There is only week left to see this exhibit! That’s bordering on cruel and unusual treatment for me to write about this so close to the end. Sorry! I loved the exhibit and just didn’t get to my computer in time. Two weavers, Norma Smayda and Jan Doyle, have a beautiful display of work at Hera Gallery in Wakefield, Rhode Island. It’s a women-founded, artist-run, non-profit endeavor that started over 40 years ago.
Norma’s and Jan’s work hang well together, with Jan’s signature large, mantle-type coats in each corner of the room, while Norma’s undulating wall hangings flowed across two long walls. Jan works in a traditional Finnish double weave, and she had some smaller pieces on the walls along with her impressive coats. Here is Jan standing in front of one of her garments.
Up close…look at all that work. I can’t imagine how long it would take to weave this. It is stunning!
Here is another one of Jan’s coats/mantles wtih a self portrait on the wall nearby. Now that’s a double weave masterpiece!
Norma has been working with an ondule reed for several years now, and she has experimented with various weave structures while also writing a book about this.
Norma’s book should be available in November.
So, as you can see this mix of works made a striking exhibit.
Back at home, I’m nearing the end of the lace I’ve been making for little Tori’s christening dress. Bob and I will be visiting our son’s area later this week to participate in some of the events at the Annapolis boat show–in specific Bob will be presenting what he has put in place for the long distance sailors when they arrive in Antigua in November–so, after that, we will be spending most of the weekend with our family.
Today I made a mock up of three different sizes for the bodice so I can try them on Tori to see which size is the closest match for her. Hopefully, there won’t be too much to adjust! I dragged the ironing board over to my lace pillow to see what the lace (still attached to the pillow!) would look like. I am happy!
I tried out the narrow lace around the neck, and the wider lace for the bottom of the bodice and for the hem of the dress.
Here is the petal sleeve that comes with this pattern. I don’t know if Mom likes the sleeve yet. I think it is SO sweet!
My rather obscure title refers to how late I am in writing about the weaving exhibit and how tiny little Tori’s dress will be, whichever size ends up fitting her. It’s a challenge for me to sew on that small a scale! Hence, so late, so little! Off to Banksville Fabric on our way south tomorrow to hopefully find a beautiful white fabric for this dress, since the white linen I bought at Britex did not get chosen.
