I'm currently managing three Etsy shops which can keep me rather busy at certain times of the year, mostly in the fall and winter. When the orders wind down in the warmer months, I can finally find time to create for myself. I have fallen in love with my weaving again lately and a new again craft, sewing.
I learned to sew growing up, mostly from my mother. She sewed many a dress and shorts sets for my sister and me until we could sew for ourselves. I never have mastered button holes, still a future goal, but I am recently becoming more competent with zippers.
Since I learned to weave years ago on my first Cricut rigid heddle loom, I have wanted to be able to combine spinning, weaving and sewing to create unique items. I'm 2/3 of the way through this process with one piece of weaving. It's still amazing to me to see a piece of fiber move through the transitions from roving to yarn to woven fiber.
This particular piece is from handspun that I made. I've had it for so long that I can't remember if I dyed it or not. I may have purchased the roving already dyed. It took on an entirely new, and better, look when woven on my 15-inch Cricut rigid heddle using dyed brown wool for warp and using plain weave. I'm envisioning this as the accent panel for a pillow. I didn't allow enough fringe length on one end, so will probably not include this. A simple fold-over style of case, I think would be ideal.
After soaking it in a no-rinse soak and blocking it outside on the screened porch, it is very soft and pliable. A trip to Joann's is in store to look for some coordinating decor fabric which is strong enough to hold up for this weight and bright enough to complement the weaving.
I am also learning a new weaving technique called Krokbrogd. This is a weft-faced weaving style from Norway. It makes a thick and very sturdy fabric. I'm still working out the selvages. Mine are too bumpy when I change colors. I need to re-read that section in Debby Greenlaw's new Krokbragd book. It was a perfect birthday present from friends, very much used at this point.
I've tried it with both my floor loom and my small rigid heddle. It's a more intensive weave with the rigid heddle, with the extra heddles being manipulated during the process, but I'm finding the small looms to be more back- and knee-friendly for me these days. Have you tried Krokbragd yet? I would highly recommend Debby's book both for the historical perspective and the step-by-step instructions.
