May and June 2020 Newsletter Weaver’s Fancy

*********************** We are here together, this dream we call life. We are the weavers and the woven ones, the dreamers and the dream. Devaa Haley Mitchell ************************ Wow, what a crazy time this is that we are going through! We hope you all are healthy and well and using this time to fill up your creative soul….. I am so grateful for family and friends and the magic of modern technology It’s amazing what you find when you to keep all of us connected! Thank clean out boxes and files! Who knew you, Jennie for suggesting and then that Van Gogh painted weavers….I setting up our very first Zoom meeting didn’t! in April! It was wonderful seeing all of you!

I have also learned the importance of stash building- thank heaven I was well prepared!!!

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Book Review- I recently viewed a recommended Going through my library, I website for the Pikes Peak Weavers rediscovered a gem of a book. The Guild. It’s a neat website and one of book is- The by Verla the best offerings is a free e-book. It’s Birrell. It originally was published in called “Sensational Towels, Napkins 1959 and it covers not only many and Placemats!” Their website is aspects of weaving, but also dyeing, www.pikespeakweavers.org To go directly to the e-book, google the title braiding, knotwork, , fabric and it should pop-up for you. There printing and . It is a are many 8 shaft patterns and a few 4 worthy read! shaft, as well as lots of great ideas. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Recently Barn of Kansas shared Another great website is by Elisabeth a reference guide for creating towels Hill. She has beautiful examples of her using the you have in your work, and you can sign-up to receive stash during this pandemic. In case information and updates from her you missed it here are the guidelines: blog. She has taught at John C. Campbells Folk Art School and at -For three towels, each some weaving guilds, including approximately 13.5"x22” wind a teaching at Whidbey Weavers Guild three yard warp in Washington. She lives in -Make them 15”in the reed, follow Massachusetts. Her website is the chart for sett and total # of ends. www.plainweave.net If you don’t have the correct reed just get close to the one recommended.

Weaving Definitions -Thread for a straight draw and when winding your warp, thread for a few Draught- An alternative spelling of threads of one color and then move the word Draft. Both spellings are onto another color- just have fun and correct but “draught” is now be random. considered rather obsolete. - Tie your harnesses for

and for less stress, use one color for weft and have fun!

Chart for Sett: 2. Use a finer weft and neutral

Average yarn Sett Total number color such as a light gray size of ends 3. Choose a warp-dominant 3/2 12epi 180 structure to show off your 4/2 15epi 225 warp- try . You will have 5/2 16epi 240 two different looks to your 6/2 18epi 270 cloth with one side warp 8/2 20epi 300 dominant and the reverse weft

dominant. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% 4. Create blocks of color to make your painted warp colors show Currently our self-run workshops are clearly. If you want clear on hold (rug weaving and warp- patterning but with an equal painting). I have reached out to amount of warp on both sides several nationally known weaving you need to design a fabric instructors for 2021 and we are that alternates warp-dominant currently in a holding pattern areas with weft-dominant because of the pandemic. areas…try a birdseye 2/2 twill To help contain my disappointment using a darker weft, like a as well as yours, I thought I would chocolate brown or black. share some thoughts and ideas by Tien Chiu’s website is one of the “Color Stars” of the www.warpandweave.com She has weaving community- Tien Chiu. many neat ideas on her site and you “How to show off the colors in your can sign up for her e-mail blasts also. painted warp”

1. Use a denser sett than what is

called for your yarn, which will crowd your warp making your %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% weft less visable. If for a TO WEAVE OR NOT TO WEAVE….. balanced weave with 10/2 you would have a sett of 24epi, WHAT A SILLY QUESTION. instead warp for 30epi %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Joans Tips: Rigid Heddle Tip: When direct warping, take Shortcut Lasagne-Mexican Style a heavy pearl guide string from the back beam to the warping peg( make it the 1-10oz can enchilada sauce project length, plus loom waste, plus about 1-14oz can whole tomatoes cut up 6”). Make sure you tie it to the back apron rod and the warping peg. Then move the 1-6oz can tomato paste loom or peg until it is taut. If when warping you notice that it is loose, you will know 1-16oz can black beans rinsed and that either the loom has moved or the peg drained and you can readjust. 9 oz lasagne noodles uncooked

1 pint(2 cups) cottage cheese (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((( 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 375. In a bowl mix first 3 Being creative is not so much the ingredients and then add beans. desire to do something as the listening to that which wants to be done: the 1. Spoon a third of the bean mixture in dictation of the materials. the bottom of a 12x8 baking dish. 2. Top with 3 uncooked lasagne Anni Albers noodles. Spread with 1 cup of the cottage cheese and 1 cup of the cheddar cheese. )))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) 3. Add 3 more noodles remaining 1 cup cottage cheese and 1 cup cheddar cheese 4. Add last three noodles, remaining

bean mixture and remaining cheddar cheese. Cover tightly with foil. 5. Bake 45-50 minutes, or until noodles are tender. Let stand at least 5 minutes before serving.

May Birthdays Margie Kowalski May 5

Margo Tennis May 5

Diane Denekas May 7

June Birthdays We need a new member for June!

Weaving Drafts: