Twisp of Fate

On Saturday I re-threaded the towel warp, re-sleyed the reed and started a new towel in the same colors as the last one.  It’s much better!

Here is the next towel underway – different treadling pattern and different color weft:

The published pattern has three treadling variations and weft colors (always using some of the  colors used in the warp).  Once I finish the third one, I will take those off the loom and hem and wash them to see how they truly came out.  Then go on to making some others using different colors for the wefts.  This is getting to be fun!

I found a great little place in Wenatchee called Pins & Needles – they do custom sewing including upholstery, alterations, wedding ensembles, etc.  I have intended for several years to turn some rug samples into pillows – even bought the fabric, cording, zippers, etc. in the delusion that I (a non-sewer) could do this myself.  The samples were from a rug workshop I took from Judith MacKenzie out in Forks, WA before her studio fire out there.  So I brought everything down to Pins & Needles and they did a beautiful professional job for a very reasonable price.

And recently I finished another other weaving project on Kingston, the 32″ Macomber at home.  They are table runners or mats intended to (a) use up materials I have, and (b) be a practical mat that is thick enough to set hot dishes on.  I used some of my many spools of left-over rug warp for the warp, and cut strips from corduroy fabric for the weft.  Actually there is a thick weft (the corduroy) alternated with a rayon/cotton slub yarn, which adds some texture and a little shine to the final mat.

I am setting up Kingston to do another round of these, but I will make them a little wider and a little longer the next time.  I have some cotton print fabrics to use up as well, so the next ones will look a little different from that standpoint.

Rick and I are on a Methow Valley artist studio tour in 3 weeks, so I am trying to get some work done in anticipation of that event!