The shared tapestry is almost finished!

 I thought I should post today, it being 12/5/21 - not a wonderful date but still ok. Visually. The 12th of November will be better. 

I have been looking for notes I made at a Jane Sassaman workshop I did years ago - I think it was in 2012, that seems to be when the photos and other blog posts are from. I haven't found the drawings I was looking for but I was able to find some stuff due to the wonderfulness of the blog which is searchable. It gave me something to think about and a date to look up old photos. 

I have a glimmering of an idea for a new piece. It won't be big and I may make it into another bag for my tapestry loom. This was inspired by getting my small loom back on the weekend, due to our shared piece finally being finished. 

I looked it up and we started it in early 2019. It has been to several weavers and is now finished - ta da!!

We didn't rush. We could blame it on Covid lockdowns but I doubt that it would have been much faster. 

We had a cutting off ceremony with our small tapestry weaving group at the Handspinners and Weavers Guild rooms last Saturday. Not all the participants could be there but it was lovely to see most of them. And other members of the group who could not participate in the project. 

The weaving was done on a rolling warp, meaning you can move it around the loom to make it longer than the loom. I have yet to get my head around how to do this! Someone else set it up for us. 

And here she is braiding the warps so it won't all fall apart. 

The piece has gone to one of the weavers to be tidied up and made ready for hanging. The person who volunteered says she loves tidying up - not my thing at all but I am grateful that it is hers. 

Then we will have to decide what to do with her - who will have her, who will have room for her, where might we display our wondrous work, etc. (I couldn't work out where to put the question marks so that I didn't have to put full stops, so left them out.) 

I won't post a photo of it finished, in all its glory, till we have decided what to do with it. We may enter it in an exhibition that doesn't allow you to have published images previously. Watch this space (but don't hold your breath). 

Now I have my favourite loom back, and the bag it has been travelling around in. So I will have to put away the one I have been using lately and it needs a bag - in my opinion. Mind you, that doesn't mean I will make one, just that I am thinking about it. 

Travelling tapestry exhibition 2017

The online group challenge has come to Melbourne! We put it up today, at the Handspinners and Weavers gallery, in Carlton North.

Every time I looked at it, I saw a new tapestry to exclaim over.
The interpretations are so varied and there are 53 small tapestries, so there is plenty to look at.

My piece probably would have benefited from a written explanation, but that is not part of this challenge. I noticed that the corner that had curled, due to the exposure to the elements, had a pin in it. But it is not supposed to be pinned. Luckily, I was there for the hanging, so I could make my point, so to speak.

It is not as dark now, I did wash it thoroughly as it was going to travel with other people's precious pieces. But the curled corner is still there.

Our local group also took the opportunity to hang our Leaves challenge. One piece is missing as the maker is overseas at the moment. But she will be back soon and will come in and complete the image.

Starting a new tapestry

Our small tapestry weaving group met today.  We asked for a longer time to use the guild rooms and it was granted.  We now meet between 10.00 and 3.00.  It is a much better amount of time, it means that it is actually worth collecting together all your stuff and taking it there.  Previously, by the time we had caught up with each other and the lovely ladies on duty at the guild, it never seemed worth bothering setting up my loom.  Now there is time for chatting, eating the delicious food people make and bring to share - and weaving!
It is also wonderful to be able to ask advice about what you are doing, how to set about doing a design, how to fix up problems, etc.  I have missed that sharing of ideas and knowledge that you get in classes and groups that physically meet.  I like the ability you have to actually show someone, or see someone demonstrate for you.
There is also enough time to be able to chat to everyone, catch up on everyone's news, rather than have half conversations with people that get interrupted because you are trying to catch up with other people's conversations too.
Having the longer time put pressure on to have some weaving to take.  I have spent several hours this week finalising my design, warping up my loom and hitching on.  It made me keep to the task, not go and play patience games on the computer, as is my wont.  It was a bit like having a deadline, something that can be very helpful, even when it stresses you.

By the way, the guild is offering a certificate course in tapestry weaving.  It will be taught by Cresside Collette and Joy Smith.

Circles and Squares Travelling Tapestry Exhibition

Well, the day finally arrived.  We put up the travelling exhibition  of the AuNZ tapestry group, at the Handspinners and Weavers Guild rooms today.
I was so excited when the box came and I opened it to see the wonderful works.

What a treasure trove.

I can't really express how different they look in real life, compared to photos.  The colours are so clear, the textures enticing and the whole 'reality' of the works is special.
We are really lucky to have the opportunity to see them and have them for a couple of weeks.

It took quite a few hours to spread them out, decide how to group them (they had come in fairly well-organised groups) and then to hang them.  But it was fun.

Decisions, decisions

They look really great with the spotlights on them.
We have already had lots of complimentary comments from passersby as well as ladies from the guild.
So come along to our 'opening' on Saturday morning, or call in to the guild rooms anytime (check opening times here), and see them for yourselves, if you are in the vicinity.

Circles and Squares miniature tapestry challenge exhibition.

I am part of an online group that has a yearly challenge to make a small (up to 20cm x 20cm) woven tapestry.  Some friends and I participated this year and have organised to have the travelling exhibition come to Melbourne.
The Handspinners and Weavers Guild of Victoria has kindly allowed us to put the nearly 50 tapestries up on display.

Tapestry group meets again

Our tapestry group met again yesterday at the Handspinners and Weavers Guild rooms.  Only one person brought her loom but we had plenty of show and tell.  Three of us have pieces that have been accepted into the Petite:Miniature Textiles Exhibition at Wangaratta, later in the year. (All feeling chuffed!)

You can see in the background the lovely exhibition of tapestry rugs by Anne Churches.
There will be a new exhibition put up next week. 

We had a new member come. He is also doing the distance education tapestry course through SWTAFE.  He had samples to show us. It was great to be able to discuss what was happening with all our works, problems that had arisen with the weaving and how to get around them.  Many minds working together - well, a few minds. It is definitely good to have the group discussions, exchange ideas and have a social couple of hours as well.