July Meeting at Win's, Part 1

We enjoyed Win's hospitality on a lovely sunny day. Pumpkin soup and homemade bread added to the general well-being. Thank you Win. We welcome two new members, Jen and Cathie.

Tricia tucks under the ends of Joan's just-finished floor rug; another reincarnation of the curtains.

Is this how much weaving Chris does each day? Or is she talking fishing?

One of Rose's scarves. Who knows what the fibre is? Who cares!

Three scarves from the same warp. Three different wefts.

Joan and Win inspect an ikat scarf from the Philippines.

And we are all intrigued with the way the fringes are tied.

by Rose Pelvin

Creative Fibre at Heritage Day, Brayshaw Park, Blenheim, February 6th 2011

Joan weaving Ikat.

by Chris Beech

Weave It, Felt It - Part 4

A number of throw rugs from Chris, Joan and Rose were hung in pairs between the stained glass windows on one side of the church.

On the other side were long hangings from Peg. This was a popular one with the public.

More of Peg's work was hung in the front of the church

by Rose Pelvin

July Meeting: Part 2: Show and Tell

Scarves are still in!
Clockwise from top left: Win, Jan, Betsy, Chris and Joan.

Jan completed this tapestry in a mirror image design. Next time you see this it will be a book cover.

Joan made this double cordiroy rug in the glorious colours of rata flowers fallen on to a clump of bird's-nest fern. Her meticulous finishing of the warp ends is a work in progress.

Detail.

Win rediscovered an old favourite, dog roses in plain weave on a background of Bronson lace. She used Irish linen weft on a cotton warp.

by Rose Pelvin

July Meeting: Part 1 - Frames

The email from Group Mum Chris read:

Frames are not just for tapestry weaving.
What about woven frames for loom woven pieces [or even your body] ??
Bring along examples of woven pieces displaying a woven frame, or examples where you feel a frame might have been advantageous - tea towels, table runners, wraps, rugs etc.
Examples of frames that didn't work are as instructive as those that did.
Think outside the square!

June conducted the meeting on the importance of using framing in designing one's work, using previous members brought in.

Clockwise from top left: work by Joan, Chris, Betsy, Rose, Rose, Joan

Center, Dawn's small Pohutukawa tapestry. Clockwise from top, Win, Win, Win, Tapestry Group, and Jan's embroidery.

Win, Betsy and Jan.

Chris and Nancy.

Judy, Win, Betsy and Nancy.

by Rose Pelvin & Chris Beech

May Meeting Show & Tell, Part I

Crepe weave samples from the April workshop.
Rose utilised buttons in these tatted bookmarks.
Joan, Chris and Betsy debate why black and white merino didn’t full at the same rate in Chris’s scarf.
What a tangled web we weave!
Joan’s meticulous weaving and superb colour sense come together. Runner or towel – you choose.
June wove off her crepe sample warp with multicoloured rayon.

by Rose Pelvin

More Small Gifts

Here are some more small gift ideas.

Inkle Braids by Jan and Chris

Earing hangers by Rose

Who made this lovely bag?

Jacob's Ladder by Chris

Hand towels by me.

by Joan McLauchlan

Bag, by Joan McLauchlan

Joan wove with wool and rayon in the warp and rayn, dyed in the cone, on the weft, but the ends didn't seem to work and she didn't know what to do with it. So one day, she cut it up and made a wee bag! Now, Joan, can you please hold still for one second so I can take a pic. Please?


Thank you!

by Meg Nakagawa

International Year of Natural Fibre Part 1

The International Year of Natural Fibre was celebrated in Blenheim at an event hosted by the Rural Women's organisation. Our Guild was well represented with weaving, spinning and felting and alpaca products on show; in fact we provided about half the display. Unfortunately the public stayed away in droves, nevertheless we enjoyed a social time of admiring our own work and that of the other stall holders.

Weaving on display included tea towels and place mats from past projects and scarves with amazing textures.

Jan's Inkle Loom attracted some attention and questions.

Chris and Jan watch a demonstration.

Anne demonstrates weaving.

Joan and Katie watch Cherrie and Christine at work

This wine-theme tapestry was woven by Jan, Christine and Sue Broad, (a long time member who now resides in Dunedin). It was intended to be one third of a triptych but looks great on its own.

by Rose Pelvin

September Meeting Part 3

Light and airy . . . A beautiful lightweight top, part of a three-piece catwalk outfit by Jenny.

Note Jenny's . . . Woven, designed and tailored by Jenny. Beautifully finished and it will never go out of style.

A Marion . . . Marion was a member of our group for many years till she shifted to the deep south. We miss her.

A new owner . . . Jan waltzed home very happily in her new skirt, which solved one of Joan's dilemmas.

by Rose Pelvin

September Meeting Part 2

From evening dress . . . A sparkling model by Jenny, made when rag weaving was "in."

Joan began . . . Probably Joan's first jacket, all handspun.

Joan ponders what to do with fabric woven by Tricia years ago.

June's latest, hot off the loom at the bay. Tricia looking on.

Just add . . Dot has been making scarves by the dozen. Just the thing to add a spark to one of Joan's jackets.

by Rose Pelvin