Denim Rag Rugs "Jeanetically Modified I, II and III", by Chris Beech

The denim rugs from my last rag rug session are now 20 years old and decidedly shabby, so I recently attacked the most boring part of my stash - a box full of jean legs [mostly the backs of legs as the fronts were full of patches and too tough to cut]. The result is these three rugs, woven without any fuss joining strips, but still very serviceable.

I used 12/6 cotton rug warp at 4 epi for the 2 tabby rugs, and 8 epi for the 4 end block rug, with denim strips cut approximately 2 - 3 cm wide. The cotton warp was OK, but I definitely prefer a seaming twine or linen warp, which have much less give in them, allowing very positive beating. The advantage of the cotton is that it comes ready dyed in a range of colours.

The tabby rugs are about 1.5 x 0.8 m, and used 190 gm of warp[for 2], and about 2.25 kg of rags each.

by Chris Beech

Record Sheet, by Noelene Gratton

Each project has a slight variation in the recording. The basics are the same and additional information to easily repeat the project is added, eg: threading and weaving plan for stripes etc. Also it depends how much can be fitted onto the page. As technology and my ability to use it has advanced the record sheet has evolved from simple hand scribbled notes to the current sheet. The basic information has not changed. The draw downs are taken from Pikes Peak Weavers Weave Design downloadable software.




by Noelene Gratton

Plaid Scarf, by Noelene Gratton

This scarf was made as a sample to check the suitability of the yarn for a larger project. It wove nicely but on washing all the joins shrank back and have had to be darned in with extra yarn. The yarn was chosen as it was the closest match for the correct colours for a tartan rug, and I wanted to avoid the dye pot.

I was a Wilson and the rug is to be a gift for my nephew, my brother's son. Wilsons are from clan Gunn with some being from Innes (I think) .

The following is taken from the web site tartanregister.gov.uk:

"Generally now called simply 'Wilson' by modern weavers. Named after Janet Wilson, wife of the Bannockburn weaver, William Wilson who manufactured tartans from 1765. It is suggested in the extensive archives of the company that the tartan was prepared for the wedding in 1780 between the William Wilson, the son of the founder, and Janet Paterson. The sett was later introduced as the Wilson family tartan. Variations show blue instead of purple in the broad band and blue instead of azure (light blue) in the narrow stripes."

Pinwheel Twill Scarf, by Noelene Gratton

When my weaving daughter saw the fabric for the vest, she cheekily commented about making good use of all 8 shafts. “Of course, it was threaded 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8”. Hence an 8 shaft project had to follow. I liked the look of this scarf from an early issue of Weavezine, an online weaving magazine. Diving into the stash I pulled out two yarns of slightly different weights but close enough to be ok, so I thought. Too bad, it’ll do. They behaved quite differently with the cream (the finer yarn) shrinking more in the fulling, resulting in a seersucker effect. Not what I was wanting but interesting all the same.

Future plans include repeating this pattern in a larger piece.

by Noelene Gratton

New Loom, First Project, by Noelene Gratton

In July 2008 I bought an 8 shaft Mecchia Loom, from Invercargill. After getting it home, assembling it and sorting out a few hiccups and many duh!! moments, with the generous help of Margaret (Mecchia, by email), I was ready for action.

I wanted to start by doing something quick to check if everything was working as it should. As I am not a person who samples, a plain weave chunky project was called for. A sleeveless vest, quick and easy. To add interest, three colours were used - green, navy and violet, all very pale, alternating in both the warp and weft so as not to get a striped effect. In the process, I learned a little about batch dying, something I have never done before, preferring a random effect so as to hide any unevenness of colour.

The resulting fabric was pleasing and the loom worked well with no further adjustments necessary.

After almost 2 years the jacket is finally finished. Good timing for the year of the garment.

by Noelene Gratton

The Latest from Peg Moorhouse

A visit to Peg's at the end of April shows a recent swing back towards her signature damask weaving. This in spite of an ongoing maintenance issue with a complex draw loom with no instructions and no loom mechanic to call on... and a NZ-wide dwindling supply of the precious linen yarn she uses. Well done Peg! Keep up the good work.

Only at Peg's . . .or at Spotlight!

by Rose Pelvin

Garment Idea, by Rose Pelvin and Helen Lukes

For weavers wanting to take up the challenge to make a garment this year, but nervous about cutting their precious fabric, here is an idea from Anne Field's collapse weave book. Here is Helen Lukes of Wellington with her take on this simple but very effective design I had a chance to see during my latest trip to Wellington.

by Rose Pelvin

April Meeting

The April Weavers' Group meeting was replaced by a Saturday workshop led by Rose featuring crepe weaves, in keeping with our Year of the garment theme.

Our very generous tutor Rose
One of the many drafts prepared by Rose for the workshop
8 shaft samples woven with the previous treadling
4 shaft sample woven on June's draft
Win at work, assisted by Nancy
Noeline and Joan concentrate on their lessons
Anne and Rose work it out
Not a crepe weave, but Rosemary's plans for a throw using her handspun mohair/wool

by Chris Beech

Fibre Fantasia: Nelson-Marlborough-Buller Area Exhibition - Part 2

by Jan Hennay

by Jan Hannay

by June McKnezie

by Rose Pelvin

by Rose Pelvin
by Denise Cleghorn
by Zoe Thompson
by Christine Marks
Nancy, Chris and Joan

by Rose Pelvin

Fibre Fantasia: Nelson-Marlborough-Buller Area Exhibition - Part 1

Fibre Fantasia is the name of the Nelson-Marlborough-Buller Area exhibition which opened in Takaka on Monday 29 March. Marlborough was well represented both by exhibits (13 from 8 members) and members in attendance at the opening (11 plus one husband). The venue is a small but lovely gallery at Motupipi, aptly named the Bell Tower. Win and Denise received special mention as "Selector's Choice" for their entries. (While Denise is not officially a member of our group we still think of her as ours, especially when she is winning accolades!)

"Jeanetically-Modified, by Chris Beech

by Chris Beech

by Anne Udy

by Anne-Marie Chapman

by Win Currie

by Win Currie

By Rose Pelvin

(Blog Mum has been away with the fairies, and apologizes the vary late posting this month. )