May 31 2010
Checking in with a weaving question!
Hi all,
Sorry I have been so absent from Guild meetings. I think life is beginning to settle down again and I have hopes of fitting those in once more.
In the meantime, I have been weaving my first project on the Norwood loom (you can see my adventures on my blog. This first project is bath towels and I have actually finished one!
So of course I am never happy unless I have the next project planned which will be a blanket! I have the pattern and yarn all picked out. The yarn is Harrisville Shetland 2 ply.
I will weave the blanket in two panels. I am still puzzling as to whether I will weave them on the same warp, thus creating a pattern, or different warps, thus keeping more or less the pattern I selected.
My questions are:
How to make sure the panels are the same length? What do you all use to do that? Do I measure under tension or not? I have read a lot of contrary opinions out there on the web.
And how to attach the panels together so they don’t look attached?
And finish the fabric before or after attaching?
Any thoughts are welcome!
5 Responses to “Checking in with a weaving question!”
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Hi, Susan, my .02 on your blanket:
I’d make the halves on the same warp. And I’d measure with tension
off, as that’s the only way to know the tension is the same on each piece.
I can’t help you with the other aspects, but I’m sure someone can.
Good luck with the project!
It’ll be nice to see you at the guild meetings when you can get back.
I enjoyed reading about your new Norwood loom.
Is it one of the cherry models?
I have the 24″ cherry Norwood and it sure is pretty and weaves great!
In regards to the blanket:
I’d probably wet finish both panels first then perhaps use the mattress/ladder stitch to join them if you want a flat, seamless appearance. If not, then maybe some decorative trim or seam binding that’s centered over the join and sewn along both edges. Then there’s always an open faggoting type stitch which might look pretty.
I’d like to see photos of your bath towels. Can you post to the Gallery?
Thanks, Patricia and Kathie! All suggestions are good!
Kathie, I have only woven one towel and it’s still on the loom! I did make great progress today on the second by weaving almost 20 inches. I always put pictures on my blog!
The Norwood is an old one. I don’t think the Norwood Loom Co. made the 45″ loom anymore. I’m liking it a lot as I get to know it better and better.
Thanks again!
We miss you! Looking forward to seeing you again soon. I second Patricia’s comment. Speaking from experience, having woven a blanket that used two warps, each being cut into two panels to create a four panel blanket, I would weave the first panel and cut it from the loom. Retie and then weave the second panel, using a non-stretchy measuring device (twill tape works well) that you can pin along the selvedge as you weave as a general guide. Of course you could always plan one long warp and cut it width-wise through the middle and weave it such that the two panels are purposely different. Are you planning on fringe?
Thanks, Melissa! I knew you had done a blanket so I was hoping you would chime in!
Your suggestion sounds the “safest” for me to do! I had been puzzling how one warp could be cut into two and have the two halfs make sense together. I still have to do that but it might be easier to visualize.
Thanks!