On 10 November 2007 I wound a warp for the very first time. The next day I finished dressing the loom and wove my first picks. I had a copy of the Handweaver’s Pattern Directory by Anne Dixon, access to the internet and all its wonderful resources and a secondhand 4 shaft Robinson table loom. Some never before seen photos of that first sampler:
Two years on I have a growing library of weaving books, a developing stash and 3 looms – the Robinson, an 8 shaft Ashford table loom, and a 24 shaft Noble floor loom. I’ve been fortunate to go to weaving classes with Liz Calnan at the NSW Handweavers and Spinner Guild.
Here’s a look back at my life as a weaver (click on any of the photos to go to one of the original blog posts about it).
(Edited to add: pretend the rest of the text is at the bottom, after the photos. WordPress seems to want to squash it all at the side in a totally unreadable format.)
I don’t know if that (below!) seems a lot or a little for two years of obsession. I suppose I am occasionally forced to give some grudging minutes to family, home, work, washing my hair etc.
So what’s next? In progress I have a warp tied on but not beamed for more huck lace (seen yesterday) and some silk chenille experiments on the Ashford loom. Weaving class at the guild should start up again next year, plus I’m booked into a one-day class on painting/dyeing warps at the Guild Summer School. Next April I’ve got a week-long class with Kay Faulkner at the Orange Textile Fibre Forum.
A fortunate life 🙂
(now the bit that should be above!!! Remember you can click on any photo to go to that blog entry)
Great post! It’s interesting to see your work evolve and what you chose to focus on at different times!
I know a lot of weavers who get really obsessed with weaving and do a lot in a short period of time. I try, try, try not to envy them too much and try to honor my own temperament – but I’d love to try that many projects in 2 years!
Thanks for showing the benefits of focusing on weaving!!
Sue
I am very impressed!
Really? The second anniversary? The term “leaps and bounds” come to mind. I second Peg.