Some Stitching Is Involved

 

Continuing with our indigo dye day, Connie had some old cotton shirts that she took apart and was doing some stitching on several sections.  She used a loose long stitch--here is where the design element comes into effect.

 

Connie is showing Susan how stitching will give you interesting look on cloth.

She used regular needle and sewing thread--although a heavier cotton thread would have been stronger

 

 

Now, it is time to pull up the threads.

 

Connie pulls each section slowly in order not to break her stitching thread

She continues pulling

Then she ties off each section with a surgeon's knot

Each section is tied securely

And now it is ready for the dye pot

Before the fabric hits the dye pot, Connie wets the piece thoroughly.

Into the bath it goes

After sitting for a few minutes allowing the dye to penetrate through the layers of stitching, Connie slowly brings the cloth to the side, squeezing out the liquid as she slowly raises the cloth to the surface--no splash back allowed.

Connie allows the fabric to dye completely before she takes out the stitching--I'm always to inpatient to wait!  Here she has removed the stitching and she has a wonderful design element where her stitching was

Shibori Techniques--try it!  You might like it!

It Was An Indigo Day

Our group of weavers, spinners had a good day for dyeing with indigo.  The skies were that wonderful clear blue which meant we'll have no problems.

 

 

We had this set of instructions.  Everyone's recipe differs somewhat but this is a basic recipe for today.

We are using natural indigo powder.  We are using 1 Oz of powder into the solution, along with Thiorea Dioxide (I use color remover for this) and lye.

and here is our stock solution--ready for the dye pot.  We had a large stainless steel pot with temp at 100*--it works well if the sun is shining on your pot too, but today was breezy so we used a electric burner in order to keep the temp constant.  A portion of the stock solution is added to the water in the stainless pot

First timer Susan was using one of Connie's fancy clamps--look closely at this--you might want to add these to your tool box!  This is one dip into the indigo pot

 

I did some overdyeing on this scarf.

I had some men's cotton hander kerchiefs to dye, which will be used as luncheon napkins. 

Another one of my cotton scarves to over dye

Susan's silk/wool blend took a nice dip

Connie had a white shirt that she didn't like so into the dye pot it went!

This will be fun to wear!  As always, indigo dyeing is magic--

Selvedges in Sewing

Okay, We've gone through Selvedges in weaving and knitting, how about sewing?  Did you know that those painted dots on the selvedges of fabric contain some valuable information?  What is a Selvedge anyway?

"Definition: The selvedge refers to the edge of fabric as it comes off the bolt. The selvedge is the edges of the fabric which has manufacturer information. This area of the fabric is usually a bound edge that does not fray.

The selvedge of the fabric may also have color dots which show the colors used in the fabric and lines to indicate the repeat of a print on the fabric"  About Home   Interesting information, huh?

Now, let's look at more information on sewing with Selvedges Sewing Selvedges     


and to make sure you have a straight of the grain fabric, here is a video to give you that info.

You tube Selvedge info

 

And if you are like me, I cut off those selvedges, toss them in a box and keep for future projects.  check out how you make interesting things with those selvedges.

Sew Mama Sew

And if you need more inspiration, check out Pinterest!

Oh, yes I've used my selvedges for creative projects--just need to buy more fabric to get more delightful selvedges!

Warp Speed Ahead..............................

What are you doing this summer?  Need a kick in the pants for some inspiration?  Then this conference is just right for you!

Contemporary Handweavers of Texas are hosting their bi-annual conference in Austin, hosted by

Weavers and Spinners Society of Austin.  The conference will be held June 24-28, 2015 at DoubleTree Hilton
@ 6505 IH 35 N
Austin, TX   78752

There will be pre-conference workshops, seminars, vendors, fashion show, exhibits, opening ceremony and closing event by Jana Vander Lee.  Check it out and register!

Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in the United States and in Mexico, primarily in the state of Puebla, where the holiday is called El Día de la Batalla de Puebla (English: The Day of the Battle of Puebla).^[ Mexican Americans also often see the day as a source of pride; one way they can honor their ethnicity is to celebrate this day.
The date is observed to commemorate the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín. In the United States, Cinco de Mayo is sometimes mistaken to be Mexico's Independence Day—the most important national holiday in Mexico—which is celebrated on September 16.


To Me--It's Fiesta time!  Bring on the

Margaritas!

Tacos!

Guacamole!

 

And of course, delicious beans!

Yummy!  Nothing like celebrating this holiday in true style!

Check out these recipes and more at

Foodnetwork

 

Read Like A Child!

I love Children Books!  Children Books of all shapes, sizes, colors, no words, some words, poetic words, nonsensical words, picture books, texture books and the list grows!  Whenever I visit a Book Shoppe, I head to the children's book section to see what's new.   Find a good book, pull up a cushion or plop on the floor and begin to read.

The 50 Best Books For Kids is a listing of books that some find worthy of reading over and over again. 

In fact, I have the complete set of Beatrix Potter's Books--all little books that are certainly a pleasure to hold in my hands.

But, according to my list, there are a few not mentioned on this listing

A great read for anyone--several years ago a group of my friends and I visited Tattered Book Store in Denver and of course, we went to the children's section.  One pulled out this book and said "I love this book" so it was bought.  Later, in the afternoon as we sat and relaxed we decided to read our books out loud--

we passed it around until someone was brave enough to say "I'll read it!"

and so the pages turned, the words were spoken, and by the end of the last page,

we were all in tears!  Happy tears!  Lovely tears!

To this day, I will gift this book to a new Mother!

And this book!  Ahh, a favorite of our son--he would want this book read every night.  When he was a grown man, he still enjoyed the story of this book and he gifted it to his friend's first born.

Books live forever!

So, If you need permission to play in the Children's book section,

I grant you that permission!!

Jane Austen Rocks!

Jane is Timeless!  Not only can you find knitting patterns inspired by Jane Austen, but you can also enjoy her books over and over again.

Jane Austen Knits by Interweave Press  This is my issue from 2011--I thoroughly enjoy this magazine!  "What Would Jane Knit?"  "Jane and Knitting"  Time line for Jane's life--what more can a gal want?! 

How about listening to "Sense and Sensibility" while knitting up one of these lovely patterns!!

A super love story! that is timeless!

CraftLit is the way to go when you want to hear a good book.  The host, Heather, has the insight into the story line with many asides that make the listening more fun.

As I've written before, this is a free podcast for those who love books!

Drop in and get a dose of Sense and Sensibility.

Weave It! Weavette! Small Looms!

If you are a weaver, how were you first interested in weaving?  Was it with this small loom?

I found this weaving loom at a garage sale--priced at $.50--what a bargain!  Not that I've used it lately.  This is definitely a keepsake for ages to come!

 

The previous owner laid down the warp and began to weave with the weft.

There are so many ways one can weave these days.  When I began in 1970's, I used a photo frame--just wrap the warp around the outside areas and began.

We can use cardboard pieces, paper plates, ice cream sticks, etc.  Check out this Pinterest page for other weaving equipment that won't break the bank!

And Schacht has this portable loom that is getting rave reviews from new weavers!

Weaving is a never ending craft to learn!  Never boring! 

Selvedges in Weaving

There are selvedges involved in weaving--in sewing--in knitting!  Today let's work on our selvedges in weaving!  Why do we obsess over nice clean selvedges when we are weaving?  Maybe, that's the first thing, as a weaver, you want to be perfect--or it's because, other weavers always look to see how you did your selvedges so they can improve.

  Laura Fry  has these following steps.  They are listed on Craftsy.

Tip #1:  Beam the warp under consistent tension using good packing materials

Tip #2: Try to be consistent about using the correct amount of tension during weaving on the warp for the yarn being used

Tip #3: Do not weave too close to the beater/reed

Tip #4: Wind your bobbins well

Tip #5: Don’t over fill bobbins

Tip #6: Leave a good angle on the weft and make sure it is loose in the shed when beating to ensure that it can take up across the width of the weaving and not cause excessive draw in.

Tip #7: Be consistent advancing and tensioning the warp

Tip #8: Be consistent in beating

Tip #9: Set the weft loops at the selvedge with good tension

Final note: The first step in achieving good selvedges is to develop good working skills.

From Jane Stafford, another experienced weaver comes these tips:

Throw,
Beat, Leave It…meaning, leave your beater against the fell
Change your Shed
Beater Back to the Castle

If you want to have a great discussion with other weavers, bring up this topic!  you will have several ideas on what works best when weaving.............

Happy treadling!












.

Selvedges in Knitting

We're back on the topic of selvedges.  this time in Knitting!  Have you ever thought that you must make your selvedges work just right?  Of course, you have!    I found this site Tricksy Knitter very helpful.

Here is a simple chain slip on this shawl selvedge

 

How about a crochet edge to finish off your selvedge?

On this shawl I used garter stitch on the border.

There are so many interesting stitches to use for that added feature on your knit wear.

Happy stitching!

Clouds.

Have you ever lain in the grass and looked skyward and to see what cloud shapes you can imagine?

What fun that is.............................."oh, I see an elephant" "that shape looks like a clown".............

We look towards the clouds to bring us relief on a sunny day--

"Thank goodness, that cloud blocked the sun"

 

 

 

clouds give us reflections of the setting sun

clouds fill the sky with light fluffy puffs--

I don't know the name of the cloud shapes

but

 

I'm always happy to see some of those puffs on a clear blue sky day!

Love IS...............................

Love Letters--what is love?  Is it tangible?   powerful?  words?  Thoughts?  Suggestions? 

Well, I do LOVE Chocolate!  Is that wrong?!!

I LOVE receiving love letters and cards!

 

LOVE is wrapping a quilt around a friend in need!

Why is LOVE always shared as a heart? 

Love is beautiful,

Strong emotion,

Feeling,

For anyone

Who opens their soul

How do you LOVE?

 

 

 

Simple Pleasures

Simple Pleasures include finishing March's pattern

for the Year long Scarf project!  Yes, I know I'm behind a month............................................but I'll catch up soon!


Here is April pattern:

DIAGONAL MADEIRA LACE
#4. Diagonal Madeira Lace (multiple of 4): 68 beads and 46 total sts on the needle.
NOTE FOR PLACING BEADS: you will be placing beads on the ‘Slip one, K2TOG, psso’ stitches. Place the bead in the K2TOG stitch and be sure that the slipped stitch is passed over the K2TOG stitch AND the bead. This will anchor the bead in place. You will need 68 beads for this pattern section. If you have strung your beads onto your yarn before beginning, detailed instructions for how to insert the beads can be found in Post #617.
NOTE: There are two versions of the pattern. Be sure to mark the version you are working on.
Non-Beaded Version:
Row 1: K2, +YO, Sl 1, K2TOG, PSSO, YO, K1; rep from + to last two sts, K2.
Rows 2, 4, 6, and 8: Purl.
Row 3: K2, +K1, YO, Sl 1, K2TOG, PSSO, YO; rep from + to last two sts, K2.
Row 5: K1, K2TOG, +YO, K1, YO, Sl 1, K2TOG, PSSO; rep from + to last 5 sts, YO, K1, YO, SSK, K2.
Row 7: K2, K2TOG, +YO, K1, YO, Sl 1, K2TOG, PSSO; rep from + to last 4 sts, YO, K1, YO, SSK, K1.
Rep the above eight rows 3 times more (4 times total).

Happy Birthday!!

Today we celebrate the birthday of my lover, constant companion, daddy to my children, breadwinner, my  soul mate.........................................................Even though we were married young, our lives have evolved together.  So, today I wish my Hubby a Happy Birthday!

The young Dan on our wedding day in 1963

And the man today!

Love you! 

More every year!

Linen Warp, Silk Weft

It is my good intention to finish this warp before the end of April--we have 6 days and counting.

What we have here is linen warp, set at 30 epi (ends per inch).  I used some handspun 2 ply brown cotton to space the warp after tying onto the beam.

Of course, there is Always a threading error when I weave--can you see it?  I use a straight pin to attach it back into the warp and anchor

we are weaving with handspun single silk--and there is another error--in fact, two errors to deal with.

Cut that off and begin again.  The trouble with this warp is that I used two different weights of linen, which means when in the dent the smaller warp doesn't fill in the space as well as the larger warp--make sense?

Here you can see the trouble--I also did a free form twill reverse threading and without thinking got the heddles to close--e.g.. 1-2-3-4-3-4-3-4--

Not going to take it out now--tomorrow I'll cut this off and begin again--sett at 24 epi

maybe, that will work better.

Wish me luck!