view from my warping board

the photo is crummy, but it holds so much that the crumminess goes unnoticed. this is the paisley weavers trade union flag housed  at the paisley museum in scotland.

the town of paisley is textile history in itself and its weavers were an interesting lot . i was told at the museum that they were owners of their looms, therefore they were a step up the industrial ladder as they were not slave weavers. yet their union was highly organized, strong and combative.  among its  achievements they were able to pass  a resolution establishing a board of trade which would in turn  fix minimum wages. 

these were the  same weavers who wove the shawl.

their motto was/ is simple and beautiful "weave truth with trust". it is a reminder and a source of inspiration for me. the sub text  is also worth noting: united we stand divided we fall.    

let's not forget we come from here.

neki desu

weaving conductive weather at last

 my weaving cold turkey symptoms are soon to be over. the studio is livable again and while the scarves are batching i am planning some fabric for a top. the colors and yarns are definitely wintry, if i work well i can have it woven and sewn for this winter. 

the yarns are 48/2 merino in charcoal and medium greys as warp and silk as weft. what i have not decided yet is whether i want a wabi  top in a somewhat lightish indigo dyed silk or with more flavor using a madder dyed silk as weft.  yes, i know sample, sample, but i'm not cally booker ;-) one of the sample queens of the weaving world.

this is going to be a top and wearing mileage is expected . the structure has to be subdued  nothing flashy and tiring yet  that does not mean boring. i have been making some dithered drafts following the liftplan connection procedures and i've come up with a couple of interesting ones. decisions,decisions, but first i have to make the  warp chains, rinse the scarves and do the second layer on them.

a big public thank you for the people♥♥♥ who answered my botan bake call.

neki desu

another vintage embrodery chart

i found this chart very interesting. although  i think it's a lace pattern it can be embroidered in a contemporary fashion with pleasing results. it can also be interpreted in many  other ways, so have fun.

i decided  to get  a file service so that  i can also share weaving files in the near future and leave flickr for just storing images.

the chart can be downloaded in small med. and large files  here

please comment  if you like the option of having a separate download place.

neki desu