I finally registered for my class next month at John C Campbell Folkschool in wedge weaving. I received the needs list this week and it included 2-3 pounds of weft. I promptly put my order for a number of shades of green, but just one tangerine skein for a line that pops occasionally. I had seen another weaving with blues and a hint of yellow that got me thinking on those lines. (Thanks, K) I'm excited about the combination. I have no plans and hope it's just a generally random thing, but we'll see what the instructor has in store for us! 
The second "homework" assignment I had was building a larger loom. This is not a beginner's class and it required knowing how to warp a floor loom. I've never done that (yet!), but talked with the instructor about using a tapestry loom. She was game. So this weekend for Valentine's Day my husband and I built another loom that's 28" x 33". It's amazing how big it is once we brought it in. I'm calling it the "big sis" to the other loom!
It's a basically one of Archie Brennan's student pipe looms, but I added the leashing unit to the smaller pipe loom. I did make one change. I knew I would need to warp this for a continuous warp and wasn't sure that I liked the loom sitting on the warp and eventually the weaving, so I used tees (instead of elbows) and 2" of pipe at the bottom to create feet for the loom. It actually made warping the loom easier because the spool could pass under the bottom pipe without lifting the loom. I've warped it for 16" wide and thinking there is about 40-44 inches available in length. Now I've still got to put on the leashes, foundation and header, but I'm relieved this much is finished!
8 comments:
Love the colors you've chosen!!! That will look great!
That's great that you're going to John C Campbell Folk School. I've heard such good things about them!!
That's cool that you made a tapestry loom! I've been doing a tapestry sampler on my rigid heddle loom, and it's OK - but working horizontally like that gets a little uncomfortable. I once used a tapestry loom in a workshop and I liked it much better!
Have fun at your class!! Take lots of pictures!!
Sue
lovely colours Jen, actually reminds me of the northern Australian bushland as the gum tree flowers are bright orange. You'll have fun. K.
K - I had not thought about tree with the bright orange, but you are right. The wedge weave also makes me think of long leaves. I'm excited to see where this ends up.
Sue,
I've been to the Folkschool for a weekend and then to Arrowmont for a week, but this will be my first week at the Folkschool. It a much bigger and more diverse school than Arrowmont, but each has it's charm. Building the loom was very easy. I'm sure you could do it. In fact, the first time I saw these pipe looms it sold me on tapestry weaving. I just don't have the space for a floor loom, but always wanted to weave!
You go, girl!
Sounds just fantastic with the new larger loom, Jennifer!
I'll look forward to your future comments about it on your blog.
And I just know you'll have a great time with Connie L.
Tommye
Thanks so much Tommye! I'm excited about the class and the loom! The other nice thing is if I am slower in progress than my classmates - I can always take the loom home and finish the weaving there. Whatever happens I think it will all work out nicely.
The loom looks great, and seeing a loom with a fresh warp on it never fails to excite me. It's kind of like a blank canvas or paper, it has unlimited potential!
I love a blank sheet of paper also - so I understand the excitement! That's one hting I love about weaving it seems like something wonderful is made out of virtually nothing.
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