Touch of Quality

Repeat good practices to form good habits. Since weaving is filled with repetition I try to be attentive to the effects of my techniques. With every touch of my hand – picking up a shuttle, straightening a line of weft, tightening the ratchet just so after advancing the warp – I have the end in mind. Quality is the goal. Consistency is the key. And, consistency emerges from good habits.

Tied back on after cutting off sample rug.
Midway on the first section of the rug. Two more full pattern repeats will follow.
Tidy selvedges. The fabric weft is turned under twice and pulled snugly against the outer warp ends.
After a series of weft stripes the second pattern repeat is being woven with red fabric strips for weft.

With every touch of our Grand Weaver’s hand, he has the end in mind. Little children were brought to Jesus for him to lay his hands on them and pray. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not try to stop them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” And he placed his hands on them… Consistency is the key. Jesus welcomes all who come to him with childlike faith. His consistency emerges out of his goodness.

May your hands keep the end in mind.

Love,
Karen

9 thoughts on “Touch of Quality

  1. Good morning Karen,
    As usual, your work is a wonder to behold! I love this rug, especially the subtlety of the pattern. I looked on line for the book you mentioned (Alskade Transmattor) that has this draft and I can’t find it anywhere. Any suggestions?
    Thank you,
    Pam

  2. If I were only consistent in making time to weave! Letting big and little things get in the way, I often return to the loom much later, unable to remember what I was doing and how to do it. Years later, I have accomplished little. My dream is, to one day, call myself a weaver. So too in my spiritual life, I forget what I once had and how to get back there.
    What is the width of your countermarche loom and how many shafts total? Does this meet your needs? Thank you kindly for your blog! I really enjoy it.

    1. Hi Pam, The good news – for weaving and for our spiritual health – there is always a way back to the starting line. Today is today and we can always start being consistent in a few things that matter. To me, you are a weaver because you have already taken that step to see where you are and where you want to go.

      My countermarch loom is 120cm. It came with 8 shafts and 10 treadles, which is more than sufficient for what I want to weave. I did outfit it for 12 shafts and 12 treadles, but I have only used that setup 1 or 2 times. 4-8 shafts is my sweet spot with this loom.

      I appreciate you taking time to share your thoughts!
      Karen

  3. Hi Karen,

    I will break the “Pam” line.

    What a wonderful surprise to see your posting tonight.

    God provides.

    Today my knee was replaced. But, the work on the loom will be completed once I give the same attention to detail for healing I show for weaving.

    Please keep sending happy lessons.

  4. The word “consistency” has 6 different meanings in Swedish so I have to connect the one who seems to fit your writing best. I have a small tapestry that I have been stuck in for months. Can’t figure out the end. It started as a tapestry of grief but along the way I thought there must be some comfort at the end. Some light in the darkness. But as I can’t draw and my yarn is limited the end is uncertain. On the other hand the end of my life has been on my mind for a long time and I am happy to say that God has assured me over and over again what the end will be, with the words of Romans 8 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,”. Reassuring his child it will be well in the end.
    Ida

    1. Dear Ida, “Reassuring his child it will be well in the end.” Your expression of faith is inspiring to me. Your tapestry will be a personal representation of the hope that extends through a season of grief and weaves light into the final image. I’m certain you will find an appropriate way to finalize your special tapestry.

      Karen

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