2013/12/11

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The cotton warp is done. I like Triona's piece; it looks different in different lights, but I particularly like it when the blue designs lifts off the background like danging earrings. The selvedge is problematic, and my hemming technique has much to be desired, though. (I'll post a bigger pic after she's received the piece.)
I don't like my fabric for my project. I chose the weft color because I liked it in the sample (bottom, below), and used the twill draft because I made it but hadn't used it and expected it to weave quickly and easily; it turned out to be excruciatingly boring and the weft makes the cloth looks dark and in disharmony. I should have gone with the squary draft. But stay tuned for the project. 
 
Some time ago my yarn source asked me to sample a yarn, and I did this at the end of this warp. As control sample, I did a bit of the twill with the same 2/20 in white. And look! Christmasy!!
So it wasn't all a waste.

This is a silk scarf from Myanmar Mom bought me in Japan some years ago; she knew I'd go goo goo gah gah over the grays. And of course I have.
For many moons I've looked at cotton like these,
and dreamt of weaving with silk like these,
So imagine my surprise, when I found myself making this warp as the first inspired by the scarf. Doni's cashmere glided onto the warp beam; so smooth, so lovely. And in case you can't tell, (weird weather today,) it's half red-and-orange, and half red-and-pink, and the red came from two dye lots so are ever-so-slightly different. I'm using a subset of the Pillars drafts for two pieces from this warp; at least that's the plan at the moment.
Until I took a pick of the scarf on the couch, I had thought it was in two colors split down the middle. When I admire something so much, I revere them too much to look at them closely, I know.

9 comments:

Sandra Rude said...

Those reds are going to be spectacular!

Meg said...

I'm hoping, Sandra, but I'll have to do a few samples to decide on the weft color and sheen... I may even dip into my silk box, though that's asking for tears in the selvedge department...

Anonymous said...

I love your grey silks! That's exactly what I am craving at this very moment. Can't wait to see your reds in action, though.

Meg said...

Ohhh, come to the gray side, Cally... The desire is strong in this one.... (But I am not your father.) Sorry, feeling a bit silly this morning.

margery meyers haber said...

All glorious yarns, Meg! I can't wait to see the results.

Meg said...

I do love the grays. And I have a lovely set in wool that would be very fine but easier for me to weave. Or less worrying than silks - because they would be selvedge-suicide for moi, Margery.

Meg said...

This certainly surprised me, I can tell you, Jane. I mean, for days I had thought it's such a boring draft, while I persisted and wove the 180cm with much cheerful music and chocolate, and WHAM, just by changing the colors, there are these... pine trees!!!!!

Anonymous said...

This afternoon I have just spent an enormous sum of money to increase my choice of grey silks - and I have only bought teeny tiny amounts for sampling! When I have to buy actual proper amounts for making, my bank account will implode.

Meg said...

I know!!! This is why I "rescue" so much silk from Mom's stash, even though for some reason she has lots of greens. (She's not a green weaver, either.) But talking about bank accounts.... I had one hour at the dentist yesterday. Enough said. :->