I'm Alice Schlein, a weaver in South Carolina. A few times a week I write about my weaving, Network Drafting, Amalgamation, bread baking, my morning walks, and whatever else strikes my fancy. Thanks for stopping by! Comments are welcome.
Classes
Weave Brocade On Your Rigid Heddle Loom
Acquire new rigid heddle skills in a class for intermediate rigid heddle weavers or intrepid beginners. We will focus on indirect warping, the creation and use of string heddles, and the pickup stick, while learning to weave brocade motifs in supplementary wefts on a plain weave ground. Intensive three-hour class, eight weeks. Jan. 13 - March 9, 2020 at OLLI, Furman University.
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.
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
Amalgamation: Double Your Dobby 24-pages of text, diagrams, and color photographs, in pdf format for download. Create drafts for 8 or more shafts in half-drop or brick arrangements which would normally require twice the number of shafts. Related to network drafting, this is a technique for intermediate or advanced weavers with dobby looms or multi-shaft table looms. Includes guidelines for amalgamation with three current weaving applications. View on a computer, or print out one copy for your own use. USD$21. via PayPal. Email aschlein[at]att[dot]net and indicate your preferred email address for PayPal.
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.
This is where we have spent the past week, in the second floor weaving studio, or "Lower Textiles." Class is drawing to a close. Tomorrow morning is studio cleanup and Show and Tell. Wonderful students, wonderful school. Good memories. Penland.
In spite of the gorgeous weather, we were glued to our computers all day in the weaving studio. Pattern presets all present and accounted for. Tomorrow: inclusive weaves.
I thought I'd add some texture to the background of the Sleeping Dogs, and for that purpose chose the holly bushes of yesterday.
With samitum weaves inserted and color simulation added, here are the dogs so far:
Other mods I will try when actually at the loom will be to change the actual reds in the 3-color weft rotation of red-yellow-blue. Go from a magenta, to red, to orange. Bands of color. We'll see. That's as far as I can go today. It will percolate.
I know dogs don't sleep in trees, but these dogs are dreaming.