Weaverly

Classes

Network Drafting
An intermediate level workshop covering an introduction to network drafting for 8-shafts (principles may be applied to more shafts). The class is open to weavers who know how to read and interpret a weaving draft, can thread and operate a loom by themselves, and are familiar with the basics of their weaving software. May 9-11, 2019. For more information, www.loftyfiber.com
Explore Color and Texture on Your Rigid Heddle Loom
Wednesday afternoons, 1-4 p.m., taught at OLLI, Furman University, January 16 through March 6. Participants to supply their own rigid heddle looms. Supply list given. Contact me at aschlein[at]att[dot]net for more information.

Books

The Woven Pixel: Designing for Jacquard and Dobby Looms Using Photoshop®
Co-authored by Alice Schlein and Bhakti Ziek. 362 pages, many illustrations. Now available for free download on handweaving.net. The accompanying CD with 1400 pattern presets is not included with the free download, but may be purchased separately. Email me at aschlein[at]att[dot]net for more information.
The Liftplan Connection: Designing for Dobby Looms With Photoshop® and Photoshop Elements®
By Alice Schlein. Build your own weave library. Design liftplans for your dobby loom. 157 pages, spiral bound, many illustrations. Now available as print-on-demand from www.lulu.com.
Network Drafting: An Introduction
By Alice Schlein. Break away from the block. Curves for your dobby loom. Originally published in 1994, now available as print-on-demand from www.lulu.com.

Monographs

Lampas for Shaft Looms
Class notes from Complex Weavers Seminars 2016, newly revised and formatted, in pdf form for download. A review of methods for designing your own lampas fabrics for treadle looms, table looms, and dobbies, eight shafts and above. Over 90 color photos of actual fabrics with drafts. Includes info on pickup lampas and a lampas bibliography. View on a computer, or print out one copy for your own use. USD$21. via PayPal. Email aschlein[at]att[dot]net for ordering info.
A Crepe Is Not Just a Pancake
52 pages of text, b&w and color diagrams, and drafts for multishaft tradle & dobby looms. Many color photos of actual cloth. Methods for drafting your own crepe weaves. Annotated bibliography. Pdf available for immediate download. $21. USD. Payment by PayPal. Email me at aschlein[at]att[dot]net for payment instructions.
Echo Weave
Based on the 1996 article in Weaver's, Issue 32. With brand new diagrams and high resolution scans of original fabrics. Pdf available for immediate download. $7. USD. Payment by PayPal. Email me at aschlein[at]att[dot]net for payment instructions.

May 22, 2019

Dallas

We've just returned from a trip to Dallas to visit old friends. Here are just a few of the interesting venues we took in, in between some of the best restaurants we have ever dined at.

The Bishop Arts District, great place for strolling, where I spotted this succinct statement on diversity:

The Perot Museum of Nature and Science, where Nathan Sawaya's mind boggling exhibit of sculptural works executed al in Lego blocks, "The Art of the Brick," had us (and hundreds of school kids) enthralled. Here is the Bayeux Tapestry, Lego style.

At the Nasher Sculpture Center we enjoyed seeing Sheila Hicks's "Seize, Weave Space."

Posted at 10:49 AM in Architecture, Art, Travel, Weaving | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 15, 2019

Brocade & Rigid Heddle

This morning I warped up my little rigid heddle loom for some brocade experiments. I wanted to do brocade with special tie-down warps, Theo Moorman style. I chose the direct warping method, but the tangling behind the heddle was annoying; next time I will use the indirect warping method.

I used a pickup stick for one brocade shed, and string heddles for the second brocade shed.

Here's a closeup of the brocade motif. The ground warp & weft are 5/2 cotton at 12 epi. The tie-down warps are 20/2 green cotton @ 6 epi. The brocade weft is embroidery floss used double.

And now for no particular reason except that it makes me happy, here's a view from my back deck yesterday morning. At a certain point every morning, the sun casts a sword of light across the grass. This trick lasts about three minutes and then is gone. When seen through the deep bronze leaves of the redbud tree, the effect is magical.

Posted at 02:06 PM in Design, Landscaping, Photography, Rigid Heddle, Weaving | Permalink | Comments (2)

May 13, 2019

A Little History

The last thing we talked about at the network drafting workshop at LoftyFiber (see previous post) was jeans twill on eight shafts. I went digging through my archives last night and found a couple of drafts with that very characteristic: a network based on a 3-end initial, with patterns of 2/1 twill on a ground of 1/2 twill. Eight shafts. After I whip my studio back into shape, I think these will be next in the queue.