Weaverly

Chatsworth

On our last day in the UK we went to Chatsworth, former home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. This view features a metal sculpture by Manolo Valdéz in the foreground and Chatsworth House in the distance. 

The house and gardens are of a scale and magnificence hard to grasp in a single visit. Here are a few notable sights—first, the dining room ready for dinner for twenty…

…and the portrait hall…

…and some beautiful fabrics, especially this jacquard velvet upholstery and one of the many examples of sumptuous passementerie.

And a fitting image to end this wonderful day: a handsome lion in the sculpture gallery.

Gladstone Pottery

In the morning we spent some time with Stacey's "baby" jacquard looms. I discovered that my fly-shuttle skills have badly deteriorated! 

We drove to the Gladstone Pottery Museum, a few miles away in Stoke-on-Trent. 

The rains finally came. Here's a view of the museum courtyard, followed by the bottle kiln, typical of many kilns in this district in years past.

The museum contains excellent displays of the entire pottery manufacturing process and the history of pottery production in this area.

Then we went through an exhibit entitled "Flushed With Pride," a combination social and engineering history of the toilet. Fascinating—and hilarious.

 

A Visit to Macclesfield

Our first stop this morning was St. Giles Roman Catholic Church in the village of Cheadle. The number of multiple patterns inside the church was amazing - painted, papered, tiled. 

Then on to Macclesfield, to tour the Silk Museum. Walking into the room full of jacquard handlooms was like stepping back over 100 years in history.

One of the weavers on duty kindly allowed me to throw a few picks on this loom:

I'm afraid I was very inept. I would not have made my quota for the day!

Here's a look up at the punched cards at the top of the jacquard head:

Stacy took us on a short walking tour of Macclesfield before lunch.

Leaving Macclesfield, we saw this sign on a hardward store. Am I the only one who finds this amusing?

Then on to Buxton for a totally different architectural experience…

An unusual point of view in an old-style pharmacy:

Lilies in the Pavilion Gardens at Buxton:

…and then a drive home along the southern edges of the Peak District, where it was too foggy to see anything most of the time, but occasionally the fog cleared and we were rewarded with stunning views and more than a few sheep.

Northward

This morning we took a last walk along the narrow lanes of Devon with their high hedges.

We met up with Stacey who drove us four hours to the north to her home/studio in Lower Tean, near Stoke-on-Trent. I finally got to see her famous jacquard loom, Hattie by name. This view of Hattie is from the loft above the studio.

Here's Stacey in the loft.

And here is sweet gentle Charlie.

We'll be spending a few days with Stacey and her family. It's such a treat to see weavers in their natural environments! This eighteenth century farm & outbuildings housing rescued looms and weaving equipment is a visual feast.

Day Three

Another beautiful sunny day. Can this really be England? This is the view out Kay's back window. We have really enjoyed these last few days at her house. Tomorrow we move north.

Third and final day of the Woven Pixel class. The focus was text in dobby weaving. High marks for everyone!

During tea break I strolled out to the main road and photographed this small flock across the way.

A celebration after class at The Old Inn at Widecombe on the Moor.

Just before sundown in the churchyard at Widecombe Church.

Woven Pixel, Day Two

The cattle were complaining last night because the calves have just been taken.

I think they are indifferent to the beauties of Kay's garden. I, however, find it charming.

Today at the workshop the weavers were generous with their cooperation, helping each other get the Photoshop files into the weaving programs…

…and they had intense discussions about doubleweave pattern presets.

Lunch outdoors in the sunshine was a welcome break.

Another Interesting Loom

Jacquard loom for weaving four ribbons at a time. At the studio of Robert Ely.

 

An Interesting Loom

A Hattersley "bicycle" loom at Bovey Handweaving Studio, Bovey Tracey, UK. Loom is used for weaving Harris Tweed.

Woven Pixel Class, Day One

I have a new hostess now. Kay's house is on Dartmoor, and this was the view out my bedroom window last night:

Kay is a weaver and graphic designer, and her home is filled with interesting vignettes.

Before class began this morning, Sue organized the tea & coffee rota. Very efficient system. I take my coffee black, thank you.

After everyone got to work on the computers, the room was completely silent. We encountered a strange conflict between two cordless mice. The mice competed with each other and one had to be turned off so that the other could function. Duelling mice. Who would have guessed.

During tea break I walked out to the road. The area around Devon Weavers Workshop is beautiful.

A Grand Day Out

For my day off, Sue took us to visit Papilionaceous, where director and designer Robert Ely showed us his jacquard ribbon loom and described his working process to us. Be sure to check out his fascinating website.

Robert's weavings are designed to be used as suspenders, booksmarks, and other narrow woven products. He has also been combining several strips into composite wall pieces, a great way of maximizing the use of a narrow loom.

After lunch we went for a walk in the gardens at Dartington Hall…

…then paid a visit to a shoe making studio …

and checked out a weaving shop in Bovey Tracey. They had some Hattersley looms in active use for Harris Tweeds, and I'll try to show you a movie of these fascinating looms tomorrow.