Sylvia and Sally Here For An Extended Stint

Sylvia and Sally came up at the end of March to weave for two weeks. 

Sylvia threading up her second project

Sally threading her first project

Kate fine-tuning the threading in Sylvia's dishtowel warp

Sally threading her venetian carpet

Sally's fine herringbone clothing fabric

Sylvia working up a draft

Sally's first project finished and hemmed

Sally's venetian carpet on the loom

Sylvia decided she wanted to come up and weave for a couple of weeks, and talked her friend Sally into coming up with her. Sylvia's from Easton, MA and Sally is from Bozrah, CT. They wanted a good stretch of time to weave intensively on a few projects and to work with Kate about understanding pattern drafts a bit better. And of course, on the way they were introduced to Kate's efficient very method of warping and beaming on single-handedly.

Sylvia's first project was an 8/2 cotton warp for dishtowels in a rosepath twill pattern, with what she affectionately called "very ecclesiastical colors". She sampled four different treadlings to show several variations of what could be accomplished with a single threading and tie-up. The effect in each towel was very different, very fine and delicate overall. I'm sorry I don't have a photograph to show you of that project, as it was lovely.

Sally worked on a fine wool baby blanket in a huckaback pattern, with very handsome, classic colors...white and evergreen. Before we knew it she finished up and had hemmed her work.

Sylvia's second project was a fine herringbone in 2's/20 wool, to be used as fabric to make a shirt for her husband. She had an interesting time figuring out the thread color sequence in the warp as well as deciding on the weft color, to try and create the overall effect she was looking for. It was something she had long wanted to make, but hadn't tried before due to the fineness of the warp and weft. But her fabric was beautiful, and she learned more about repairing broken warp threads (which happen to everyone), and really enjoyed creating such lovely and useful cloth of this type.

Sally's second piece was a lush wool venetian carpet, after the Silas Burton patterns. After getting accustomed to putting in every shot with the aid of a sword, she was off and running, and although I wasn't there to see the final product off the loom, I know she finished up quickly because her loom was empty when I returned the following week.

These two weaving friends were a delight to work with and to have with us as a part of our little community for the duration of their stay. We exchanged many stories and shared much information, and we hope they will return to spend more time with us in the future. Sylvia, Sally...thank you!