After my absence, I am feeling as if I am restoring some energy finally. Jude is really inspiring me with her ideas and teaching with the “Cloth to Cloth” workshop. Today I tried to do one of her techniques called “anchored weaving.” I started with a solid piece of fabric, in this case a printed silk basted at the top on to a cotton backing.
The instruction was to cut up to about a half inch from the top in varying strips. I love that Jude does this free-form, so I did too.
(Please excuse this photo). The next step was the actual weaving process. I wove in one silk strip and then placed a ruler to guide me for the next strip. I tore the strips this time instead of cut them, and I love the way they fringe and add more texture to the weaving.
This is the finished piece. I cut the edges to even them out and then pinned them. I need to baste them as well.
This is a closer view. I used a variety of silks including two velvets and another that I printed about ten years ago. I was thinking a great deal about this technique and how much I love it. I feel as if I have broken free of so many rules. I am guessing this method will be my favorite going forward with any kind of quilt making or creating of fabric pieces for other projects. I feel like a rebellious teenager who is refusing to accept the old worn out standards of doing things. It feels so good to be a little brash and carefree.
Almost three lampshades done and five more to go before I am ready to go market them. I consider this my job now. If I did not set my mind to this, I would never get anywhere with them.
The third one is on my work table waiting to be finished….tomorrow. Until then I will be weaving in my head!
I love using the manuscript piece as a back ground. For me, my eye stops and tries to work out the words or letters so looks at the piece in minute detail. I will certainly use torn strips to make or simply to embellish a waistcoat, and bag cover. I can see developing this into a simple jacket as well.
It is strange how knowing a technique is sooo different than seeing one to inspire me to investigate it further.
Thank you!
When I signed up for this class with Jude, I told her that I thought this application could be used in clothing. And, of course, with your focus, this would be a fabulous and creative exploration for you in so many ways. I would love to see what you do with it if you are willing to share. Also I am curious about your upcycling class and how you are enjoying that.
The fabric weaving is fabulous! Jude has really taught me a lot about “letting go”. She is an amazing fabric artist.
I have not taken any of her classes yet but, it is my goal to do so at some point…
I remember when I began to leave edges “raw” without
turning them under and making them neat; I had a hard time
with that! Of course that is what I always loved about Jude’s work. The beautiful free form that she creates. Now, I am hooked on that method and love it.
Your lampshades are fabulous and I know you will do really well! <3
I have been thinking a great deal about this “letting go” ever since I started this class. How does one teach that? The only lasting way is by example. No one can tell you to let go and let it have any lasting and meaningful impression. I think one lets go simply by the practice of doing it over and over again, and then it becomes just a part of your thinking and being. I also think when one starts out with letting the raw edges exist, there is definitely an unease, a concern that the piece will not last. However, I am completely trusting of the technique and know that Jude will enable me to learn the process of stabilizing it through layering and stitching. You are way ahead of me in this regard. I can see you doing very well in this class if you take it in the future.
Thank you for the thoughts on my lampshades. They are fun, but not in the same way that cloth weaving is!
You expressed “letting go” so perfectly! So true.
Thank you <3
Oh thank you, but I think you discovered this long before I arrived!
It is a lot of fun, this weaving! I’ve been really curious about velvet for weaving and will have to try it soon. Love the polka-dot lamp shade.
I think I could safely say, I am becoming addicted. Now I am thinking of a hundred projects for this technique…I am trying to pace myself and not go overboard as is my tendency when something grabs me. Thanks for the compliment on the lampshade. That one was a particular b—- to make as I had used a poly fabric and poly fabric does not take glue very well. In the future I will stick with only natural fibers.
That top piece rates a WOW. I think that I would spend the time trying to figure out what it says but it really is terrific. The colors and writing interplay and work perfectly.
And your lampshades are wonderful….how long does one take? Maybe you could do a tutorial on how to make a lampshade. I know we would never reach your expertise but to know how it is done, then we would appreciate the cost instead of fainting after seeing the price. I know it takes a lot o expertise.
I was thinking you might use this technique to create a piece of cloth that you could use in your handbags. I think it can be stabilized through layers and stitches.
Regarding the lampshades, it takes about three and a half hours for a drum shade and a little more for a hexagon or similar shade. The sewn shades take at least six to eight hours. It all depends. I would love to do a tutorial sometime. I will think about this after I finish Jude’s class and get some sewing done for the new grandbaby.
I really love the idea of weaving words into a work of art like this. It is like hiding a secret in code inside your fabric art! It makes me want to take a real journal page and do the same thing ~ I might try it with paper, and just see what happens. Could you use this anchored weaving technique for a lampshade? I’m actually picturing just the long loose strands hanging all around a lampshade, rather hippie-style, I would imagine. Well, it might be eye-catching, maybe not practical. I love that lampshade with all the trees!! xo Kari
What a great idea to try this with paper. I think it would be very unique and knowing you, you will take it to the next best level. You and Jude are on the same page with the lampshade. I love the idea!!!
well i think a boro shade would be grand! imagine that?
You and Kari must have been communicating. Yes! I love that idea of a shade with woven fabric. I was going to do another standard one today, but now I am off and running with this other idea. Thank you, Jude, and Kari! I will post my results later in the day.
Your enthusiasm and honesty make your blog very special. I hope that you will not give up on it.
I find that blogging gives me a place to sort out my thoughts and to be succinct. The clarity that I have to put into the blog-writing helps me.
I realize that this comment has little to do with the weaving you have done – more to do with some of your recent musings.
So I will say that I like your woven cloth, and agree with you that Jude is a remarkable person.
I am so pleased and appreciative of your words and thoughts on the subject of blogging, what it means to you and how you view mine as well. After a bit of an absence, I have come to realize that it is just as you said, a way of clarifying thoughts, ideas, and manners of relating to others. I am not one to load up my address book and feel smug. I like the names to connect a little deeper to my life than a space allotted by an “E” or an “F”. I think posting and blogging is definitely a more personal and deeper from of communication. And sometimes that takes time, space, and sometimes solitude. I love the connections and friends I have made. I cherish them, in fact. What I have come to know is that none of this can be hurried, so I need to relax into the pace of this social media and allow it to be. For me this is sometimes a fluctuation between flurry of connection and a distance of restoring energy. What I am finding is that most everyone who I connect with is really feeling the same level of give and take, a gentle see-saw of communication and sharing.
It’s amazing to see how individual the results of Jude’s
class are. The timing wasn’t right for me this class and
I hope she continues to offer her time this way.
There seems to be bright energy coming out of this way
of working/living slow. I think many of us at a certain age
(no longer 30, or even 40) want to ask “if not now, when?”.
I also get grouchy when to slammed with schedules and
have no solitude to sew.
Yes, I think this is really an added bonus to her class, one I had not anticipated with such a diverse group in terms of all these amazing points of view and the overwhelming creativity. Of course even without all that, the class would be well worth all the time spent. Jude is simply amazing in so many ways, and I am finding her method of teaching one of the best I have experienced . I encourage you to try and take one of her classes if you can find the time to do so. You will not be disappointed.
I agree. I think there is a new and exciting energy coming out of all this. I think this age group is hungry for these things and it will be even more important and meaningful as we all age.
No solitude to sew is a recipe for impending disaster in my book!