ITMA competition

As a project in my weaving class, we were tasked with following the design brief of the Virginia Jackson deign competition for upholstered prints and, should it meet the qualifications, actually submit our woven work in the competition.

This has been an interesting challenge. First, we had to research current upholstery trends and present to the class our findings. We then had to make a sample warp to test whether what we designed was a good idea and iron out any problems (example, I had to change the sett - how many yarns in an inch - to ensure it was a more sturdy cloth). 

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Then we had to wash our sample and calculate how much shrinkage because the submitted sample needs to be exactly 27" x 27". I had about a 15% shrinkage rate, so instead of weaving 27", I'm weaving 31". It's been a learning process, but with 780 ends, it's been a lot of work. In class today, I didn't make quite as much progress as I would have liked, however...

I did finish threading! 4 hours later... But better late then never!

Double weave wool bag

I made the mistake of trying a new loom - not a mistake so much as being overly ambitious. I wanted to try the Oxaback that was donated to the school by Nel Oudemans. Basically I've decided I want to try as many looms as I can so that if I come across a loom I think is a good deal, I will know if I want it or not. I don't want to settle for equipment anymore. It has to be the right equipment or nothing at all.

So I had a really difficult time setting up this loom - or I should say tieing up the treadles. I ended up having to redo my entire plan because of the time involved in the tie up. It's a countermarche loom, meaning it kind of is a double the set up.

I finally got the tie up right after doing it twice. Then I was able to weave my sample. Friday I stayed at school longer than I wanted to because I was determined to get this project off the loom. And I did! Such a relief. And the expression on my teacher's face was priceless when she saw it in my hand and no longer on the loom. I don't think she expected it off for a while yet (I was given a bit of an extension after I had all of my problems). I'm happy to say I will be handing it in at the same time as everyone else.

Lesson learned: when considering a multi-harness loom, don't buy an Oxaback - unless their tie-up configuration has changed or it is attached to a computer. 

Atlantic Craft Trade Show - Day one

I've made it to ACTS in Halifax. I've had my first shift working the booth. It's not exactly what I was expecting, but I think yesterday was a decent day, so today and tomorrow should be the same or better. I talked to a few buyers as well as a few sellers and am looking forward to doing more of that.

I have noticed that there are not a lot of textiles in this trade show - specifically woven items. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Maybe woven items aren't viable in the Atlantic provinces' market? I think my classmates and I will have to work toward remedying this.

Please check out my Facebook page if you have a few minutes. I've gotten better at posting pictures on there than here.