Mardi Gras Towels: A Splash of Colour 🌈

 Apparently some time has passed since I last posted!   Oops....   it wasn't on purpose, I have been side tracked with some Life issues.    Now Christmas is almost on us.... so more hustle and bustle.

So if you are taking a break from holiday preparations, let me tell you about my second project on Maeve, my Megado 90.   After some fairly 'vanilla' colours in my first project, I decided to get a burst of colour. I have a large collection of 10/2 cottons and so I looked through the brights and pulled together this warp.   Each section is a point twill or reversed point twill.   It was the same  threading as the first warp or from handweaving.net's draft # 79912. I didn't like the weird line that appeared across the weft every pattern repeat so decided to look for and change to a new tie up. I found the tie up for #34861 on this threading looked kinda nice.

Beaming on 7.5 yards

And using weights on the various warp bouts to tension.

This was the first of three treadling variations; 2 towels of each. 

This gives you an idea of the threading and one of the style of treading I used. Easy enough to play around with and create a new look. 

This is the draft 34861 where I 'borrowed' the tie up plan. I have used this one before and it's a nice crisp design as is.    Its goes to a new level with the threading change.

They look great with the black and brushed nickel appliances.   I had to crop this one as the reflection showed me in my nightie!  Geesh....    Sunshine appeared briefly so I ran for the camera!  

I got six full sized towels, which I laundered, steam pressed and turned the hems for hand sewing.

I couldn't decide which side I preferred to make the top side, so I hemmed one either way in each grouping. Each of these three pictures show both sides. 

And below is a more open towel, one showing the darker weft..... 

.... and the more brighter side.

One was gifted to a friend and another was sold and is in Ontario.  It was a good Christmas sale time for Canadian vendors on Etsy as Canadians focused on buying  🇨🇦 made goods. 

Today is the winter Solstice: the shortest day of the year and longest night.  First day of winter and the start of the return of the light.   This day has the most meaning for me, and I love all the light displays around town.

Wishing you and yours, a joyful Season!  🎄 🎁