Tag: linen

Critter Napkins Change of Outcome

Karen

Twelve different critters, designed and woven with checked borders. This is combination drawloom weaving at its best, to create fun napkins that our grandchildren will enjoy using. However, as I unroll the length of 6-shaft broken twill fabric from the drawloom’s cloth beam–critter after critter, a new idea emerges. I’ve been weaving these critter napkins for quite some time, and have never considered another use for these woven animals–all of which have been seen on our Texas Hill Country property at one time or another.

Time for cutting off!
As the critters roll off the cloth beam, a new idea starts rolling off my mind.

Then, as I lay the fabric out across the floor, the fresh idea crystallizes. This would make a spectacular throw!

Armadillo, Fox, Porcupine, Jackrabbit, Whitetail Buck, Wild Turkey, Roadrunner, Longhorn Steer, Texas Spiny Lizard, Ringtail, Raccoon, and Blackbuck Antelope. And then as extra, three dogs from our children’s families – Luna, Toby, and Comet.

Just like that, and the critter napkins go out the window (figuratively speaking). Now I am imagining three panels of four critters each, sewn together into one large piece.

Laying out the washed and dried panels in different configurations to find the most pleasing arrangement.
Three panels of different lengths are arranged strategically. Sample weaving from the beginning and end of the warp will fill in the spaces at the top and bottom of the shorter panels. I am trying to find a woven band (at far end of table) from my “band box” to use for covering seams of the pieced ends.

Yes, this is the best use of this woven treasure that I have had so much delight in designing and weaving! All the fascinating creatures can be seen at once, on the front or on the reverse side.

This is something we can enjoy together with our grandchildren when they are at our home!

I decide to create a couple handwoven bands from the linen and cottolin threads in the critter fabric. These bands will be the perfect complement with which to finish this project.

I am designing stripes to weave a narrow band on my Glimåkra Band Loom that I can use with the Critter Throw. The stripe pattern on the far right is the one I am choosing to use.
Band is black on one edge and midnight blue on the opposite edge. This beautiful band is a joy to weave.
I thought I would weave just part of this warp, and then start on a wider band that will also be used for assembling the Critter Throw. Once I got started on this band, I wanted to keep going. I sat in front of the fireplace fire a few evenings in a row and happily finished off this 9-meter warp.
This is more handwoven narrow band than I need for this project. Much of it will go into my box of handwoven bands. You never know when you’ll need another band for something.
Designing a wider band that corresponds to the narrower band.
This band is about 2 cm wide, which is just right for what I have in mind. When I finish this 5.5-meter warp I will be ready to assemble the Critter Throw!

Handwoven fabric has surprising lessons for us woven in! We might be certain that we know what we are doing. I knew I was weaving critter napkins, and never questioned it. One view of the bigger picture, though, changed everything. God has a bigger picture of our existence than we realize. He invites us to see life from his view through faith in Jesus Christ. In the moment we give him our heart, everything changes, and that’s when we see what we were really made for.

May your changes be for the better.

Happy Weaving,
Karen

New Wash Cloths Out of Handwoven Remnant

Karen

My looms are all occupied, so it will be a while before I can weave some new wash cloths. In the meantime, I am making “new” wash cloths to replace the ones that we have used so much that we’ve worn holes in them. The pictures tell the rest of the story.

Linen wash cloths have been well loved and well used. Evidently, it is past time to make replacements. These will go in my remnants box and one day I’ll find a use for the parts that haven’t frayed.
Cotton warp, linen weft. This two-block twill was one of the first projects I ever wove on my beloved Glimåkra Standard first floor loom. I designed this fabric to make a Roman shade for our previous home. Parts of it are faded, but it is still beautiful, useable fabric. Perfect for a set of “new” washcloths.
For simplicity, I am using another washcloth to measure the size to cut for the “new” washcloths.
Cutting to size, taking into account seams on all four sides.
I probably should have pressed before cutting, but I didn’t think of it until now. The long narrow woven band was used for the pull cord on the Roman shades in our previous home. Perfect to pair with these washcloths for the hanging tabs.
First step for the mitered corners is to fold in the corner twice, and pin into place.
Second step for the mitered corners is to fold in the side hems twice and use quilters clips to hold in place.
Approximately 4 inches for each hanging tab. I zigzag the ends and then cut them apart.
Then I plan where the hanging tabs will go, testing how the cloth will hang.
Clip the hanging tabs into place.
Stitch the seams. At the mitered corner, I would like to have about four hands as I remove clips and hold things in place while I walk the presser foot around the corner. Whew!
Nearly perfect! Nobody needs to know these are secondhand Roman-shade wash cloths.
The new wash cloths are right at home between the other handwoven goods hanging on the bathroom wall.

Happy Weaving!

Karen

Two Pictorial Tapestries Finished

Karen

The Glimåkra Standard is where I am most comfortable, even though the reach of the full width is stretching me. The curtains for the bathroom are progressing. No new news, just continuation of adding cloth to the cloth beam.

Still weaving this M’s and O’s curtain yardage. Looking forward to the day the curtains will hang in our remodeled bathroom.
Fabric is adding up on the cloth beam.

The Glimåkra Ideal is patiently waiting for a new tapestry warp. I have a bit more design work to do on the cartoon, and then I’ll be winding the warp with the 16/2 linen I have set aside just for this project. I’m eager to show the new tapestry idea to you! Soon!!

I am finishing up the next critter napkin design for the drawloom. This one is a roadrunner, and it is just…about…ready…to weave.

The Glimåkra Julia is getting filled up on the cloth beam, too. This wool goose-eye fabric is going to be fun to sew into a winter cape when it comes off the loom!

I like to check on the cloth beam to see how it is filling up. You can see there is still more warp on the warp beam.
Julia with four shafts. Ribbon pinned on the side has marks that help me keep the diamond pattern square.

And finally. Drumroll. After a year of sitting on the sidelines after having been cut from the loom, two small tapestries are now hanging on our walls. I did the finishing work of adding a slat for hanging, stitching a backing in place, including some zigzag quilting stitches for support, and stitching up the sides and the hem.

Beginning to mount the tapestry by adding a wood slat at the top.
Backing is added to the back of the tapestries. Zigzag stitching at the top helps secure the tapestry so it will not sag. One small nail will hold the tapestry to the wall.
Heaven and Earth
Intricately Created: Delicate Wing of a Monarch Butterfly.

It is good to finish, even if you do it a year later. Now I am really ready to start the next tapestry.

Happy Weaving, Karen

Extraordinary Animals on the Drawloom

Karen

Armadillo, fox, porcupine, jackrabbit, and deer are leading the critter parade. The twelve napkins will include the most common, the most interesting, and the most unusual animals that visit our backyard here in Texas Hill Country. The white-tailed deer are the most common, by far.

Feet first. The white-tailed buck is taller than he is wide, so his feet touch the bottom border. Pulled single-unit draw cords are seen on the hook bar pegs above the beater.
Just past the midway mark on this napkin, as seen on the measuring ribbon pinned on the side.
Having a large chart beside the loom helps me keep track of each row as the weaving progresses. One pattern shaft draw handle is pulled, which forms the pattern on the side borders. The single unit draw cords form the center image.

This white-tailed buck is one that Steve photographed on our property. I use Affinity Designer on my computer to turn a photo into a silhouette that I can use for my drawloom chart. It is a thrill to see the image emerge in the threads on the loom. From animal in our yard, to photo, to graphic chart, to threads on the loom! The common is made extraordinary.

The draw handles are pulled for the checkerboard pattern that goes across the bottom and top borders of the napkin.
Antlers of the buck reach nearly to the top border. Hem area is teal blue.
Before the buck, there is the jackrabbit. And before the jackrabbit is the porcupine. And the fox and armadillo before that are in hibernation on the cloth beam.

Even more extraordinary is what our Lord Jesus does with a common human like you or me who puts faith in him. As you look at the threads on his loom, you begin to see that it is his image being woven in you.

May your days be extraordinary.

Happy New Year,
Karen

Who Gets the Jackrabbit Napkin? Drawloom Dilemma

Karen

Jackrabbit. This critter is one I would like to see more often. We call him “Jack,” or if there are two of them together, they are known in our family as “Jack and Jackylina.” The jackrabbit makes me smile because of his tall ears and mischievous-looking face. The nice thing is he doesn’t cause any mischief, like some of the other critters around here. He will sit completely still, without a twitch. I’m sure he wants you will think he’s a rock, and pass on by without noticing him. But if you get a little too close, he hops up and quickly dashes away.

When we have all twelve napkins at the dining room table for a family gathering, how will we decide who gets Jack the Jackrabbit? This one could be everyone’s favorite.

Teal blue linen weft. The jackrabbit is one of my favorite critters in our Texas Hill Country area. I like their humorous profile.
Just reached the halfway point on this jackrabbit image. This is all single-unit draw until I get beyond the area where the nose and feet are in the side borders. After that, the borders will be the simpler pattern-shaft draw.

As with the other critter napkins in this series, the borders at top and bottom, and some of the side borders, use the pattern shaft draw system. The jackrabbit in the center and the “broken borders” use the single unit draw system. I am very happy to weave with this Myrehed Combination Drawloom Attachment. The possibilities are endless…and fun!

Happy Weaving!

Karen