Fiber Arts Friday - Rigid Heddle Rocks!

Welcome to Fiber Arts Friday!  Each week Fiber Artists from around the world meet here to share their adventures in Fiber Arts.  So...what are you waiting for?  Link your Fiber Arts Blog in and share in the fun.  If you visit, please leave a comment and join the Fiber Arts Fun!


This week I am going to share with you what I learned at our first meeting for the Rigid Heddle Study Group I help create as part of the Weavers Guild of Kalamazoo.  We decided our first project would be to weave fabric to create a bag.  A couple of weeks ago I shared the woven fabric I created and now I can share the bag.  It's done...almost.

I didn't realize that when you learned how to weave that you would have to sew too.  Yikes! I found my sewing machine under piles of blankets and clothes but decided that I didn't want to use my rusty sewing machine skills on my newly woven fabric so I hand-stitched the bag.  I pinned it together then put it inside out to sew but somehow messed up and ended up sewing the wrong side together so...I tore it out and had to start over.

The second time was the charm and it is totally done...well, almost.  I would like to add a fabric lining with a pocket or two so I plan to visit the fabric store this weekend.   Maybe I will use my sewing machine for that.  Once I get the lining in then I will clean up the two top edges of the bag with a simple stitch and it will be done.  I plan to make a couple of these as gifts and have already made one as a project bag (didn't get a photo before I sent it off...sorry) which turned out nice.

Sister Bear helped me warp the loom for the next bag which will match the fingerless mitts and hat I've already knitted her.  She is excited to have a bag to add to her ensemble. Yes, she used that particular word.  I love that little bear!

Now, back to the Rigid Heddle Group.  Terry, who has inspired me to find the weaver within, brought a rug she just finished using a 32 (?) inch Rigid Heddle Loom (I forgot to write the measurements down but pretty sure she said 32).  She was able to share with us what worked and didn't work with her rug experiment which will help as the rest of the group ventures to rug making.  She also shared the bag that she finished and lined.  She used a different type of cotton than I did which created a stiffer bag and not quite as soft to the touch (according to her).  That was why we all tried different type of cotton though...so we could see the difference.  We also found that the tighter you beat the weave in will affect the handle of the fabric. (oh, I hope that makes sense.  I am trying to use terminology that non-weavers would understand) Terry also used her sewing machine to stitch everything together and it turned out fabulous including the lovely lining.  Knitamazoo was still weaving on her Cricket so hopefully she will share her bag adventure on her blog for us to see.

Dawn aka Knitamazoo also shared with our group her experiment in weaving loops.  Our group decided that our next project will be to work our way through the Jane Patrick book, The Weaver's Idea Book.  We are going to work on Finger-Controlled Weaves and decided that we would create lots of spa cloths with our experiments. Dawn showed us an example of how her first try turned out.  The best part about the spa cloths is that they are useful, make great gifts plus you can warp a super long amount and just keep going and going and going...

So...once I finish Sister Bear's bag (or should I say once she finishes) then I can warp for the spa cloth experiment.  We decided we will meet monthly for our study group which gives me plenty of time to get started. If you are local and interested in joining, please let me know. 

The nice thing is that we agreed to go at our own pace.  It's all about the learning and enjoyment of the weaving process so I am excited to take my time savoring each new skill I acquire. I have also ordered the DVD that Jane Patrick created.  It's packed full of great demonstrations. I am a visual learner so this will be perfect! I am just so amazed at how much I will be able to create and learn on that little Cricket loom.  I am loving my new adventures in weaving.  Now...share your fiber arts adventures for the week!

Fiber Arts Friday Blog Carnival! 

To participate:

1. Submit your blog article using your current blog address NOT your complete blog  i.e. you would submit 

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com/2010/02/e-i-e-i-doh.html  

NOT 

http://wonderwhyalpacafarm.blogspot.com

1. Link back to Fiber Arts Friday from your post so that your readers can come and see everyone else’s projects! Text link to  WISDOM BEGINS IN WONDER!   
2. Visit as many of the other participants as possible and leave comments! That’s what helps us all connect!

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