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backstrap monologue

5/19/2020

 
Picture
You know that feeling
when you've spun some yarn,
generated a few questions,
can't continue without answers,
and Wikipedia just won't cut it?
Picture
Of course you do.

​Technical and aesthetic inquiry
into physical materials
requires  experiment.
At least -- it does for me.

My brain will make stuff up--

and is not to be trusted.

My hands, however,
know what I like.

​Sometimes the process
goes like this:
Picture
If I spin these batts like this,
leave some as singles
and ply a couple of hundred yards
with ​that silk/merino stuff
I spun months ago--
Picture
--wait-- better size these singles--
what was it I did last time?
Oh yes, right--
gelatine---
Picture
---then wind the warp with a strand of each,
and weave them together like houndstooth
(two strands of each in both directions),
​at an open sett--

--and how do I... Oh... right--

use the plastic heddle--

works great--

anyway, can't carve 12 epi 10 inches wide--

​mmmm love these shuttles--
Picture
Nice.

Comfy  too--
​
--and still blending in
​with my surroundings
Picture
like a chameleon.

Huh.
Picture
Best to try several weft combinations--
--test my reactions.


Ugh. Not enough twist.
Oh right, I spun it from the fold
on the Charkha--
only way to cope with top.


I don't like top.
Or silk.

​
Spindles are better. 

And wool I prepare myself.

So fussy.

Oh look! Done already.
​Where do the days go?

I thought this was supposed to be slow cloth.

Picture
`Gee Whiz.
​Silky cheesecloth.
Picture
Better after a bath--
some vigorous fulling--
let the wool  do its thing.
Picture
Ah yes.  Much improved.
​Nice drape.

Now....stitch between the sections
and cut them apart.


 Do  so love my sewing machine.
Listen to it purr.
Picture
Still don't much care
for the silk/merino part though--
even if it is shiny. 
​Too shiny, really.
Not enough loft, or bounce.


Darn -- thought I'd figured out 
a way to use up that stuff.
Oh well. If it's wrong, it's wrong.
Picture
Tapestry warp--there's the answer.
It's worked before.
Silk is strong, anyway. 
More twist though.
Maybe a 3 ply.
Back in the cupboard for later.

Now--
keep spinning--
need enough for next time --
all wool--
same structure.
​Sizing? Decide then.


OK. ​Back to it.
Picture
What was I doing?
​OH yes, re-arranging my studio.
How am I going to store these books?
Picture
Margaret
5/19/2020 12:36:49 pm

LOVE this post! Love them all, really, but it is so reassuring to know that someone else out there has the voices in the head thing!
thank you!!!!!

Lara
5/19/2020 12:47:09 pm

My mind chatters (chitters?) too! Beautiful to see your backstrap weaving, and handspun commentary.

Nancy Martin
5/19/2020 12:52:40 pm

Dear Sarah, Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, inner voice so glad I am not the only one -- it is reassuring!! Love whatever you do, always perfect in my opinion. And really like the weave with the silk even though you were not quite satisfied. Did you make anything with it or just left in closet for later. And, thanks for sharing all your books makes me happy that the piles around me is not just unique to me (family have their thoughts on the matter).

What is the best book you ever read on tapestry weaving and also on the art of using color - I realized lots of great on-line classes but wonering what you viewed via print. Thank you for sharing !

Marian Stratton link
5/19/2020 07:58:40 pm

I notice your mended garments and had to smile. I finally got to go to our local library today and one of the new books was about mending and the social responsibility that goes with owning clothing. I passed up on checking it out because I was taken with a new cookbook and embroidery book but maybe next time. So there are like-minded people in "our" world.

Vicki Aspenberg
5/19/2020 08:15:05 pm

Lovely and helpful post. Thank you.

Jessica link
5/19/2020 09:24:07 pm

which charka do you have? I'm thinking of getting theindian book charka from etrade...

Sarah
5/21/2020 01:42:46 pm

I actually have two Charkha—a very slow Ashford one, and a super fast book Charkha which I highly recommend

Ercil Howard-Wroth
5/23/2020 03:31:46 pm

You might look at the Bosworth, Journeywheel charka (book size and briefcase size). I love mine!

Patricia link
5/20/2020 02:29:45 am

Thank you for this moment of sharing inner thoughts-dialogue. Mixing material, I need to experiment more on that.

Dita
5/20/2020 10:48:10 am

Love Uppecase magazine.

Donna
5/20/2020 11:05:36 am

I love that you do something and then have to step back and rediscover what you did. Happens to me a lot! Keep in experimenting. Fancy cheesecloth- to me it looked like a light shawl, so beautiful to wear.

Barclay Dunn
5/21/2020 11:45:30 am

Hi Sarah, I am a novice weaver and not very good, but the thing that bothers me most is how the sides of the weaving start to pull inward as i progress. How do you make the edges of yours so consistent and perfect? Thanks for your thoughts, love your blog, etc., Barclay

Sarah
5/21/2020 01:49:46 pm

Even selvages are a lifelong pursuit for all of us, no matter the weaving technique. Basic principle is to get a consistent amount of weft in each pass/pick/shot (pick your word), and always more more than the distance from one side to the other. How much more depends on fiber, technique, weave structure etc. If you’re weaving tapestry, check out Rebecca Mezoff’s website. If rigid heddle, Liz Gipson (Yarnworker). Mostly — keep weaving and have a good time.

Barclay Dunn
5/21/2020 02:18:57 pm

Thanks, Sarah!

Ercil Howard-Wroth
5/23/2020 03:33:50 pm

Dear Sarah, I love reading your blog.. I love anything you write... somehow it brings the creative to the forefront and helps me to focus more to live more in the creative part of my brain. Your spirit is amazing. Hope you are staying safe and well. Fiber on! ((oh, and the piles of books make me feel so much less guilt!). :) Ercil


Comments are closed.
    Picture

    ​Sarah C Swett 
    tells stories
    with
    ​ and about

     hand spun yarn. 


    Picture
    Click for info on
    my four selvedge
    warping class
    with
    ​ Rebecca Mezoff  
    fringeless


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