzling missteps. Often I see work by accomplished people that just make me sigh with wonder. I recently saw work by Susan Hufton, whose calligraphy I had heard of, but then saw some woven lettering - alas only virtually- that she had made, using vellum strips, apart from other things. I immediately thought of you, and if you are interested to see, you could ‘search’ her name, as I don’t know how to forward a link…thanks as ever, from Autumnal Scotland
Oh yay! So happy to hear this. I love tucking things into the footnotes and it's a delight to know that they have been helpful. And Oh my, thank you for Susan Hufton. Her lettering blows me away -- woven and otherwise.
That was satisfying to read.
I learned some things about using hill/valley weft turns from this post … thank you!
My favorite tapestry learning these days occurs when I read or see little technical suggestions that give me a “Wow! That makes so much sense!” moment and can immediately apply to my own weaving. Putting valley wefts at the apex of a curve was that moment today. Also, you reminded me of how making direction weft changes on a valley when weaving curves can also create a smoother line.
Weaving beautiful smooth curves is an underrated skill. Your post built on some techniques I learned elsewhere in another weaving course last month.
Again … thank you! I’m grateful to learn from your posts.
And we should all use up & simplify!
Now that is fantastic to hear. I'm SO glad--and couldn't agree more about the deliciousness of smooth curves, both to look at and to make.
Lately, planning ahead just makes me anxious. I enjoy weaving so much more without a plan, playing with colors and/or textures. But…now thinking (after reading this) it might be most satisfying to have 1 of each in progress!!!!
This two loom thing is really surprising me-- the spontaneous one somehow making more space for me to relax into the planning of the other. Who knew?
I too ,are trying to use up, clear out and simplify. Moving from a house to an apartment and have to downsize considerably . I have aqyired too much fibre but find it hard to let go.
Oh gosh -- it is so hard to let things go-- especially materials that are just waiting for the perfect moment. As I clear out, I keep trying to decide which things are about the future and which about the past, what I feel I need to keep out of obligation and what wants to accompany me into the future land of possibility-- and where on earth the balance lies. Tricky in all ways to be sure. It's fun though, to imagine being on the other side of it...
The cartoon of you & Beryl sitting atop your looms is just the best. Another wondrous post and links to more that I shall explore as I find my way around the curves of a sun.
Oh gosh thanks dear Linda!
I taught myself to weave up two warps and the same time- on the same loom! For a double sided tapestry. Leaves have two sides, adaxial and abaxial !
How utterly cool that sounds. Brilliant.