Day eight

[altivo]

One more vacation day left, sigh.

And the pattern thickens at last. The reed was sleyed, the threadings checked, the header woven last night. Today I started the actual weaving, as you see it here. This is the first of two patterns I'll be working. It's called "Catalpa Flower" though as with most overshot designs it is pretty abstract. I think more of old television test patterns when I look at it.

When I started out at first, I was puzzled because my fabric didn't look anything like the schematic diagram or drawdown I had been given. Then I realized that it was "upside down" which is to say, the pattern was being woven on the bottom of the cloth where I couldn't see it. A quick adjustment to the treadling sequence so that the opposite shafts were being raised on each shuttle throw took care of that and you see the results here.

I have to repeat this pattern twice more to complete the block. A total of ten of these blocks will be woven in different colors. Then they are cut from the loom and the remaining warp rethreaded for a second pattern, that one called "Chariot Wheel and Table." Ten of those are to be made as well. Now that the loom is finally set up, the weaving is moving pretty quickly. The first time through I'm writing down the pattern sequence so it will be easier to duplicate exactly each time.

Bread is baking, the dogs are fed and sleeping, and I guess I should go back to the loom for a bit longer before bed.

Comments

[frith]

That's pretty amazing. And pretty too.

[altivo]

Better photo tonight, I hope. I'm on the second square, and this recipient chose a dark blue-green color that shows up with much better contrast. It's a lovely design, but not the easiest to weave by any means.