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Fraidy Cat

I have generally tried to cultivate an optimistic attitude of “what’s the worst that could happen?” in weaving and in life.  Having had a pretty stable, secure upbringing and young life, it was an easy attitude to maintain across the board. As I move into my sixth decade I realize that “the worst” in life can be very bad, but the great thing about weaving is that the “worst” is a wasted warp and little more.  So, what’s there to be afraid of?  Nothing . . . .

except Drawlooms!!

Somehow the Drawloom “loomed” in my imagination as a scary, layered network of complicated heddles and pulleys and potential disasters . . . yikes! Well recently I was given an opportunity to conquer my fears in the absolutely best way possible.  Becky Ashendon gives drawloom classes at her family home in one of the most lovely settings in New England.  The looms fill every room of half the house, and they are PRE-WARPED!!! So Becky has pre-slain (ha!) the drawloom dragon for you.  You can select a loom – all are warped using a different technique featured here:

http://www.vavstuga.com/classes/desc-drawlooms.shtml

And all that is required of you the weaver, is to design and weave.  The options are amazing, and after a failed-ish idea for a design (I wanted to weave graphic depictions of weave structures – I think it might still be a good idea – more thought about how to design them).  I wove this:

busy bees queen beeBecky has a million books of motifs to refer to for design ideas, and after weaving a few wee bees from a book, I graphed out my own queen bee. It was so much fun and all the daunting aspects of working on a drawloom have been very compassionately done for the fraidy cat. Highly recommended!

In sewing news (I always felt that there should be a crafts equivalent of all the sports news. Wouldn’t it be great is you turned on the radio and heard, “Today in the wide world of weaving . . .) I have been putting some of the yardage for the “Shifting Threads” class I will be teaching in September into use:

Bags! Batch Pad Pillow Cute Case 2 Cute Case

The idea is to have nice projects for small amounts of yardage (should less than a yard be called footage?) I am still working on the “potential” pillows below. . . more inkling needed. . .

pillow possible Potential pillows

And on a final note – Goodbye Doc Anjelou – the world will miss you mightily.

Listen to yourself and in that quietude you might hear the voice of God. Maya Anjelou

 

 

COMMENTS
  • May 29, 2014
    reply

    Hi Lisa…
    What fun with the bees! Is there a draw loom in your future?

    You know that my favorites are the pillow tops…still loving that draft and its versatility.

    Bag patterns….there are some cute patterns at Craft Passion:
    http://www.craftpassion.com/2014/04/tablet-carrier-bag.html/2

    And these little pyramid bags can be made bigger to hold spindles, sock knitting, or small weaving paraphernalia:
    http://www.craftpassion.com/2011/06/triangle-coin-purse-with-zipper.html

    And there’s this triangle bag on Make:
    http://makezine.com/craft/how-to-triangle-bag/

    fun stuff…

  • May 31, 2014
    reply

    Laurie Mrvos

    Hi Lisa!
    Beautiful work and I admire your attempts with the drawloom. I’m so envious of your proximity to Becky’s. Maybe someday……

    I love how you use your inkle bands in your pieces. I’m considering purchasing an inkle loom, and was wondering which one you use? Thank you!

      • June 2, 2014
        reply

        Thanks for the information, Lisa. Love the hint on the Teksolv tapestry heddles!

      • June 2, 2014
        reply

        Hi Lisa – one more question – would those Teksolv heddles be the ones I see for sale for Mirrex looms?

          • June 2, 2014

            Laurie Mrvos

            Great Advice. Thanks so much for taking the time! (and sorry for so many questions!) I was just admiring your apron in a past issue of handwoven. I so loved how the inkle band offset the lovely apron.

  • May 31, 2014
    reply

    I laughed when I read there is nothing to be afraid of… except drawlooms!

    When I purchased my Glimakra I had the opportunity to buy a drawloom but didn’t – as a new weaver it didn’t seem wise lol. I know where it is and I might just buy it when I’m ready. Which might not be for some time considering my current enjoyment of plain weave!

    I really love your little projects – attention to detail can really elevate a project and you are right on the money I think!

  • June 1, 2014
    reply

    marlene toerien

    HI yes again I am envious, but we have Waltraud 10 shaft & 72 shaft damask looms, as well as a shaft switching loom, it is just at the moment there is not time to go and weave at her studio maybe next year. Your work is beautiful

      • June 4, 2014
        reply

        marlene toerien

        Yes she is a treasure even at the age of 93, we are so lucky to have her in our lives

  • March 21, 2018
    reply

    Brenda Goosby

    I would love to purchase your bee draft. Is it for sale

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