Inaugural Warping
It had to happen – the inaugural warp for my Toika loom. What a dream it was to wind on. The warping basically involved sitting at the from and winding onto the back warp beam through a raddle placed in the beater. I have never warped this way before but getting a new loom is sort of like learning to weave again….trying new ways, thinking new strategies. Syne also found this with her new loom.
I dived into a chenille painted warp with unmixed colours. Wildly interweaving vivid softness incorporating a very fine Irish linen weft. Although I really like the soft drape of all chenille I just ‘felt’ like a touch of the crisp within.
And herein lies my new year’s resolution – to feel more. The textiles we wear are really an extension of our skins. It’s how we learn much about texture and touch.
Some children’s books have textile touch swatches in them to make the book sensory beyond hearing and seeing. Handweavers can create fabrics that promulgate seeing, touch and smell (eg. the patchouli in paisley shawls from India).
Beyond technical knowledge of textile construction is the intuitive approach to textile design. An approach that doesn’t need proof of success before I start to sample or even attempt to set up the loom.
Happy New Year to all….what is your weave resolution!
Hi, Kaz,
Congratulations on the new loom. I’ve a few friends using the computer-assisted Toika, and they all LOVE them. I’m sure you will too.
Cheers – Sandra
Great to see the new loom in action Kaz. I hope it brings you great joy.
Kas, the loom is breathtaking. How marvelous is the photo of logs? Makes one consider the dendridic effect — from roots, to sapling, to tree, to loom, to warp, to fabric: each in their own stage bearing witness as life happens around them.
The warp is luscious, and your love of the new loom already shows — you’re “beaming.” !!
Wishing you a creative and joy filled 2009.
Cheers,
Jane
is a nice looking warp that.
your loom reminds me, my weaving resolution is to learn to weave sectionally onto my big warp drum.
it’s true what you say about every loom being different to warp up. mind when warping up was a nightmare? i’ve just started tackling my big loom and have been reminded of this after half a year getting used to a table loom and finding warping becoming a matter of simple routine instead of a mind-boggling mess of twists and knots like it is now. humph.
perseverance is the key
i’m sure you’ll all agree
-hb
he was a poet, and he didn’t know it
he had a snotty nose, but he wouldn’t blow it
happy new year
what a beautiful blog you have made with the beautiful weavings and stories from around the world.
Happy new year, Kaz. How exciting to have the new loom all set up and in use. It looks beautiful.
Amanda