This fall I’ve participated in three workshops, more than I’ve ever done in such a short time! Last week I spent three terrific days with members of my local guild, learning crimped cloth with Dianne Totten!
Weaving crimped cloth uses the techniques of woven shibori, but instead of dyeing the cloth (or in addition to dyeing the cloth!), you tighten the pull threads and steam the woven cloth. Whether these pull threads are in the warp or the weft determines the direction that must also contain some thermoplastic fibers. In this class we used orlon or polyester sewing thread.
Here is Dianne wearing one of her beautiful vests. This is an advancing twill on 16 shafts, woven in a straight draw.
Since I haven’t been home long enough to actually warp a loom, I decided to be a virtual weaver by bringing my computer with Fiberworks software. I’m so glad I participated this way! I got to photograph Dianne’s samples, try on the clothing which mysteriously seems to fit everyone , take copious notes, and watch what the others were weaving. I did a few drawdowns and have made a plan for my own crimped cloth warp. I hope to get going on it the moment I return in mid-November!
This is one of Dianne’s finished pieces called “Garden Party.” The fabric looks like Fortuny himself pleated it!….and the warp is a luscious blend of three different tencel colorways of Just Our Yarn’s “Almaza.” I have my own stash of “Almaza” which has been ‘aging’ (as veteran stash collector and weaver, Kathi called it!).
Here is a detail of the sleeve that shows the weave structure used for the pull threads that created the pleats.
I’m very intrigued with inserting zippers into the front opening!
Several women in my area guild had taken this workshop with Dianne last spring when it was offered to the statewide guild. They arrived at this class with finished cloth and spent days 2 and 3 begining to fit and sew their garments. This added such excitement to atmosphere in class!
Dianne is an excellent teacher! She is ingenious, creative, and completely open to sharing. She spends plenty of time answering questions and listening to ideas from the students. She’s not afraid to admit what she doesn’t know, and she’s not afraid to problem solve on fitting questions. I think the best part of the class was fitting and constructing the garments for the women who had already woven their yardage. There was so much to consider during that stage, and Dianne gave us all plenty of food for thought!
Tomorrow Bob and I are off to Portugal….for a month! Lots of wonderful textile adventures to have while there. I’ll be going to the tapestry workshop in Portalegre, as well as looking at handmade bobbin lace and embroidery in all the towns we visit.
And speaking of bobbin lace, I was very surprised to get a red ribbon (2nd place) for my little lace edging on my linen top at the Big E! Wonders never cease sometimes.
And my wonderful lace mentor, Mary, has really helped me make progress on the never ending handkerchief edging. I really intend to have this finished before the end of the year.
Time to get packed! Hopefully I can post some wonderful textiles from Portugal!
