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Ruffle Vest

When I was in Japan last May I had a chance to try Kenzo Jo’s special stretchy yarn. I had used stretchy yarn in the weft before, but never in the warp. This yarn is stretched and starched so that you can wind it into a warp like any other fibre. Once you wash the piece, the starch comes out and the yarn contracts making for a fabulous effect.

In this piece, I put this yarn every 5 (or so) threads just in the centre section.

 

Here is the result before washing…

 

and after…

 

 

So exciting to see the changes!

Then, it stayed in my studio until a few days before the SAORI Kai this past weekend. I needed something new to wear and so it was time for this piece to become a garment. I wanted to feature the ruffles and so I made it into a vest, using the ruffles as a collar, the back yoke and as a feature at the bottom of the back of the vest.

 

 

This was so simple to make as it is just two pieces. One piece is the entire front – from the bottom at one side, up and around the back becoming the collar and yoke, and then back down the other side. The back is a piece cut off and sewn to the yoke and the two sides. I sewed this all by hand. After I made it, I realized that it is similar in design to the vest in the Beginner’s Clothing Design book called the Rocket Vest (design #9).

 

 

I added a few of “Bob’s Buttons” to finish it off (the morning of the kai!)…

 

The vest is very lightweight, but warm as all the fibre is a very soft wool from SAORI Japan.

Happy Weaving,
Terri

My website: www.saorisaltspring.com

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Artist in Residence Month

February this year is an Artist in Residence month for me. The last time I did this was May 2013 – you can read about my adventures from that year here. I felt it was time to do it again. For those that didn’t read my blog then, it was a time for me to focus on my weaving as an Artist in Residence – in my own residence and studio.

So this year’s residence started with a SAORI Kai over in Victoria at Knotty by Nature. What a great way to start out – sharing our SAORI stories and inspiration. Some new and visiting people were there which added to the Kai. Thanks to all who came!!

 

Lynn showing the back of her vest and it's construction

Lynn showing the back of her vest and it’s construction

As I start on this next Artist in Residence (AiR), I’ve been wondering what my focus will be.

The first day at home, I was unloading my van and organizing the studio after taking 6 looms and material, etc. over to Victoria. As I was doing that I was thinking about my AiR and also thinking back to Loomsday and what warps were still on my looms. One was my ‘Christmas warp’…

 

This was a warp I put on before Christmas thinking that someone might like to weave something in Christmas colours – or that I might. One person did a weaving, but then there was still lots of warp left. I wondered – how can I weave this so that it doesn’t look like ‘Christmas’?

I looked at my bobbin tray – full of partial bobbins from my recent workshops…

 

…and wondered what colours & textures would change the look of the warp? And so I started to weave…

 

 

We’ll see where this goes.

It’s interesting that I have this feeling as I start out that I have to clear all my previous warps before I start on some new things. Making space perhaps for new ideas. I also wound some new warps yesterday – so I’ll just let this process unfold and see if it becomes clear.

During this month I have a workshop in White Rock and another in Victoria at Pacifica Paddle in Brentwood Bay – great chances to share SAORI weaving. I also have people coming to the studio to learn, to share. This is what I love – sharing SAORI!

Other thoughts for the month are to try some new fibres in the studio:

Some great recycled linens from Give a Darn Yarn that arrived last week…

 

Some beautiful rovings from Ashford and of course some of the SAORI Yarn Sets that came just before Christmas.

And some new yarns that I’m hoping arrive soon from New Zealand from Black Hills Yarn which I will be carrying in my shop!

Fun!

I’ll keep posting my explorations….

Happy Weaving,
Terri

My website: www.saorisaltspring.com

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A Lime / Lyme Scarf

As some of you know I have been dealing with Lyme Disease for the past 6 years. My husband, Alan, is working on a documentary film about it (watch for more information and an Indiegogo campaign later this spring to help finish the film). Recently, we were asked to participate in a Lyme Awareness event through the Victoria Support Group. So, I decided it was time to weave a Lime / Lyme Scarf to wear to the event!

I gathered up all my Lime Green (and related) colours into a basket…

Warped my new little Piccolo loom…and started weaving…

 

I have one scarf done and still have enough on the loom to weave another…

 

 

Now I’m thinking I may do a lot of Lime / Lyme weaving and get it out of my system. Weave my way to health! This was a great excuse reason to buy some more lime green yarn! Bamboo and silk and a bit of roving 🙂

Happy Weaving,
Terri

My website: www.saorisaltspring.com

saori_salt_spring_logo_100

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Loomsday – part two

After posting images of my looms on Loomsday (New Year’s Day) in response to Meg’s ‘challenge’ (be sure to check out all the links in her post), I received responses and images of other people’s works and looms and wanted to share them.

I’m always inspired to see what everyone is up to!

Judi sent me the following:

I started 2015 with an empty loom. That’s not a bad thing, as it means I am partway through a weaving project for my son and his fiancée. I offered to do a table runner for the reception (thanks for the idea, Terri!) and the whole thing kind of snowballed. I have two runners off the loom but not finished- I am waiting for some special beads to come in the mail. This was the end of the first warp:

 

I am not sure what this cloth will become, but it’s the nicest leftovers I’ve ever made.

The rest of the runners ( and I think the goal is another 4) are hidden in this picture:

 

I am so happy to be able to contribute something original to the party- my daughter-in-law-to-be is an artist and appreciates what I do, so she gave me carte blanche in the design. The only guideline was colour- yellow and grey. (That allowed for gold and silver for bling!)

So, my loom may be empty, but it is ready to go as soon as I am.

Happy New Year!

Lynn sent me this:

Two naked looms, two new projects for 2015. A pre-wound persimmon warp just getting threaded. It will be a challenge to see what colours I’ll use as the warp. I love a challenge!!! This is such a lovely and unusual colour.

 

 

And on the ‘baby’ Piccolo, some very fine wools in ‘Autumn’ colours. At least fine threads to start…..I have a feeling this will turn into lots of texture, all wool and …… who knows?

 

This is what Suzy was up to:

photo credit: suzy

And here is her blog post about it.

Susan doing some SAORI weaving:

She says: Not sure what it will be, perhaps a skirt…

 

And having ‘fun with dollar store potholder looms’

 

Laura was working on weaving a vest for her dog:

Meadow’s vest to be…

 

And then Tanya and Dawn were weaving together and here’s what was on their looms:

Tanya received the blue/green sea colour cotton for Christmas and she was weaving “Sea Glass”…

 

Dawn also had blues, greens, teals, sari silk…

 

Well, that’s quite a round up. Thanks for sending in your photos!

Happy New Year and Happy Weaving!!
Terri

My website: www.saorisaltspring.com

 

Loomsday – A Day in the Life of Looms 2015

Happy New Year – 2015 – Year of the Sheep!

Meg (in Nelson, New Zealand) has written a blog post on Unravelling asking people to post photos of their looms on New Year’s Day. I thought it would be fun to do and so here are my looms…

In the house I have one of my SAORI looms. I like to have a loom in the house in the winter as the days are short and it’s nice to be in the warm house in the evening rather than wandering out to the studio. It also means I can add a few rows to the weaving anytime I walk by. On this loom is one of the SAORI pre-wound warps. I had started this one a while ago and made some tea towels as a housewarming gift, then the inside set was removed for about 3 months – it is back on now and I’ve started weaving again, not sure where this is going yet.

 

 

 

One of the challenges of weaving in the house is that all my yarns are in the studio. I’ve just gone out to gather more yarns!!

Then, in the studio, I have 4 looms set up.

One is a loom that Tara is working on, making a baby blanket. The warp is so interesting – her amazing colour choices…

 

and it is weaving up beautifully…

 

Another loom still has a Christmas themed warp on it. Not sure what I’ll do with this – whether I’ll weave it now as a Christmas scarf or fabric to be saved for next year, or take the inside set off and set it aside until next year (that doesn’t really seem practical) or weave it with something completely different to see what it might look like with other colours…

 

 

A third studio loom has the end of a black pre-wound warp. It was down to the taped on part. I think it has just enough to make a no-sew hat, so I’m weaving that up in wool…

 

And the fourth is all set for someone to come and try it out.

Of course I have many other inside sets not on the looms – some with black warps for workshops, some with other projects, etc.

So many possibilities.

So, thank you Meg for this thought and challenge.

Now, I’d like to ask anyone reading this to take a picture of whatever is on their loom(s) – or their empty loom(s) even – and send me a photo (or photos) and a sentence or paragraph telling me about your current work on the loom or planned. I will then write a new blog post with everything that people have sent to me so that we can inspire each other. Of course you can also contribute to Meg’s Day in the Life of Looms.

Happy New Year and Happy Weaving!!
Terri

Next workshop in Victoria at Knotty by Nature – Saturday, January 31. Please contact Knotty to register – 3 hours – $75.

Next SAORI Kai in Victoria at Knotty by Nature – Sunday, February 1st 1:00-3:00 pm. All welcome ($5)

My website: www.saorisaltspring.com

 

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And now for something completely different …

So, after returning from a New Zealand springtime and the richness of the blues and greens and so inspired by so many beautiful places, I went to my studio to weave. There on the loom was an autumn coloured warp that I had made before I left.

 

Surprisingly, it called to me and I ended up weaving in totally different colours for me…

 

 

I thought I’d make a mobius scarf – and so wove the ends in to make the loop…

 

And finished weaving (still need to finish the ends and wash it)…

 

Also, yesterday – 3 huge boxes arrived from Japan with my long-awaited yarn sets. I’m working on uploading them into my Etsy shop. Beautiful colours – here is the blue-green one 🙂

 

And today, Christmas Eve, we went for a walk in the woods – it was a warm, sunny day.

 

Happy Weaving & Happy Holidays to all,
Terri

My website: www.saorisaltspring.com

More photos on Instagram

 

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Weaving Connections

As many of you know already I had an extended trip to New Zealand recently. It was wonderful to reconnect with family and friends there and also to enjoy some springtime weather while winter was approaching on Salt Spring Island.

 

Another thing that I was able to do while I was in New Zealand was to connect with a few weavers and other textile people.

We ended up unexpectedly going through Ashburton – the home of Ashford – spinning wheels, fibres, rigid heddle looms and more. We were lucky enough to get a personal tour of the factory by Richard Ashford himself! There was also a fibre retreat happening there and I got to stop in and see what they were up to. A great stop…and of course I bought some yarn.

 

I was also introduced here to Black Hills Fibre – beautiful naturally coloured fibres!

Next, we went through Hokitika, home to a Sock Knitting Machine museum and a small mill. We had a bit of a look there, bought some yarn 🙂

We were driving in the Nelson area and came across a weaver’s shop and stopped in for a look. A great collaboration between a woodworker and weaver – Joint Works Studio – in Ruby Bay. I bought a little loom, and a beautiful scarf woven by the late Anne Field (the weaver’s mother!).

 

 

 

Next stop, Nelson – to visit Meg in Nelson – writer of the blog Unravelling! What a treat to meet her – we had a look at her studio and looms, talked about the SAORI philosophy (she had been to a workshop with Kaz in Australia), and had so many laughs 🙂 Thanks Meg – so great to meet you!!

 

We also stopped by WOW – The World of Wearable Art Museum – didn’t have a chance to go through it, but had a look at the shop and the catalogue. Wow indeed, some crazy wearable art!

 

Then on the North Island we visited with Louise Cook – who has just opened the first SAORI studio in New Zealand – WeaveYourself. Back in 2011, I taught a 2-day SAORI workshop at Majacraft (thanks to Glynis & Owen!). Louise was in the class and bought the SAORI loom that I had shipped there for the workshop. After weaving SAORI style for some time, Louise went to Japan to learn more. She has now opened her studio. Welcome to the SAORI Global network Louise!

 

Up on the Coromandel Peninsula we drove past a sign that said “Textiles”. Of course we had to turn around and go back to check out the shop. This shop was the home of Raewyn Penrose – a felter. We talked about felting and weaving and our shared love of textiles and we exchanged cards. By the time I got to my next stop I had an email from Raewyn and her husband Ian. It turns out that they have been talking with Fiona Duthie from Salt Spring about workshops in New Zealand. Small world.

On returning home, I learned about another SAORI connection that I wanted to share with you. Loop of the Loom in New York has partnered with SAORI Hiroba (a non-profit arm of SAORI in Japan that works a lot with people with disabilities) to launch a Kickstarter campaign. They plan to pair a weaver from Japan with a New York designer to create some unique one-of-a-kind clothing designs. They are still working to reach their goal – I’ve pledged to help – any small amount adds up quickly!

 

I love all these weaving and fibre connections!

And now, back to my home studio, inspired…

Happy Weaving,
Terri

My website: www.saorisaltspring.com

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Tuesdays with Tara

I wanted to share some of Tara’s weaving with you. Tara has been weaving at SAORI Salt Spring and at home for 4+ years. She takes to heart Misao-sensei’s message of “Weave Every Day”.

We work together at the studio to make warps to keep her weaving – she chooses the most amazing colours…

 

 

And the warps are always so lovely and inspiring…

 

And another …

 

She also uses some of the SAORI pre-wound warps and does beautiful weaving with them too. Here are her most recent pillows made with the blue-speckled warp…

 

A couple more things that she’s woven recently…two shawls…

 

And a belt…

 

And many other things including clothing. You can see more of her work in my previous posts here.

She has some of her SAORI weaving for sale at:

Knotty by Nature in Victoria
Bespoke in Victoria
Bark, Bath & Beyond in Victoria (where she has handwoven dog scarves)
Embellish in Duncan

Happy Weaving,
Terri

My website: www.saorisaltspring.com

On instagram
On facebook

 

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SAORI in September

Fall has arrived, cooler weather and a bit of rain – but still beautiful days. The studio is busy with many weavers and a lot of inspiration.

Here is Jane who came to weave a scarf. She brought along some yarns she had chosen and started weaving – she was surprised when she stopped that it was much longer than she anticipated. Now she’s thinking it may become a vest – though it makes a pretty fantastic loooong scarf too!

 

Judy also came to the studio and did some weaving with some felt pieces from her nuno felting (judithdios.com – worth checking out!) along with some wonderful dyed silk hankies that are so soft and combined this all with some yarn from the studio and other bits and pieces – great colours and texture.

 

Roiane tried out SAORI for the first time and used some great bright colours, tried a bit of clasped weft and may come back to weave some more tomorrow!

 

Heidi is weaving a wonderful tapestry that started out with some waves…

 

…trees have now sprung up in the tapestry and it continues. It has been great to watch this develop!

More weavers coming tomorrow and then on Friday and Saturday too. Watch for more photos.

Happy Weaving,
Terri

My website: www.saorisaltspring.com

 

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Time flies!

It was in 2012 that I started to weave some fabric for our dining room chairs (I didn’t know how long it had been so I looked up my post here!). I used cottolin – a blend of cotton and linen for the weaving and colours that are in our living/dining room.

My original thought was to recover the chairs myself – but they needed rewebbing, new padding and the New Zealand wood was so hard that it was difficult to get the staples out and I would need special tools to get new staples back in.

So the fabric sat and waited….and waited…

Finally – just this past week – I took the chairs and fabric in to Kim at Blue Velvet Upholstery. She loved the fabric and the chairs and was happy to work with it and select the sections that would go on each chair.

 

I just picked them up and I love them!!

 

Finally! And Marzy approves too 🙂

 

Happy Weaving,
Terri

My website: www.saorisaltspring.com

 

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