The 16-shaft loom is now rewarped with an old pal, network drafting: a dependable draft, balanced lifts, single shuttle. I wanted something on the loom that was interesting to look at and easy to demo in front of a crowd for Open Studios. It's a month away, but now I can concentrate on other projects. Comfort.
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 LoomAcquire 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. - 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
- 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.
Categories
- Amalgamation
- Animation
- Architecture
- Art
- Books
- Brocade
- Classes
- Deflected Double Weave
- Design
- Double Twill
- Film
- Food and Drink
- Jacquard
- Jin
- Knitting
- Lampas
- Landscaping
- Movies
- Music
- Network Drafting
- Photography
- Pixels
- Printmaking
- Rigid Heddle
- Sewing
- Spinning
- Sports
- Tablet Weaving
- Tapestry
- Television
- Torah Mantles
- Travel
- Weaving
Recent Posts
Links
Blogs I Read
Other Stuff
- Errata for Amalgamation Monograph 6.30.20
Click here to download errata file. - Errata for Amalgamation Monograph 6.29.20
Click here to download errata file. - Errata for Crepe Monograph
Click here to download errata file. - Alice's Basic Bread Recipe
- Errata for The Liftplan Connection
Click this link to download corrections to The Liftplan Connection.
« August 2015 | Main | October 2015 »
September 2015 posts
September 30, 2015
September 29, 2015
Force Eject
I absolutely couldn't stand weaving on this warp. The concentration required for beating loosely was more than I could tolerate, so I abandoned the warp! Life is too short for weaving on unfriendly warps. Now I'm rewarping that loom with a happier arrangement.
The picture above shows the sample after washing. It's networked doubleweave. the read areas are wool, and the yellow-green areas are silk.
I have a stack of thrums and other abandoned warps. Occasionally I stuff a pillow with some of this stuff. It makes a really rock-hard pillow, good for tucking into the lumbar area or for supporting an iPad during an evening's reading.
September 26, 2015
Peekaboo
You never know who's going to drop in.
This is part of a trial to determine aspect ratio. Graded 11-end satin; black cotton warp & natural hemp/cotton weft.
September 24, 2015
It's That Time of Year Again...
Relearning my tablet weaving routines. The head sometimes forgets, but the hands hardly ever.
September 23, 2015
Prep Work
This isn't the most glamorous part of book making, but it must be done.
After I cut the fabric from the loom, and before I cut the panels apart and apply the acrylic goo to the backs, I like to twist the bands for the closures. It's helpful to do this while the cones of yarn are still standing around next to the bobbin winder; that way I'm sure to use the exact weft yarns & get the color matching right.
It's also necessary to tear down the paper and fold it into signatures. I have very limited worktable space, so I tend to do the paper work in batches of six or eight. It's my least favorite job, but with good music it goes quickly.
Happy Equinox, y'all.
September 21, 2015
Back to the Loom
Variations of the same lampas files I've been working on for the best couple of months. A little tweaking of aspect ratio, weft mixtures, selvedge weaves, etc.
I did have a marvelous time on my vacation, but it feels so good to be back at the loom—like slipping on a pair of favorite old shoes.
September 20, 2015
Preventive Maintenance
When I returned from my travels, did all the laundry, sorted through all the mail (real & virtual), I sat down with my knitting. In a large basket with a partially finished knitted afghan and 27 skeins of Noro Kureyon, I spied something that looked suspiciously like a clothes moth. Time for action! I spread everything out in the sun and fresh air for the rest of the day, turning blanket & skeins frequently. No signs of damage. I will keep a close eye on things for a while. Most of my yarn stash is non-wool, but you never know.
This very clever knitting pattern, Ten Stitch Zigzag, is the creation of Frankie Brown, and is available as a free download on Ravelry.
September 17, 2015
Young Chestnut Trees
Part of a program to develop a strain of blight-resistant chestnut trees. So far these new trees are doing well.
September 15, 2015
Atmospheric Perspective
Finally accustomed to the altitude.
September 14, 2015
Stripes
On top of Old Smokey...