and I noted some technical issues with using the s hooks. They worked a treat with keeping an even warp and tension.
However, as you see, when using this fine floss, the nearest you can weave to the hooks still leaves loops at the end.
So I had to try weaving through them after the tapestry was off the loom. I turned the loom so that the working area was flat on the worktop, the support hanging down in front of me. This was great for bringing the work near enough for close stitching. Another benefit of building your own tools.
There's another way to go, using paperclips instead of s hooks, so for fine thread, maybe that's next time's idea. You need to weave tight up to the warp ends for four selvedge work.
Meanwhile, I'm happy with the improvement over my previous work.
And here comes the new loom. Tensioning device in place. Ready for action. This is the same loom, but I replaced the sides as you see.
The short pieces at the top of the sides had rounded feet on them from a previous incarnation, which were firmly in place. So I wielded a giant pipe wrench and got them off. Slip joint pliers would have done it, but they were two floors down. You go to work with the tools at hand.
I love the loom, and the tapestry is just charming. It's amazing how many uses for pvc pipe there are, isn't it. I saw an entire craft booth and display made totally out of pvc pipe, and Ive used it suspend porch curtains in the summer.
ReplyDeleteI can hardly wait for what you do next.
The thing that pleases my frugal soul is being able to reconfigure the same old pipe and connectors to make whatever I need right now. This was a single half inch pipe and has been: a niddynoddy, an embroidery frame, a couple of looms, a curtain rod, and now a tensioned loom. I think I got my money's worth.
DeleteTry this, too.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HooIPoCqFTw&t=2649s
Rebecca does really good tutorials and this one is on 4 selvedge tapestries.
I just found your WordPress blog, and will put a link on my home screen. It's lovely, and I don't want to miss out on it.
DeleteLink, after transferring to my laptop to cut and paste, link dead, eventually took me to a hiphop commercial! I am guessing you were referencing rebecca mezoff?
DeleteHiphop... bizarre. The link still works for me. But yes, Rebecca Mezoff. Good tutorials. I have neglected my blog lately. Life gets in the way. Facebook has been faster.
DeleteI've watched a lot of her tutorials, also Sarah swett and Archie Brennan. Such a lot to learn and they're so generous with their expertise.
ReplyDeleteS hooks will work much better with yarn, because the proportions will be different. But there's always figuring out a removable jig. Next adventure!
Lovely tapestry! That loom is also quite cool. I need to get back into weaving at a micro level :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you came in, since most of the floss in the tapestry came from you. So you see your results!
DeleteI'm astounded that you can create a scene using woven embroidery floss - pretty amazing. Great fun to watch your experiments with PVC pipe too!
ReplyDeleteThis sort of scene happens when I stop trying to make a preconceived image. It goes better for me.
ReplyDeleteAbout the pipe: there are few life situations which can't be tackled with PVC pipe, aspirin, or pachysandra! Or possibly all three.