Fashion Show coat by Inge Dam
Detail of Fashion Show coat
Inge actually inserts card weaving with a conventional warp on the same floor loom. So you must be familiar with card or tablet weaving AND floor loom weaving. Judging by the fabric above, she is also at home with a dye pot too.
Now what would motivate her to do something like this? Well, that's where we share a love of historical textiles. I love reading about ancient discoveries and the scraps of textile found in the various archaeological digs around the world but Inge took it much, much further! From her bio at her web page :
I have been weaving for 31 years and in 1992 I completed an in-depth study for Ontario Handweavers and Spinners to become a Master Weaver. The subject of the study was Iron Age Textiles from Northern Europe (the Iron Age was from 500 BC until 800 AD). In the course of my study, I became interested in tablet (card) weaving. In excavation of Iron Age sites in Northern Europe (particularly in peat bogs and graves), ancient textiles have been found with tablet woven borders. Through inspiration of these textiles, I now incorporate tablet weaving into my fabrics by weaving the tablet borders and bands simultaneously with the fabric on the loom. I also make unique jackets and bags from my leftover handwoven fabrics.
And wow does she ever make unique fabrics!
At the Theatre Shawl by Inge Dam (32 shaft twill)
Close up detail of shawl
This method intrigues me! So when I heard that Inge had written a book on her method, I was eager to get a copy. It combines many techniques and clearly Inge has mastered them beautifully.
I have been reading her book slowly and carefully as I really want to try this for myself. Its become clear my first place to start is with tablet weaving basics. To simply dig them out and start fresh. Once I have my projects complete for the coming Christmas sale, I plan to get out the cards and thread them up.
Inge's book is well written, very clear instructions and many photographs and diagrams to refer to. That will be a big help once I take the step to progress to something like this:
At the Theatre on the loom
If you are looking for a unique Christmas gift for a weaver, or for yourself, you find all details on this book at Inge's web site: www.IngeDam.net A visit to her gallery is a wonderful browse!
