A Personal Look Back

I recently found a long lost friend! My very first piece of weaving:

It's a plain weave table runner with an alternating warp of pale cream synthetic orlec and natural cotton as warp and I used a fine cotton boucle yarn as weft. I don't recall the sett or total warp length and it seems I didn't write it down either. I did manage to hemstitched the ends and this runner was on my dining room table for a time but somehow it was packed up for one of our many moves and disappeared from view. It was woven on a 4 shaft, 45 inch weaveable Leclerc Colonial loom which was stuffed into a small spare bedroom. The brake slipped a bit and so there were jugs of water to help tension the bands, which were later replaced by a new brake ring.

To back up a bit in the story, I had heard of weaving and seen the Richmond Guild's studio space at the local library. There was no one there to let me in so I looked through the large windows at the looms and equipment and was fascinated. The loom right under the window had a beautiful warp on it and I was smitten! So I decided to go to the next meeting. To that point my textile endeavours were related to embroidery and crochet. Time to expand my horizons! Then my hubby came home and told me about a coming transfer for his job. Oh, dear....

Two months later we were into our new rental home in the Okanagan Valley in south central BC. I lived quite close to Lynnette actually. We went straight into the one of their longest and hardest winters in 25 years. We had 3 feet of snow in the back yard in late March. My main activity was shoveling snow and being bored, bored, bored! I knew no one there and to make matters worse my husband worked long night shifts and slept all day. He was a locomotive engineer. I cross stitched myself into a stupor that winter, but I hadn't forgotten about the looms and weaving. I had taken a video out from the library and watched how to beam a warp and remembered being totally stumped by the process. Obviously it would be better if I was shown how to do this. It couldn't be all that complicated right? A long story a wee bit shorter, I found the local guild and then discovered they had held their weaving classes back in January when I was more concerned with digging myself out of the snow! This was April and I still had lots of snow in the back yard. By May hubby Bruce had found a used loom for sale on the coast and we drove down and back in one day to collect it. I had no idea of how good a deal this was at the time but we paid $500 for a 45" Leclerc Colonial loom that could be either jack or counter balance, a bench, a Glimakra swift, an older electric bobbin winder ( which still runs great today after a new pedal was installed) shuttles and bobbins, reed hooks and lease sticks and even some yarns. There was a box of books, most are of the 1970's publications we all have or seen but there were some classics such as: Burnham's Keep Me Warm One Night, Collingwood's classic Rug Weaving Techniques, Davison's Pattern Book, among others. In fact all that was missing was the apron rods but a trip to a local machine shop fixed that. One weaver volunteered to come and show me the basics and she spent a day with me. Winding the warp around chair legs (I had no warping board as yet!), then beamed on from front to back.... and threaded a straight draw. There we stopped as we discovered the missing rods. I got a copy of Chandler's Learning to Weave and picked it up from there and wove off two runners. This was back in the spring of 1996.
The rest is history as they say.

I thought I had lost out on joining the Richmond guild when we moved there, but unknown to me, I had moved to weaving heaven! Not only was there the companionship of the local guild, there is a weavers guild in most of the cities in the valley there and I eventually joined many, became president of one and made many friends! The weaver who helped me that first time has a yarn store in her home and I spent many an hour absorbing colours and inspiration there ( and we won't talk about the money left behind either...) She freely shared with me and I will always be grateful. Woolhouse Tools also is in the top end of the valley and my new Gertrude loom came to me in July 1998. I renamed her Emmatrude.

Until that day, I used a variety of other looms. It seems that the Valley had enjoyed a weaving boom in the 80's and there was a lot of gently used weaving equipment coming out of closets and storage. We would buy the used equipment and my hubby would restore the wood, make repairs or replace and when they were ready to sell, they were as good as new. This was a neat way for me to be able to collect all the bits and bobs that you need to have. I'm still in touch with some of the weavers who bought our refurbished looms.

I met and made some real neat friends during those years and they are friends still. I also learned to spin, dye and attempt bobbin lace along the way as well. I had some great mentors who shared and encouraged me. I heard such things as:

• "Want great edges? Then weave a mile"


• " Get yourself in front of as many teachers as you can"


• "There is no right way or wrong way to do anything."


• " Always put on extra warp and play around with the treadling... experiment!" ( sample?)

So, enough about me.... I follow a number of weaving blogs and we all visit each other. I'd like to ask you to share your first weaving project and how you came to weaving. I'm sure that you are passionate about weaving as I am, and it has changed your life too. There is a 'real line in your life' where there was BW and AW. Those mean 'before weaving' and 'after weaving' of course.

To finish my story, I can't...... I'm only part way on my journey. Besides, the next warp is ready for Lilibet...

2/16's cotton to be sett 36 epi for tea towels..... 12 yards worth!

Forest for the Trees and other Diversions

This is Connor, our terrier, checking the 'p-mail' at the bottom of the drive. He's there in the shade...

This post will cover three recent improvements here at our place. I wasn't weaving much during all this activity! There was a lot going on on the home front for a lengthy time. I thought I would roll all three events into one post, so to spare you a series of non- weaving entries. The picture above is part of the driveway to our house. Below Connor is the turn off to the neighbour's place and beyond that a bridge over the stream and the orchard area. As you can see, even in the height of summer, it's well shaded by the big trees. In winter, it's way darker and actually quite oppressive. The trees prevent the sun light from hitting the house. Some days we can be sitting in cold shade and can see sunlight through the lower part of the property. So close! So far!

So we had a tree faller come and and take down some trees in the lower meadow areas that were either dead, or dying. Their time had come sadly. Later the stumps were removed as well so we aren't trying to mow around them all the time. Those areas will be reseeded with grass this spring.

Trees up the driveway had to come down to allow more light in. This started okay but by the time they got to the top of the drive, I found I was quite upset! A quick call to hubby and they stopped at the last two trees near the carport. So we still have those trees framing the top of the drive. The fallers did the clean up and and reduced the stump sizes to ground level. We plan to plant some low growing spreading ground cover and in time it will look better.

I couldn't get too close to take the pictures as they were using cable and pulleys to bring them down and it was dangerous work.

A couple of days after all the tree stuff was done, the neighbour's trees fell towards the house! A group of three came down while I was watching. Yes, trees falling do make a big noise! They were definitely heading for the house when the tree below took the brunt of the falling trees and laid them down neatly on the other side of the hedge. It took down a fence near our wood shed and this is all you could see.

Doesn't look like much huh? But trust me, there are three 80 foot tall trees on the other side, laying on the bank of a steep ravine. Tests later found they had something called 'cone rot'. This is where a fungal infection has invaded the root systems and destabilizes them over time. Based on the test results our neighbour brought down more trees in the area and so some big trees that hovered over our heads and house are gone. Sad decision, but necessary give the high winds we can get here from time to time. We were with out power eight or nine times this past winter from trees and branches falling over power lines. There is still lots of trees between the two properties and with spring, leaves will fill in the rest of the gaps. Heck of a way to meet your neighbours but they are really nice folks and now new friends.

So what's next? The driveway... it was leveled and cleared and new road base rock laid down. Spiffy huh?

This work extends down to the lower part of the driveway and a small section will be done later once the machines have removed the tree stumps and level a new small parking area we are creating.

Next? new windows! We replaced 15 windows in the house to new energy efficient vinyl framed models. Most are casements, but some are sliders where there is a deck or walk way. We still have to replace 3 patio doors but those will be done after the new decks are built later this spring or summer. Yup, more work to come! I won't bore you with before and after shots of 15 windows but I chose just a couple. My studio window first. The weather was clear, dry and reasonably warm for a run of about 8 days, followed by snow! Snow that was falling as the last trim went up. So that was close timing!
So here's the studio window before... all prepped and ready to go.

Here the new window is in.... that's John by the way, taping the edges. My hubby, Bruce (with the railway cap) helped lift windows into place.

And here it is after they were done, complete with new exterior trim and new colour.

So how close was the timing? Well here's John's work station for cutting trims:

Then the next morning....

Happily, this was our last snow fall for the winter and it melted pretty quick.

So how chaotic was it? Well you saw pictures of me twisting fringes for the two recent shawls... and what you didn't see was this....

Primer, paints, brushes window cleaners and and room in total upheaval!

This is living room window and the couch is gone as well as all the trims which I had to paint.

Here's my bed pushed over to make access to the window. Clean huh?? That's because there is NO window there. :)
Here the guys are lifting it into place. They do it from the inside so no nasty ladder work with a heavy weight.

So I'll close this post by showing you the inside of my new studio window... real nice! I *love* it.

No more cold drafts or hot sun burning my poor loom!

Okay back to weaving next post. Promise.

Victoria Guild 75th Anniversary Retreat

Model: Sharon Simpson

Model: Gloria Bond.

I would like to thank these ladies from for modeling my shawls during the fashion show! They did it with style and panache.

The Victoria Handweavers and Spinners Guild has had a series of events to celebrate their 75th year. One of which was to host this retreat at the Oceanfront Hotel in Cowichan Bay. It was held April 3rd and 4th. I had a Retreat package, but didn't stay at the hotel. I drove in both days from home. It was only 20 minutes away and I sleep much better in my own bed. The Friday evening was a reception and a 'meet and greet' evening in the ballroom. It was nice to mix and mingle and find old friends and make new ones. A bunch of us went for a walk along the waterfront and had dinner at the Rock Cod Cafe. Then as the ladies headed to their rooms, I drove home along the bay.

Then the next day was busy and filled with activities. I unfortunately missed the silk reeling demo but caught the warping demo by Jane Stafford and later on, a tassel making demo with Audrey and Helen. In between was spinning and socializing and people wandering to 6 rooms where vendors had their wares for sale.

Karen Selk of Treenway was there, Jane Stafford Textiles, Knotty by Nature from Victoria, Pagan Creations from Campbell River, Hummingbird Fibre Arts, Aurelia Wool and Weaving. There were some lovely 'treasures' calling your name and in my case some wandered home with me! So at Treenway, I bought some more of that lovely silk yak blend. It's beautiful to weave with! I also bought a skein of silk bamboo blend. The silk seems to give it a bit more firmness over straight bamboo alone.

At Jane Stafford's room I bought 2 cones of 2/8 cotton in green. It's to help perk up some of my other 'older' colours for towels. I also had a cone of 2/10 mercerized cotton in black on order.

I bought this lovely fibre to spin at Aurelia. The white is silk. Yummy...

At the end of the evening, there were door prizes handed out. Six in total from each of the vendors and your truly won the prize from Knotty by Nature

I was very happy to discover that I had won the new book by Judith MacKenzie McCuin "The Intentional Spinner". Lovely book and full of fabulous information.

The company was warm and friendly, the food fabulous and a good time was had by all.

"Ode to Inge"

Under this protector sheet, is the shawl project! It sat idle for a time as we were so busy with the new windows and when time allowed or I needed a break, I wove and did finishing on the huck lace shawl. The vertical blinds were down and the sun streamed in so I had to shield the loom. When we got the new window in, painted, new blinds up and so I got busy on the loom. ( the black bundle on the side of the loom is a warp for placemats to go on next.)

To review: this is 2/8 tencel, sett 24 epi and is threaded in a 12 shaft M's and W's. The treadling is a bit more complex than the threading as I did runs to and fro and one repeat was approximately five inches in length. I hunkered down and wove carefully as it was easy to lose your place. I did this once and had to 'un-weave' back known starting place.... almost four inches back! I did develop a rhythm in time and soon it was done.

Then I pinned it out on my styrofoam board and started twisting the fringe. I did the black and red sections first to ensure continuity. I also wanted the beige ends to be solidly beige and not a mix with black or red. {See my post: 'A Good Twist to the Yarn'}

Twisting the ends took two full afternoons as there is a lot of fringe here. Once complete, off the board and now comes the bead stash bag. The red in this shawl is more of a brick red and if I was to use red beads, they had to be the right shade and happily I had one bead that matched!

Beading took another two full afternoons as it's a slow process. This time I set the beads in between the fringes so it will appear worn either side. No double beading as with the last shawl thank goodness. { See my older post: 'Gilding the Lily' Feb/09}

Here it is prior to wet finishing and everything is a bit stiff. Washing really settles all your work into it's place and completes the look you want. Same as the huck lace shawl, I soaked it in warm soapy water for 20 minutes and gently squeezed it through, rinsed, then spun it out in the machine. I hung it over a pvc road to dry after pulling it into shape and untangling the fringe bouts. The next morning I gave it a hard pressing using steam and the shine popped out and the tencel turned to 'butter'. The fringe swayed and the beads relaxed. All I need to do now is to trim the ends of the fringes. This I do by laying the shawl on a table with a cutting mat under the fringe. Straighten all fringe, lay a yard stick across the cutting line and roll through with a rotary cutter. It gives a wonderful sharp line.
So here is the shawl draped on my studio manikin and pinned to hold it up! Gotta get some arms..

A closer shot to show the pattern:

And the bead details...

Now, I'm aware that this shawl has an unusual look to it and may not be for every one's taste. The inspiration for this shawl was the work of Inge Dam. Inge is a Ontario Handweavers and Spinners Guild 'Master Weaver'. Inge did her thesis work on the ancient textiles found in the burial sites in northern Europe. These ancient weavers wove using tablet or card weaving sewn onto their clothing or in some cases actually woven along with their cloth on their warp weighted looms. These bands were much more than methods to tie their clothing to the body, they were adornments and decoration. Inge has incorporated card weaving into her cloth in bright, modern and unique pieces. I would love to show you her weaving here but I hesitate to 'borrow' her images and so ask you to visit and view her work here.

I hope to one day try this method for myself, but in the mean time this shawl gives the appearance of bands while being loom woven. As for wearing it, I see a simple black dress with a Celtic style necklace. Or for the really brave, a simple but stunning brick red dress. I have always had a love of archeology and in particular ancient textiles. I have a number of books on this topic but here is one that features burial garments found in graves in Greenland. The title is 'Woven into the Earth' by Else Ostergard. The Viking descendants found here had no trees to make coffins, so they buried their dead in wrappings of clothes. Most likely older clothing and not their best. The conditions preserved the cloth and they were found with tree roots growing down through them, hence the title.

So when you sit at your loom, what ever style, do you think on weavers that came before? Each thread is a link to our collective past.

For Friends Still Coping with Snow

Fresh today, hellebore.... and for some reason the white plant didn't come up this year. No sign of my trillium yet..

A shrub by our front door... sorry, don't know its name.

Crocus by the studio

Mini daffodil with the crocus crowd


Snow drops... they are so sweet.


The stream on our property... winter has beaten down the grasses. It has trout ...and....

...other critters! This trail is their path in and out of the water. Looks like we have Otters.

Now they will be hard to catch with the camera.

This is hubby planting some early seeds or bulbs.

Okay, how does your spring look where you are?