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cloth with the cracks built in

3/10/2020

 
Picture
They are not usually
​the point of cloth --
​
​cracks, I mean--
Picture
places that light
shines through.
Picture
Certainly tapestry weavers
generally work very hard
to make elegant and subtle joins
between shapes
and areas of color.
Picture
At the very least 
we focus ​on warp/weft relationships
to make sure
that our slits are not too wide
and the weft is fully packed.
Picture
And at  all cost
we avoid hanging the works
anywhere near direct sun.
Until, ahem,
​we do.
Picture
Yesterday I warped a loom--
and began to weave a watery landscape
(complete with lots of hatching and color blending
cuz -- you know-- so many great colors of paper).

Then several inches in
I stopped,
 unwove the entire thing
​ and began again.
Picture
The landscape,
lovely though it was,
had no interest in 
(or, it seemed, capacity for)
playing with the light-- 
or, apparently, with me--
too anxious to be done
to enjoy actually weaving. 
​
And who wants to feel like that
about a work in progress?
Picture

Yet those plain little squares--
and the slits between them--
are seemingly just the thing.

As fun, just now---
as very plain knitting.
Picture
I've been, indeed, a bit bemused
by my equal opportunity entrancement. 
Picture
On the one hand--
the ​unpredictable energy
of ​knitted paper.
(Sweater Somewhat Slanted as promised).
Picture
On the other,
 the tranquility
of geometric tapestries.
Picture
And then I notice,
(yet again),
that what I am embracing 
​is paper and light.
Picture
So what can I do
but go with it?
Picture
Donna
3/10/2020 12:45:02 pm

All so lovely - tapestries, tiny elegant sweater, twirly stands, light, texture. And very soothing. Thank you!

Sally
3/10/2020 12:59:00 pm

Sarah, those are beautiful.

Patti Kirch
3/10/2020 01:35:15 pm

Sarah, positively beautiful negative spaces, those space shapes, rectangled and organic ed

Therese
3/10/2020 01:45:31 pm

Paper is fiber, but never considered it much myself. Instructor is having us use it a lot - and am beginning to get it. Lovely stuff. But not ready for the incredible work you are doing. Masterful, beautiful. Love the coiled wire display hanger.

Linda Mesavage
3/10/2020 01:52:48 pm

As always inspiring!

Vicki Aspenberg
3/10/2020 01:58:07 pm

The tapestries and sweater are so pure, elegant, peaceful. I think you are on a roll with the coffee filters.

Eileen
3/10/2020 02:03:36 pm

Hi Sarah These are so wonderful. I have not yet progressed on my tapestry making - despite having started a couple of times with your and Rebecca's fringeless and little looms courses. I had an idea similar to these "windows" at the very beginning of getting enthused about doing little tapestries. You have actually done it. And beautifully!!! Love them.

Jessie May
3/10/2020 02:09:26 pm

I am inspired...to make a pot of coffee...drink it in my favourite mug...watch the birds at the feeder...plan the next step...we must do what we enjoy!

Tara
3/10/2020 02:19:23 pm

I love what you’re doing, but what feeds my soul is your photography. Little sweater with little plant ... particularly exquisite. The way you notice and love light makes your images a cut above.

Susan
3/10/2020 02:38:30 pm

I have to admit I was disappointed that you didn’t apply the Navajo technique when weaving squares. But when I saw the light coming through the slits of the weave, I was overwhelmed with joy!!
You never cease to amaze me!! Thank you for being YOU!

Barbara Armstrong
3/10/2020 02:44:29 pm

I love the new tapestry pieces, incorporating slits as an important element in the design. I found it difficult to work with coffee filters, getting stuck between the cutting and spinning parts of the preparation, but look forward to purposefully using slits in wool-weft tapestry pieces. Yours are lovely and innovating and inspiring.

Therese
3/10/2020 03:14:05 pm

Sarah, would you mind doing a bit about your wirework? If that’s what it’s called. If you do your own, what tools, wire, etc do you use? It contributes a lot to your displays!

Peg Conroy
3/10/2020 04:08:09 pm

Yes, your talent of wire-form weaves right into beauty of your tapestries. I too would appreciate information on the wire you use and how you shape it! Thank you.

Patricia
3/10/2020 03:30:52 pm

Lovely, lovely, lovely...

Velma Bolyard
3/10/2020 03:39:23 pm

i love this weaving with paper and light so much

Lynn Somerstein link
3/10/2020 04:07:12 pm

WOW! You know how to have fun!

Sarah
3/10/2020 04:08:37 pm

Sarah these photographs are beautifully composed and lit. Such graceful shapes and so much of interest to look at. Love this post!

Debra Price Agrums Sposa link
3/10/2020 04:39:53 pm

You and your designs and ideas always inspire, thank you for your generous sharing Sarah, I so love your blog!

Phoebe
3/10/2020 04:45:09 pm

You hit a home run with these; especially the the geometric pieces on the curved wire. I live in the desert so spinning paper is too hard on my hands, but I am working on a substitute. Really, really lovely work.

Mary
3/11/2020 04:27:05 am

I'm curious, what substitute are you using?

Deanna
3/10/2020 05:09:10 pm

Every post is another enchantment.

Linda Healey
3/10/2020 05:48:12 pm

Something magical about paper... such a old substance, it has heart I think! The light comes through the subtle colored squares do naturally, so organically.

Ama Bolton
3/11/2020 04:09:39 am

Oh, such gorgeous photos! What a feast!

Terri Bryson
3/11/2020 08:30:56 am

Gorgeous!! And...done for the most important reason of all----it makes you happy.

Kantu
3/11/2020 11:13:33 am

Love your sense of humor and fun. Nothing more precious in today’s world than the personal sense of achievement, pleasure and fun. Thank you for always bringing smiles with your blog.

Ann Marie Miller
3/11/2020 03:24:41 pm

Sarah, you are a freaking genius. How I love, love, love the simple geometry and the reclaimed paper. And the slits. And the knitted mini sweater. You are an inspiration to me always.

Quinn link
3/14/2020 03:16:49 am

I always enjoy your posts, but this one is especially marvel-ous :)


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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