Fiber Monday - Current projects which are leading to much bigger projects
I have a few projects that I have begun which I realize are all going to become much bigger things. I didn't necessarily plan it this way.
The first is the project I just got started on my floor loom. I decided that I wanted to teach myself the structure of doubleweave. This is a cool structure where you can weave two layers of fabric at a time. They can be completely separate, attached along one side so that it opens into a piece of fabric twice as wide, or sewn into a tube connected on both sides. I just haven't been able to wrap my head around how it works, but I knew if I just followed the directions and did it, it would start to make sense. So that is what I did. I have a three yard warp on the loom to learn doubleweave.
Today I finished dressing the loom and could start weaving. I have two separate layers of cloth! And I was correct that it now makes sense. At least this variation does.
Do you see the green layer of fabric underneath and the white layer on top?
When I first started this project, I thought it was merely to understand doubleweave and that I might not ever weave it again. And then I pulled this pillowcase out of the dryer.
Yes, that would be the pillowcase I had repaired a few weeks ago, now shredded in a new place. I'm going to have to admit that the fabric is so compromised that I have to give it up. And I ground my teeth and was annoyed over the state of modern textiles and why can't they make them with decent fabric. And then I realized I am a weaver and could weave some cottolin (a yarn that is a mixture of cotton and linen) yardage and I could make fabric to sew pillowcases. And then I realized that not only could I weave yardage, but if I used doubleweave I could just weave the pillowcase and only have to hem them. So that's what I'm going to do... once I figure out how to weave a tube and how to move from a single piece of fabric to the tube. Don't look for pillowcases anytime soon.
Project number 2 is what I'm going to do with the fabric I wove on my rigid heddle loom. I pulled it off the loom earlier this week.
I then spent some time fulling it, which is essentially felting the yarn together a bit to make a more solid fabric.
It's hard to tell the difference between the two. Look at a close-up.
Before fulling
After fulling
I have visions of making this into a skirt, but it's going to need some more structurally sound fabric along with it. So I decided to weave some burnt orange plain weave on this little loom.
It was given to me and I've never tried weaving on it. I thought it would be fun to weave the fabric for the skirt only on little (not multi-shaft) looks. The warp is measured, so the next step is to dress the loom. I have a sneaking suspicion that dressing this loom is going to be fiddly.
Finally, my pattern drafting class has started back up and we began to draft the trouser foundation. Pants that fit well! Can you imagine?? I have the muslin all traded and cut out, so I just need to baste it together tomorrow.
After the trouser foundation class, we will move on to creating actual patterns and create clothing to wear. I've been thinking quite a bit about what is the first pattern I want to create. After this morning cleaning the barn in -3°f weather, I know what I want to do.
J. has a pair of boiled wool trousers that are so warm that he only ever wears them for winter camping. I want a pair of boiled wool trousers for super cold days in the barn! I've even found some places that sell boiled wool yardage. It sounds lovely to have a pair of pants that keep my legs warm that are not snow pants which are vaguely annoying and bulky. And since I have yet to meet a piece of clothing that I think I "too warm" I'm not worried they will be too much.
I think I have enough to keep me busy for a few months, don't you?
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