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Wednesday, April 27, 2016

2015 Weaving Exchange

Our blog today will feature 2 of the items created for our 2015 weaving exchange.

One of our members created a double weave runner with Huck Lace borders and Huck Spot Background for the 2015 weaving exchange.  The red and white runner was created to enable her to create a woven item for her double weave study group and to create an item for the lace exchange.  

After submitting the runner for the exchange she wove 4 matching place-mats.
The second runner is the item she received in the exchange.  It was woven using a modified Bronson Lace structure - Dogwood Lace. The original source of the threading was Handwoven May/June 1988.


Sunday, February 28, 2016

Visit to the Deep Cove Weavers and Spinners Guild


It was my pleasure to visit with one of our member guilds, the Deep Cove Weavers and Spinners Guild on Tuesday, February 22nd.  The group meets weekly in a nice bright space in the Shoal Centre, Sidney, BC.  I can just imagine the fun they have on the weeks where they have show and tell.

Guild members are currently helping the Victoria Guild get ready for the Association of the Northwest Weavers Guild conference coming up in 2017.  The conference will be called Treadle Lightly. It should prove to be quite an exciting time and I am sure I am not the only one looking forward to it.

A big thank you for inviting me and giving me the opportunity to meet your membership.  More information can be found on their blog
http://dcwsweavers.blogspot.ca


Sunday, December 6, 2015

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Elegant Threads 2015

This past weekend, one of our member guilds,  the Qualicum Weavers and Spinners held their annual Christmas sale. 

As usual the turn out was great and the work presented was stunning. It is always amazing to see so much talent all in one place.

How fortunate I am to be part of this wonderful group.  If you would like to find out more about the guild or see some of the sale photos check out their blog.

Linda Wilson

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Our Guild Weaving Exchange

One of the most appreciated benefits of being a member of our Guild is receiving a sample with each bulletin.  We owe thanks to each of our member guilds that take on this task! I can just imagine all the excitement once the samples are woven and they get to handle the wonderful samples.

We also have an annual exchange for members to participate in.  In 2015, each member is weaving a lace table runner.  Each participant chooses a structure and researches that structure.  Once the runner is woven, it is mailed to the assigned member.  There is no entry fee.  All written information, drafts, and notes are exchanged to all members via email.  

The runners are sent out in the fall and our spring Bulletin usually features photos and as much information regarding the items as possible.  Members can also request more information regarding the exchange items.

I can hardly wait to see what the members have created this year!

To view previous exchanges, please visit our website Gallery page using the following link:






The Guild of Canadan Weavers

Friday, September 25, 2015

Weaving Opportunity

The following message was submitted on September 19, 2015

Next year is the 250th anniversary of the Steeves/Steves Family move to NB  from PA because, probably, of persecution during the American Revolutionary  War. Around the 200th anniversary, a 'tweed' was designed using 7 colors, each representing the lineage from one of the original 7 sons. The fabric was woven by the now-defunct Humphrey Woolen Mills, Moncton. I have 2 human hand-sized swatches. The senior weaver here in Fairbanks, Alaska,  looked at the swatches & suggested the following:

The fabric is probably a twill variation, 3/1. The weft is dark brown; the  warp is a repeating yellow/green/turquoise/royal/green/  red/yellow/green/turquoise/royal/ green/pink.

The yarn is approximately 224 worsted single ply.

The warp is 32-36 ends/inch

Two questions:
1. I would like to have enough reproduction fabric to make a kilt. At  least 6-8 yards.
2. It is possible, since next year is the 250th anniversary, that the
Steeves Family Inc. might be interested in commissioning a commercial-sized run of fabric (whatever that might be) to offer for sale to the attendees.

Although I live in the USA, it makes more sense to have the fabric woven in Canada to avoid customs costs & to take advantage of the dollar difference.

Can anyone help with either of these needs?

Thank you.

Anyone interested should contact weaversatelier@shaw.ca and I will give the persons information.

Sunday, August 2, 2015

2015 SAMPLE TWO – SHADOW WEAVE

Information about our bulletin sample submitted by : Pat Zannier
Thank you to Pat for submitting and writing the article and to Nancy for weaving it!

A regular twill, i.e. one without skips, is a good basis for a Shadow Weave draft. For this sample, the Atwater Shadow Weave method was used. This works on the principle of using a DARK end for each thread of the original draft. Accompanying each DARK warp is a LIGHT end which is threaded on the opposite shaft. (Opposite of shaft 1 is shaft 3; Opposite of shaft 2 is shaft 4, opposite of shaft 3 is shaft 1, opposite of shaft 4 is shaft 2.) Here is the original “M&W” twill threading, woven as drawn in:

Following is the above twill draft re-written. The DARK ends follow the basic draft, with the addition of an extra end at each reversal or turning point, plus an empty space is left between each DARK end.

The next step is to add the LIGHT ends. First, determine the direction of the twill line, either ascending or descending (see arrows over the draft). The LIGHT ends are inserted on the opposite shaft of the DARK end, but will precede or follow the DARK end according to direction of draft. Use this chart for placement of LIGHT end. Note, dark is always the same as original twill draft, the LIGHT ends either precede or follow the DARK ends:

LIGHT DARK LIGHT

DESCENDING ORDER ASCENDING ORDER
(light end precedes dark) (light end follows dark)
3 1 3
4 2 4
1 3 1
2 4 2



Adjustments at turning points: First, an extra DARK end was added at each turning point in the original twill draft. To keep the symmetry of the DARK / LIGHT order, when inserting the LIGHT ends at the turning point either add or delete a LIGHT. When changing from Ascending to Descending, use only one light end between the two darks. When changing from Descending to Ascending, there will be three light ends to accompany the two DARK ends. Always keep the DARK / LIGHT order and be consistent when making adjustments at the turning points.
Here is the complete “As Drawn In” draft showing DARK & LIGHT ends:
It is difficult to see the threading and treadling pattern with this type of computer draft. I usually write or print out the original draft with the extra ends at the turning points to get the threading for the DARK ends, leaving a space between each end. Then I write in the LIGHT ends with a pencil or different colour:
With this method, the pattern of both the DARK and the LIGHT ends is clearly visible and logical.

To weave, use the standard tie up. The above draft starts with DARK on shaft 1 = DARK pick lifting shafts 1&2. Next, LIGHT on shaft 3 = LIGHT pick lifting shafts 3&4, etc.

Alternate two shuttles, DARK and LIGHT throughout and treadle as drawn in to get the “M & W” pattern. If the pattern is written out and DARK and LIGHT ends marked clearly it is easy to weave with above tie up as feet will alternate from left to right.

Any twill treadling draft without skips can be used with good results. Follow same procedure as with the threading, first writing out the treadling pattern adding extra ends at the turning points, leaving a space between each dark pick, drawing in ascending or descending arrows and then filling in the LIGHT ends according to the chart.

Nancey Orosz was the weaver of this sample.