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SAORI Clothing Design – A vest conversion

Two years ago I made a long, simple vest out of some fabric that I had woven. The vest was 3 strips of fabric sewn together with spaces left for the armholes and slits left in the bottom section. It could be worn two ways and I wrote about it here.

Here it is flat:

construct

And here was the finished piece:

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I liked it a lot … BUT I didn’t wear it.

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One day a couple of weeks ago, I had an idea. Inspired by Lynn’s Squid family, it occurred to me that the fabric could easily be made into a squid tunic / dress. All I had to do was sew up the seams completely, where I had left them open. Fold it, with one corner at the top – sew it up and cut a couple of new armholes.

And, ta da, it became a squid 🙂 that can be worn either way – the cowl at the front and it looks like a dress…

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The cowl at the back, which becomes a collar and then it looks more like a tunic…

Details…

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AND now I’ve been wearing it a LOT!

It’s good to listen to the cloth…

Happy Weaving,
Terri

My website: www.saorisaltspring.com

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PS…I’m posting much more often on my Facebook page and Instagram account, so you can keep up with happenings there. Or you can join my mailing list here.

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Loom Dancer Weaving Odysseys – August 2015

What an amazing two weeks!

It started with Karen coming early to spend some time on retreat and learning more about SAORI weaving and assisting with preparation for the workshops.

The first day is a tour of Salt Spring Island – my studio, Ewetopia Farm, the Gulf Islands Spinning Mill and then Seaside Kitchen for lunch.

Ewetopia Farm

Gulf Islands Spinning Mill

Then it’s off to the wineries, the brewery, Salt Spring Cheese, the Bread Lady, etc. for a real ‘Taste of Salt Spring’.

On Friday, the weaving began … it continued right through until Monday afternoon with a break on Saturday for a visit to the Salt Spring Saturday Market.

The people, the weaving, the enthusiasm and creativity of both groups was outstanding. Definitely one of the highlights of my year!

Both tours were sold out with 10 people in each, plus Cari & Karen, so we had full studios…

The studio at Harbour House

The studio at Mineral Springs Resort

On the final day, Lynn Jones came over to share some of her clothing designs. A fashion show gave new inspiration as we also demoed how to create the origami-style clothes.

 

We looked at patterns from the books. Kenzo-san always says the writing may be Japanese, but the pictures are in English 🙂 So we took some examples and did paper folding to help understand how the cloth is folded, cut and sewn.

 

The finales were spectacular!

August 5- 11 at Harbour House

August 12-18 at Mineral Springs Spa

Thanks to each person who came. Please keep in touch – I’d love to see where SAORI takes you. A special thanks to Cari for her vision and organization. Many of the people have been on other tours with Loom Dancer Weaving Odysseys and I can certainly see why. And thanks again to Karen and Lynn for all of their help at the workshop.

Cari Malver, Loom Dancer Weaving Odysseys

Note: Many photos of the weaving can be found on my Facebook page and Instagram account

Happy Weaving,
Terri

My website: www.saorisaltspring.com

And thanks to Rufus – the Loom Dancer mascot 🙂

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The Squid Family – by Lynn Jones

Lynn has been assisting me for many years with all kinds of SAORI events in and around Victoria. She has also been doing some wonderful SAORI clothing design – I’ll let her share her story and some great photos!

My weaving journey began in 2006. My weaving ‘passion’ began in 2009 when I met Terri at a class at Knotty By Nature and was introduced to SAORI. I immediately embraced the free form style of weaving (I’d already strayed from traditional weaving), but also found that the philosophy truly spoke to me. “We do not weave a piece of cloth, but rather our true selves.” Six years after that first class, I continue to discover more and more of my creative self.

Terrified at first of cutting and sewing my precious cloth, I gradually, one seam at a time, grew to love creating wearable pieces of art. One of the first pieces I made was the ‘squid’ vest. It’s simple to make, drapes well, and like all SAORI patterns, is as unique as each person who weaves and sews the vest.

 

 

The squid vest eventually became a tunic. A cloth I decided to weave using up the end of a black warp with ‘treasures’ from my overflowing basket was used.

 

Then, there were the versions of the tunic. One with recycled t-shirt material because I didn’t have enough yardage. Then another one as a long vest. Again with t-shirt bits for closures.

 

My sewing discoveries have led to jackets over the past year. Victoria, even in the warm months, requires layers. So, the challenge of sleeves! A few jackets later, I remembered my beloved ‘squid’ vest and it’s growing family. I used a pattern that was the ‘squid’ vest with sleeves.

 

 

I’m thrilled with the way it turned out. It flows, it’s cozy, it has recycled silk shirts. It’s finished off with 2 of Bob’s buttons. The very first piece of wet felt I made became it’s pocket! If it’s too warm here in the next 2 months to wear it, I’ll just hang it in my studio and look at it!

I hope your SAORI journey is as exciting and satisfying as mine has been.

Thank you for the opportunity to share my ‘squid’ family here Terri!

Thanks so much Lynn. I love your Squid Family of clothes!

Happy Weaving,
Terri

My website: www.saorisaltspring.com

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Gathering of bobbins

Last night I gathered up my tangle of bobbins and sorted them out in preparation for some workshops. I filled a basket and as I was doing that I was thinking about all the yarns on the bobbins…

 

I was wondering what the most popular colour was, or if there is one.

As I said that out loud, my friend said to me that he thought the most popular colours were the ones that had been on the empty bobbins!! Haha! A new perspective….love it!

Happy Weaving,
Terri

My website: www.saorisaltspring.com

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SAORI Salt Spring at The Workshop @ Pacifica

 

This past weekend I took 6 new looms over to The Workshop @ Pacifica in Brentwood Bay, Victoria.

 

We have set up a wonderful, waterfront workshop space to be a home for these looms.

The Workshop @ Pacifica in Brentwood Bay

 

I will be offering classes and workshops and we are also working on some drop-in times and loom rentals so that people in the Victoria area can continue on their SAORI weaving journey.

 

Paddling, of course, is also an option at special club member rates. Take some time to paddle at lunch or after your weaving or bring a friend who wants to get out on the water while you weave.

You can also enjoy a paddle

 

The Workshop @ Pacifica is focussing on creativity, health and balance. SAORI weaving will be part of this sharing. I’m so excited!

You can follow The Workshop @ Pacifica on Facebook to see photos, new course offerings and more.

Out on the deck enjoying the sun and water

 

Please see my Workshop page for times and classes.

Registration for all workshops at Pacifica are through me, so please call or email me.

Happy Weaving,
Terri

My website: www.saorisaltspring.com

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Artist in Residence (AiR) – Earth Loom

At the beginning of the month, in starting my Artist in Residence, I decided it was time to renew my Earth Loom. On the night of the full moon, I went out and threaded up the loom…

 

Over the next few days, I started to add to it. Yarn, roving and found objects – all things that are biodegradable…

 

The loom is set at the entrance to our driveway turnaround – one part goes off to the cottage, another to the studio…

 

Over the next months, I will continue to add to the weaving and invite others to as well.

Happy Weaving,
Terri

My website: www.saorisaltspring.com

PS – Credit for the idea of my Earth Loom goes to Susan Barrett Merrill. My earth loom was built in 2009 by my cousin and I thank Tony for that! Other posts about it can be found here.

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Weaver to Weaver (W2W15)

Meg in Nelson, who I was able to finally meet in person this past year, hosts all kinds of lovely ideas for connecting and sharing ideas and works and weaving. She had Loomsday (check out all the links on her post) on New Year’s Day – which I interpreted as “What’s on your Loom“, but which I heard later is more of a tradition of honouring our tools – and in this case looms. I’ll remember that for next year, though it was interesting to see what was on everyone’s loom too!

The most recent activity that I participated in was called Weaver to Weaver 2015 (W2W15), where we were to gather some things to send to another person as inspiration, thoughts, ideas, etc. in the form of a small envelope full of goodies.

I received one in return – from Meg!

Wow Meg! So many things, so many possibilities. Perfect for SAORI in which I always say there are ‘endless possibilities’.

 

In her handwritten note, Meg describes some of the items and why she included them…

Then, the other day, I was out in my studio and looking at some fine cotton that I received. It is from surveying instruments. I have many cones of it, it is all white and finer than I would use for weaving. So, I got out my cone winding tool and starting combining many of the threads together – in this photo 4 threads…

 

I am not plying or twisting them, but just putting them together and winding the cone. An idea came to me as I was doing this and it came from one of the items in my W2W package….the map. Surveying cotton and creating a map – that seems to go together. So – I have the beginning of another new idea from just one of the items. It will be interesting to see what other ideas come from this packet of inspiration…papers, chocolate wrappers, paintings, calendar photos, threads of different colours, complex cloth, flowers, geometric designs – endless!

Thanks Meg!!

 

Links to other W2W15 posts here.

Happy Weaving,
Terri

My website: www.saorisaltspring.com

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Year of the Sheep – Creating a SAORI Sheep

Today Tara came to the studio and we planned to make a new warp. As we looked at the calendar she realized that this week is the beginning of the Year of the Sheep, so plans changed as she wanted to make a sheep to celebrate.

So, we found some fabric that she had woven and did just that.

Here is the sheep…both sides…

 

Photos by Alan Bibby.

When we had the SAORI Kai on February 1st, Tara read this:

2015 Year of the SHEEP

“A theme of Sheep year is to express your creative side. Now is the time for art, creativity and cultivation of beauty. If you ever wanted to explore your creative side, this is your year. Do not give up, be pessimistic or become discouraged because Sheep can only move forward! This animal is unable to move backwards or sideways” –http://www.astrology.com

Happy Weaving,
Terri

My website: www.saorisaltspring.com

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SAORI AiR (Artist in Residence)

I’ve been enjoying more time to weave this last week. My living room has become my second studio and been filled with fibre & fun.

So, I made some warps this week which I absolutely love, love, love to do! One was for a commission – “Spring Garden”

Another was for my weaving…

Cotton Warp

When I threaded this one I used an open and random sett and also wove it very loosely…

Loose weaving in progress

Loose weaving off the loom

I’m happy with the result – very lacy. Not sure yet what it will become.

Then I did a second piece, again experimenting with something different…

What’s the deal?

with the teal?

I left big loops in the centre of the weaving, not measuring them, but just pulling them up to the height of the shelf (more or less) each time. After taking it off the loom, I spread it out…

loops in centre

I will be attaching this to a branch of some sort and using it as a wall hanging. The loops will create a nice drapey bit in the centre – I just need to sort them out a wee bit.

There’s more, but that will wait for another post. Also, I will be announcing details of an Artist in Residence opportunity for someone to come and share SAORI weaving with me here at SAORI Salt Spring this fall.

Happy Weaving,
Terri

My website: www.saorisaltspring.com

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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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