Feb. 13, 2014 - My New Bag

With the help of Doni’s Delis clever bag design, I turned my hand-woven ‘garden banner’ into a small tote/purse. I lined it with hand-dyed hot pink fabric.

I’ve used it exactly once since I finished it last fall.

Decided that the the many playful loops, bobbles and fringes were better suited to a garden banner than a purse so this week I trimmed away most of them.

Like it somewhat better now.

Jan. 16, 2014 - A Garden Banner

A 7” wide ‘banner’ that I wove with the idea of sewing a bag. But it looks so good hanging on our grape arbor, I think I should weave another one using only natural fibers - I’m sure the birds will love picking bits from it for building nests.

I finished this last October. I just didn’t get around to blogging about until January! tsk.

Oct. 18, 2013 - Suspense

Ran into a problem with groups of loose threads in my pre-wound warp. When they first became obvious I just stuck the toe of a sock under them where they pass over the back beam, lol, so I could keep weaving, but eventually I fixed them by clipping on film canisters with pennies inside.

As soon as the end of the warp appeared from its brown paper I measured and found there’s just enough for the bag I want. Yay! Can hardly wait to see how it’s going to look!!

So one part of me is in a hurry to be done and move on to sewing, while another is really enjoying the slow pace of designing-as-I-weave, made even slower because I’m mostly using fine yarns. Sport and worsted weights are only for accents as I don’t want my bag to be heavy or stiff.

Look at how little warp is left now - I’m more than halfway.

Sept. 26, 2013 - Getting Acquainted

I’m going to try very hard not to over-think my first Saori project. After all, the previous owner of my ‘new’ loom has already put on a warp and started weaving, so all I have to do is pick out some yarns.

I chose a bunch of little bits and bobs of mostly wool yarns from ‘the bins’ plus an assortment of cottons and a few novelties. Here I go; this should be fun!

I’m using a measuring ribbon to keep track of how much fabric I’ve woven. I’m hoping to reach 7 feet because I’d like to sew one of these little bags. It’s made from one uncut long strip, perfect for handwoven fabric!