The Big Fat Weavers Block

I have a big fat case of ‘weavers block’ at the moment. Any suggestions? With the studio still closed due to the restrictions I haven’t got human energy and flow of weavers coming in so I think this is partly responsible for the ‘weavers block’! One would think that time alone would be very productive, but no…just the opposite, at least for me.

At one point I reverted to going mad with Origami instructions in Japanese. I don’t read Japanese which makes it tricky. I picked up a book on Hydrangea Origami by Shuzo Fujimoto when I was in Japan and finally worked out some more of the detailed patterns in it. Origami is very relaxing but the house is starting to fill up with them. That’s ok but a little over the top.

I’ve also spend endless hours creating the perfect block for my personalised sewing patterns. And it really is endless. I’m up to my 7th iteration of bodice adjustments. What a funny body I must have! Although I’ve developed many blocks over the years I wanted to really pin it down this time and did the In House patterns course. I highly recommend it too, especially if you are a sewist ready to get fitting right.

Anything to avoid weaving it seems. Although I am still weaving and winding and preparing there is something that takes me into other worlds with an energy I lack with intensive weaving at the moment. I’ve taken renewed delight in just being and immersing my self in the ordinary days. Happiness is being in a rut.

I know that to move a block you just turn up and do. I decided to turn up but weave on my inkle loom to get that immediate strong colour hit that the warp faced bands give me. Colour is a soothing medicine for me. I’ve done alot of inkle loom weaving in my life but was refreshed with Annie MacHale, a long time inkler’s book on plain weave patterned bands. The book is really well done and has direct links to an online pattern designer which is an intuitive and easy tool to use.

Inkle band weaves
skeins awaiting

The colours in these bands are so intoxicating that I moved to start dyeing again. See I think one thing leads to another when you are blocked but we have to just turn up and do the work!

This means lots of winding which I tend to put off all the time but if I can get motivation from the lovely colourful inkles out of the skein winding it’s worth it.

Motivation is what it is all about. But, in my humble opinion, you don’t need it just to do. Just turn up for the process or work on the byways of weaving or art to help lead you back. At least that is what seems to be working for me at the moment.


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4 responses to “The Big Fat Weavers Block”

  1. Charlene Avatar
    Charlene

    I am having a lot of the same feelings as you are. For me I seem to think if I knew WHY I was weaving it might get me moving.

    I have tried a few gamps and samples to see if any of them would be my new shiney object.

    Good luck, for those of us who have had busy and satisfying creative lives – a halt is a terrible thing.

  2. Meg Avatar

    I find when you’re not doing “it” but keep coming up with “peripheral” (to those of us who think weaving is the main game,) stuff, the brain is working but I just don’t know it. I feel the difference when I’m just not interested vs something cooking in the back burner. But then again, I go on not weaving for months from time to time, so perhaps there is no comparison.

  3. Curiousweaver Avatar

    Hello Charlene
    Thanks for your comment.Your’re right a ‘halt’ in something that is part of you is disturbing!

  4. Curiousweaver Avatar

    Hi Meg
    Even though a block on weaving itself is disturbing, I do enjoy the peripheral immensely. It broadens my outlook and approach to my work and I accept this too. I think your summer and winter piece is lovely!

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