April 9, 2017 - Started Dressing the Loom

Really meant to start warping on Saturday. But the day got away from me. So Sunday it is.

Wound the warp. Got it onto the loom. Also got it threaded through the heddles.

First time doing anything but Tabby/plain weave. So it meant paying attention with threading the heddles! It was interesting.

Wanted to get it completed. But it got too late. Better to wait and get it right than rush & screw up!

April 10, 2017 - Finishing Dressing

It is funny… I really thought that it would be simple to sleigh the reed since I was doing a 1 to 1 in the reed. And with my first project, I was having to work out leaving a gap. But I missed one along the way & also doubled up 2 threads in one reed. But I caught both before I was done. And they are all set.

Got it tied on. Though I kept going back & tweaking the tension.

I decided to start at both ends & work to the center. Not sure if that was the best method. But starting at the one end was pulling the apron rod too much at one end & I knew it would be funky. I think I would start at the center & move out next time.

Used some of the Dresden Club yarn still on a bobbin for the header. It is a bit light in weight. But it is about getting it evened out. And it was already on the bobbin. Think it worked out well.

Got the first tabby section started & put in the hemstitching. I think working the hemstitching on the loom makes it soooo much easier & neater. So I suspect that will be my default with most projects.

April 11, 2017

My first twill! Think it looks pretty good!

I am definitely getting used to a floating selvage. But I think it is working well. Though I can tell I will be wishing I had some film canisters later in the project. laugh I did clean out some pill bottles. Hope that helps.

I do wonder… It is pulling in some. Is that supposed to happen? Or am I pulling too tight at the edges? It looks good & even. But I am not sure.

Finished

I didn’t mark this completed as it needed a bath & the edges finished. I know I took it off the loom before moving. It got its bath in the new house.

Currently living on top of a small bookshelf. Not sure if it will always live there. But I really love it. Love the sampler. Seeing the different patterns. Really a great beginner project & allows for lots of playing with pattern.

The info does warn that the edges won’t be even. They aren’t. I did wash it & then iron it out while still wet. I have heard that will bring up some sheen to it. Think it worked.

Need to take some good pics.

Meant to Mark Complete!

Didn’t get it washed until we were in our new home! Got to wash it in the washing machine. After so many years of apartment living, it is awesome to be able to use the washer for finishing work. Think that will be a great bonus for woven work, especially cotton.

I laid it on the drying rack to dry & pressed it after it was complete.

Still need to take some pics! Currently have it over a short bookshelf. Love getting to show it off! Probably the piece I am most proud of weaving so far! Gave me the confidence to think about starting one of the scarves out of the beautiful handpainted Tencel I got at MD S&W in 2017.