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Archive for December, 2006

Pacific Pattern is Exquisite


I just had to include this book in my Christmas wish list. Pacific Pattern
by Susanne Kuchler and Graeme Were is a beautiful book especially for weavers
and textiles artists.In true ‘pacific colour’ the authors review the history
of the Pacific, the techniques of fibre and fabric and it’s cultural relevance
to the people. Historic photos accompany beautiful contemporary photos of the
arts.Although tatooing and other body decorative arts are included, there is
much more on weaving, quilting and tapa. The bibliography is packed with futher
references – so I am so happy.

I always feel that the Pacific region is very quiet about it’s rich cultural
heritage and we (in Australia) are not exposed to it very much even though many
migrants come from the Pacific. Perhaps its just that I walk around ignoring
things until its ‘all about weaving’! Anyway, the book is very special.

The busy season with weaving trapezes

I’ve been so busy, this time of year that my blogging activities have ground to a halt. Although I’m still weaving quite a bit, its multiples of the same thing on the looms.

However we have installed a trapeze for my next warp. I’m always looking at methods for improving warp tension and making the process more streamlined.

I’ve put it on my roof at the back of my loom and I’m not exactly sure how I’m going to use it! But my current warp was badly wound and has a severe problem at the centre warps which I have to keep cutting and replacing.

I leave you with a Net Greeting for the season. I created this many years ago for Trace Online Writing Community.

Trapze attached to roof
Detail of tapeze attachment

Warping with a Rigid Heddle Reed

Here is a photo montage of my warping process using a rigid heddle reed.
The photos aren’t great but hopefully you will enjoy the idea. It was difficult
to get the action of it all by myself. This is not an unusual method but
it is quite an efficient method of warping.

Photo 1: Four cones of yarn awaiting the warp up.
Photo 2: Each cone is threaded through an ‘eye’ made with
a piece of string.
Photo 3: Each cone of yarn is threaded through the rigid heddle reed as
for plain weave.
Photo 4: This is how it looks within a messy studio!
Photo 5: The reed is then used to make a cross whenever needed on the
warping board or mill.
Photo 6: A cross being made.
 
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