Sunday, March 27, 2011

In Upstate New York in May: Come See Our Exhibit


My guild, the Weavers' Guild of Rochester, celebrates its 65th anniversary in May -- and to honor this event, we're exhibiting the wonderful work of our 140-plus members. Take note: It's free and open to the public. The dates are April 28 through May 19, from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. weekdays at the Arts & Cultural Council for Greater Rochester, 277 North Goodman Street in the city's Neighborhood of the Arts.

We'll present awards for Best of Show (the Handweavers' Guild of America award), best use of multi-harness weaving (from the Complex Weavers) and other categories, including People's Choice. All types of fiber art are included, and our artists come from anywhere from Albany to Buffalo.

The exhibit will be juried by master weaver Sarah Saulson, who teaches in the textiles department of Syracuse University. (The above photo features her handwoven piece, "Moon Phase Cloth.") And, following the exhibit, our Guild will publish a book of 30 or so pieces from the show, complete with color photos and drawdowns!

For more on Sarah Saulson's work, click here.
For more on the Weavers' Guild of Rochester and its activities, click here.

Friday, March 25, 2011

'Leaves of Grass' Tunic: Ode to Walt Whitman



A child said What is the grass? fetching it to me with full hands;
How could I answer the child? I do not know what it is any more
         than he.


I guess it must be the flag of my disposition, out of hopeful green
         stuff woven.


Walt Whitman, Song of Myself

Last November and then again in February I posted photos and notes about spinning, warping, and weaving the fabric for this top, which I call "Leaves of Grass." It's made of single-ply yarns in S & Z twist, which gives it a seersucker-like texture. The yarns are merino and a silk-merino blend, dyed in various shades of green. My ode to Walt Whitman -- and a tribute to spring, which will, sooner or later, show up.

Detail of fringe, which seems to ply itself

Side view

Back, just slightly longer than the front


Sunday, March 20, 2011

Triptych: Bruno Greets Spring







Our boxer, Bruno, guards us against house finches and other dangerous wildlife, watching through the window he broke in our side door.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Just in time for spring....


I finished this new beret! (Note: This is said very tongue-in-cheek. I wish I'd finished it in September.)

It's made with Noro self-striping yarn, in blue, turquoise, purple, rust, and green. I designed it by knitting 9 mitered squares and 4 "half squares" which I then stitched together, starting with one square at the top. When it was finished, I felted it by hand in hot water and Ivory dishwashing liquid.


This is for sale in my Etsy shop, just in time for spring. Sigh.

I also posted a second item, another variation on the shibori-dyed Asian tunic I blogged about a couple of months ago. This one is in peacock colors, again using a silk/linen blend. The back is pure Dupioni silk, in brilliant peacock blue. The Dorset buttons are handmade with rayon novelty yarn and the loops are made using a Japanese braiding technique known as "kumihimo."




This, too, is for sale in my Etsy shop. But this piece can be worn year-round!

We Are Experiencing Technical Difficulties. Please Stand By.*

*Warning: This post is just partly about fiber. Remember those test patterns on your old black and white TV? They were typically accompanied...