More about Richmond

After a lunch of super soup and rolls, topped up by scrumptious muffins, two members who have been working on the tapestry weaving course led by Marilyn Rea-Menzies spoke about the process and showed us their beautifully executed samples. They have completed the first two courses and are about to embark on the third. Watch for some excellent work to come . . . it is already impressive.

Also impressive was the work of new members, our own Mary's first piece among others . . . a gamp showing several four shaft threadings and treadlings. Another much admired first was a pink wrap by a beginner weaver, notable because it was woven double width on a rigid heddle loom. How's that for a starter! Pictures are on the previous post.

Now, to come right up to date, here is a slice of watermelon, knitted on a recent visit by our Aussie friend Barbara . . . last seen disappearing in the direction of Sydney. I'm sorry I didn't take a photo of the yarn while it was still in the ball.

Overdue Catch Up

Apologies to those who have been looking for latest news and photos. I have fallen into the facebook trap and posted photos there, forgetting that some of you are strong-minded enough to avoid facebook and its tendency to swallow up our precious time. To add insult to injury I had been logged out of this blog and couldn't remember my password - well I thought I could but Google didn't agree with me.

Here are some pics taken at our September meeting which was in the form of a visit to the Richmond group. It was a busy, buzzy meeting as Felters and Spinners all met in the same hall as the Weavers!  It was a bit hard to hear the speakers at times but everyone managed to get their message across I'm sure. I will write a bit more soon but in the meantime here are some photos.

More Treasures

Some of those whose indigo interest was whetted by the last post will have enjoyed an indigo dyeing workshop held at Bobbin Cottage over the weekend. A quick visit showed everyone intently focused on either dipping their fabrics in the magic pot or neatly folding and tying the fabric on to plastic pipes to achieve the shibori technique. We hope for photos of the finished pieces in the near future.
In the meantime here are some more pics from Joan, our intrepid traveller. How much more meaningful these treasures must be for someone who takes a backpack and heads off to Armenia, Turkey, China or wherever to find them and see first hand how they are made.

Armenia

Turkey (embroidered)

Hard, hard felt hat

Intricate flowers from folded fabric

This is how you treat fine cotton with ox blood in china

Ox blood pounded in makes a shiny impervious fabric

Accordian pleated, by hand and eye. No need for complex tools.

Pleats are permanent.

Indigo

Joan shared with us a huge array of textiles, from many countries, all dyed with indigo, in all shades of blue, from pastel to dark navy. As well, there were examples of many different techniques including wax resist, shibori and embroidery, with photos to show how and where many of these items were made. All this was made more interesting because Joan had visited these countries and collected the textiles herself, in many cases after watching them being made.

Thank you Joan, for bringing these treasures from around the world and sharing them with us.

July Show and Tell

Good numbers turned up for our July meeting and it was great to see yet more new members keen to get weaving. Joan had returned from her travels with textile treasures to show us and later gave us a talk on indigo with many samples and pictures from her previous overseas trips. Photos of that to come, but in the meantime here is the show and tell.

Kathryn had brought baby blankets last month and asked for advice on how to finish them. Here they are, washed and finished with generous satin bindings. Well done Kathryn.

Also by Kathryn, a creative piece achieved with multi-coloured wrappings.

Betty has been reading up on the differences between tartans and plaids. She made these plaid cushion covers in 2/2 twill.

Rose's alpaca scarf has a red warp and navy weft in a small twill pattern. Extra navy ends were added in to the fringe.

Nancy brought along her latest knitting and her Scottish cousin to model it.

Another of Nancy's creations, this time in Touch mohair.

Busy, busy, busy . . .

Our Guild got a call this month to help sort out and disperse the weaving related assets of our late friend June McKenzie. June had numerous looms and LOTS of fibre and yarn stash as well as books, samples etc etc. This was a huge undertaking and some of it is still taking place. There has been a great re-homing of looms and equipment and it is exciting to see, especially new weavers, being able to purchase good quality looms at minimal prices. As well, all members were able to help themselves to yarn for a small donation. 
Because of this and other time-consuming matters combined with a forgetful camera operator, this blog has been a long time coming. I do apologise for forgetting my camera until too late for our show and tell. Thanks to Betty we do have some photos . . . many thanks Betty.

New weaver Kathryn lost no time getting her loom into action, making two baby blankets in a very short time.

Chris just seems to know how to put these colours together.

Topic for the day was handwoven garments. We have discovered that they never wear out! Chis is showing a dressing gown made in a "Sherpa Coat" style.

A narrow fitting ruana can be worn with a belt under the back panel and over the fronts.

A much wider ruana gives luxurious drape in a soft fabric.

This Sherpa jacket was woven by Chris in the 1970s but has never lost its stylish look. Beautiful woven braid trim has something to do with it.

Rose demonstrates a very easily made bias top. This one has the added interest of colour blending across the width of the fabric.

Remember when waistcoats were "In"?

This was a good way to make a fashion garment with very little woven fabric.

We also looked at some of June's woven fabrics and thought about what we could do with some of them.