Thursday, November 15, 2012

The advantages of a small tapestry

I was able to take my small, portable loom outside recently, to enjoy the beautiful spring weather.  I am still struggling away with the experimental piece that I am not sure will work.
Can you see the bit on the right that looks like city buildings with a path leading up to them?
It is getting closer to being finished.  If I don't like the way I intend putting it together, I suppose I can go back to something like this flat look and mount it more traditionally.

As I have posted recently, we have mulberries in the front yard and I was a bit wary about sitting out the back in case passing birds did colourful droppings. But it was such a lovely day, it seemed a shame to be sitting inside, so I decided to risk it.

This loom is small (most of my designs are based on A4 paper that fits across the loom - approx 30cm) and I have a little table that I can attach it to.  It, too, is portable.  It was a tv dinner table, I think.  I can take it apart and put it in the car quite easily.  That is how I get it to Cozmo's house.  As you can see, it keeps all the wool cones, bobbins, etc together quite nicely too.  It keeps me (relatively) tidy.

5 comments:

Michelle said...

Wow, it's looking great Mary! I love seeing progress pics ;)

parlance said...

I do like it the way it is, but it will be interesting to see how you put it together.

Mary said...

Thanks Michelle and parlance. I am not sure how it will go once I take if off the loom, all those slits could collapse. I'll have to wait and see.

Anonymous said...

I found when I wove a tapestry with long slits (years ago) which I wanted to leave open to the end, that the strips twisted. I ended up sewing fishing sinkers at the back towards the end and connecting the strips just with a sewing cotton at the fringe line, which stopped that problem. If you just leave the slits open but connected to top and bottom, they should stay flat, - and the slits will be more noticeable. Your tapestry looks very interesting I love the colours and shapes. A nice contrast to the slits! and how great to be able to weave outside! -you have a nifty little loom! Looking forward to see how you go!

Mary said...

Thanks Vera, I had noticed that the left hand side of the top slits are tending to stick out further than the right hand sides - unless I push them flat and then they can show again if it all moves. I will have to think about your tips - thanks again.
I am thinking of trying to have a 3D tapestry with the slits joining each other from opposite sides - all twisted up, with both sides of the tapestry visible (which will take a lot of sewing in of ends) but will wait till I meet with my group to see what advice our curator gives - it is hopefully going to go in our exhibition that is in December.