Weaving A Life

Our weaving group is fortunate--we have many talented sharing weavers in our area. Scharine is such a person. She is always willing to share her heritage and did so at one of our recent gatherings.

If you have March-April issue of Handwoven, you can read all about Scharine and her journey to weaver her life.

She shares the lessons learned from her grandmother, who lived and wove in -Okinawa.

Scharine weaves her soul into her fabric.

bashofu, a banana fiber is spun to make light, stiff cloth that is perfect for wearing in a hot climate.

The leaves are split into strips and then each piece is separated into thin slivers of thread, which are then tied and spun together

This spinning process is very time consuming but worthy of the fabric woven

a weaving shuttle

Silk and hemp fabric with natural dyes for color

Scharine models a traditional kimono

It boggles the mind to think of the processes used to achieve such lively colors and perfect patterns

Silk woven sash

natural dyes bring out the ikat pattern in this garment

Many tiny knots were tied to achieve this delicate pattern

spinning wheel made personally for Scharine from bamboo

Stencil!  Yes, a stencil cut to be used as a resist

This is sample of process of stencil that is used to create the pattern

Scharine's stencil cut and dyed in John Marshall workshop.  Yes, our group is very fortunate to have talented weavers in our midst--very sharing weavers! 

WOW!!

WOW! Way Out West Weavers are one batch of HOT weavers!  They are on fire with their weaving skills and abilities. This group combines beginners (less than one year) and experienced (more than 10 years).  We are all learning from each other.  At our April meeting, we had some great show and share--these gals never disappoint...........

These towels are woven by Lisa--fairly new weaver, who is mastering the art of good weaving techniques.  The black/white are off the same warp.  She was ambitious to weave some napkins that are shown in the backgroun.

Kyla is our art teacher and she loves strong colors.  The day was cool so she was wearing her handspun knit shawl (pattern from Stephen West)

Looking good on Kyla!

She had also woven this yardage to make a lunch bag--what a nice way to carry your lunch to work!

Karen O, a new weaver, had woven this wool throw--it's been washed and fulled--great work Karen!

And then there is our overachiever (as we call her) Karen I showing off her block weave project--a carry all bag.

She even wove the bands for the handles!

Recently Karen had taken a tapestry workshop with Joanne Hall and had this small tapestry show off

This tapestry and the one above was woven on the reverse side--we all signed!  what a way to weave!

Karen likes boundweave so wove this lovely table runner--reverse is white side.

And we continue on with her bath towel, another block weave project--

Another tapestry to show off from the hands of Karen I

 

How about a lovely woven towel for the kitchen, complete with handwoven tab for hanging--perfect!

Marian is investigating crackle weave and this was her table mat, woven Italian style

Close-up--she's not convinced she likes crackle weave yet.

And here is her lovely handtowel, tabby woven, with a delightful wooden hanger that her husband makes--great gifts. 
WOW group gathering is always a delight!  Who is going to bring out another exciting handwoven item for us to marvel over? 

Let's Celebrate!!

Yes, we are celebrating! Fifty years (50) years! The Golden Wedding Anniversary! The whole family took a trip to Las Vegas to mark our 50th with a renewal of wedding vows at Graceland Chapel with the one and only ELVIS!!

We arrived in the new addition to the airport--terminal 3. Arriving is always impressive.

Our base was Mirage Hotel and Casino

Our view from the room (through gold tinted windows) was part of the 'strip'.

There are many sites and sounds to Vegas besides gambling--Caesar's Palace hosts the most amazing statues and fountains--it's like walking on the streets in Italy.

My eyes take in the marvelous glass work by Dale Chihuly

The ceiling in the lobby of Bellagio Hotel and Casino is worth viewing a number of times!

Just fabulous colors and shapes!  Some say the fountains are worth seeing too, but in my book--it's this glass!

And how about a conservatory loaded with spring flowers!??  Awesome!!

Going to Vegas is like traveling the world around--New York, Italy, Paris, New Orleans--all along one strip!  We had a ball!  and the renewal vows were a hoot!  Elvis was fabulous!!

Binky Patrol Quilt Tops

What fun it has been to make these quilt tops for Binky Patrol !!!

The expatchers has several bags of prepared blocks--half-quarter blocks; four patches, 6" and 4" squares, nine patches, etc.  For this top, I took a panel and placed these blocks around the outside to frame the panel.

This is a nine patch block but it's called disappearing nine patch--easy to do but lots of neat blocks.

Intermingle nine patch with three patch and you get this look

Cleaning out the stash box, we found these embroidered panels so nothing else to do but put them together.

Another easy top from four patch block--cut 1.5" on each side of the middle and rearrange--great fun!

Here I used  all 6" precut blocks to frame--

Here was another stash project--I found these strips of fabrics in the bin and made this colorful top

One big star in the middle--all made from layer cakes! 

Colorful and easy!  These were a labor of love!  All are in the hands of the quilter and soon we'll be doing the hand stitching on the bindings!

Binky Patrol