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on weaving letters

8/9/2016

 
Picture
I begin each letter by weaving the shape below it
what I call the cradle.
In the case of the 'e' in progress here, 
that means building the curve below the e with as much attention as I will subsequently apply to the letter it self, taking advantage of the highs and lows where I can.
Picture
Picture
Since many letter elements involve wrapping around a single warp, or maybe two, I usually anchor the ends with a needle.  
This not only stabilizes the letters, but also avoids the tangle of tails that decreases the flexibility of the finished piece. 
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Picture
I often begin letters by burying the tail of the yarn as well
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Picture
I left the wispy end sticking out for demonstration purpose, and will snip it off when the letter is further along.
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Wool Warp and Weft
I forgot to take photos while weaving the word 'worsted', but the same principles apply no matter what font/handwriting I am using
Picture
A doubled warp, as with the four selvedge warping technique for instance,
allows the wispy weft tail (never bluntly cut, but always untwisted, broken or frayed  with scissors as with the linen ground weft in the photos below), to be anchored/trapped between the warp pairs and then wrapped. 
Picture
Picture
The needle technique works well too. 
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linen warp and background weft. wool letters. walnut Dye
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The only exceptions to my 'no weft cutting' rule are the ends of the yarn I've already anchored with a needle, which I cut off from the front as they will not pop out in the future.
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And though the letters are in mirror writing on the back,
​I still love how they look.
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Picture
Karen Maddi
8/9/2016 04:51:13 pm

This is so cool. I have struggled with making letters before--thank you for explaining how you do it. I am really a fan of your pieces with writing.

patti kirch
8/9/2016 05:05:00 pm

You have magical instructions, cradles and negative space. You have a way with words and pictures, woven and written. Thank you, Sarah.
valueshapeszinesbackstrapsdyestuffswillowtwistingshadowsstories.....

Dee Jochen
8/10/2016 12:56:35 pm

I''ve just woven my first word ever, half before your latest post, half after. Thank you for answering some of my questions. Wondering about needle sizes, dull/ pointed tip.
Just appreciate your work & sharing.

Sarah
8/12/2016 01:20:12 pm

Hello Dee, So happy this was useful to you. As for the needles-- I generally use sharp ones, but that may only be a reflection of my collection of needles. I prefer to have a big eye (for easy threading), and a slim shaft (for ease in slipping the needle and yarn into the woven structure without too much distortion), and my needle collection has more sharp ones like this. Not sure if this is chance or something universal, but there it is and now i"m used to using sharp ones so mostly prefer 'em. The round points are handy for other things though, so I also have plenty. Write/ weave on!

Dee Jochen
8/15/2016 06:36:43 pm

Thanks so much for taking time to respond. Now I will be on a hunt for some sharp needles and get busy with some more letters & words!
Gratitude!

Cindy Dworzak
8/11/2016 07:15:19 am

Love this how to post on letters. I also really appreciate your tip on anchoring the single vertical line. I am getting a good collection of Sarah Swett how to posts. Thank you

Linda Healey link
8/28/2016 04:55:18 pm

This post is terrific, thank you.

I'm a huge fan of your "lettered" pieces, and wanted to know how to anchor the single warp wraps. I have a cartoon ready to go--

Sarah
8/28/2016 08:15:12 pm

Hi Linda. Glad you are giving it a go. As I wrote in the post, I sometimes anchor the trails of the single warp wraps by burying them in the body of the work at the beginning and the end using a needle. Check out the post photos..


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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