Weaving Wonders and Woes

Today's post has been 2 years in the works. This is not because I've been working on writing it for two years, but because the submission has been sitting in our inbox for 2 years. I'm not a weaver; the only weaving I've done was in 3rd grade with those cardboard looms and yarn. That doesn't quite make me an expert. I tried reading about weaving to figure out how to trouble shoot the submission and I just didn't feel like I got it enough to give tips on how to get this project down. So I waited. My aunt is working on her BA in Art and has recently completed weaving courses. Now that I have someone who really knows what they are talking about when it comes to weaving, I figured it was time to pull this submission out of the archives. 

The Original Pin

http://www.craftpassion.com/2010/03/recycle-tutorial-woven-rag-rug.html

That is a cute rug made from old bed sheets! Isn't that fantastic?!

Anna gave this a try and didn't have the results she'd hoped for. 

The Pinstrosity

"First of all I think I was too aggressive in pulling the fabric - I should have just looped the fabric around the end pieces and not pulled tight at all. Secondly, I think the cardboard was not nearly strong enough (or I wanted to make my rug too big and therefore the weight of the fabric was too heavy?)."

"I tried making a wooden frame out of wooden dowels and nails. Alas, I kept pulling too tight (even though I tried really hard not to) and it started cinching in again!!!"

"Kept it small because I couldn't keep the larger shape intact"

"Cats like it at least".

Before I give Alice's response I thought I'd add in this photo as a reference for weaving nomenclature:

http://www.cd3wd.com/cd3wd_40/vita/handloom/en/handloom.htm

So the weft is the fabric that you weave into the warp (which is the vertical fabric attached to the loom). 

Alice says, "Anna, I love the colors you've used in this. First thing to know is your warp has to be super tight, so the heavy fabric needs a wooden frame, or even PVC pipe or any other clever frame. Secondly, if your weft fabric has any stretch, when you lay it into the warp it will indeed contract and squeeze the middle of your rug in too skinny. While I would love to make something that has that particular effect on my personal middle, on a rug it's just a disappointment!  Stretchy fabric will work, just make sure you've not pulled it tight before you beat or pack it into the warp. I just made a frame for weaving you might be interested in, to see it go to www.whatercolorit.blogspot.com. Good luck and happy weaving!"

In addition to weaving, Alice also works in watercolor and pastels. Check out her blog and her work!