New Memories Blankets

Some of the latest Memories Blankets have received the hemming, washing and labeling treatment, and are ready for showing. Here are three:

This twill pattern has lots of variation and it's stunning in these colours ...

All Memories Blankets are 100% cotton and can be machine washed and dried. These ones are each about 110 cm by 150 cm in size. They are super for babies, children or anyone older, and I know they last a long time.

Now I'm onto weaving more subdued towels in this twill and they look pretty nice on the loom.

Memories Blankets in a New Twill

With an unexpected time slot and some perfect colours on hand, I decided to slip in another set of cotton Memories Blankets that would suit a baby or anyone older. I decided to try a new twill pattern that is easy to thread because it's a 24-thread pattern and I'm weaving 24 threads per inch. That works out to one pattern repeat every inch - nice and simple, with a built-in check after every section.

I am amazed at how stunning this is!

I've been playing around with the pattern drawdown in my reference book and using my own treadling to make the colour shifts more precise. This is something I want to examine more often in future weaving projects - looking very closely at the information I have and improving on it for my purposes.

These Memories Blankets will look even better when hemmed and washed, and I want to use this twill again for towels and blankets.

Another 27 Towels

I know I've had a long warp of towels produce the rather odd number of 27 before - just did it again. Here is the end of the project with almost all 27 wound onto the front beam; I think all weavers must enjoy the feeling of accomplishment.

This project began with a request to produce some teatowels to suit a kitchen with a black tile floor, birch cabinets, and a countertop in black and brown granite. I decided to match the cabinets and countertop and then add some black for a bit of an executive look. Here are some samples:

Then I had some fun with other colours and designs. Towards the end of a long warp I tend to get pretty keen to finish up, but then the last few towels are often my best ... and then I wish I had just a metre or two more to play with.

3rd Open House in Ottawa

My sister hosted her third open house last Saturday and it went very well.

Many blankets and towels went to new homes. I really appreciate all her help and support, as well as the business for Cariboo Handwoven.

Here are some of the blankets showcased for sale:

Postcards, Version 2.0

Today I picked up a bulging box of new Cariboo Handwoven postcards. They were designed and produced by Papyrus Printing in Williams Lake from favourite images I filed over the last few months. My second set of postcards has the same feel to it as my first postcards, and I wanted the photos to wrap around my banner. I now have a very good supply of postcards for mailing, handing out and including with new products.

On the reverse side are the QR code for smartphones to access my website, along with some text. Let me know if you'd like some of these - I'd be happy to mail you a few, or more.

Finished Tablecloths

The four cotton tablecloths turned out really well and one is already sold. Their width is 137 cm (54") and the lengths vary a little but most are at least 170 cm (67"). My friend chose this one - it has broad stripes of olive green and that verdant green I really like, separated by narrow stripes of light khaki:

Of course, the tablecloths also make great lightweight blankets (all are hemmed). These three are being rushed to Ottawa for the open house next Saturday.

The remainder on this warp will be fringed later for blankets. This was a very enjoyable project and I liked working with my friend and his colour ideas. I also liked hearing what a difficult time he had picking out only one!

Fibres West - Q'Ente Booth

Q'Ente had a very interesting booth at Fibres West last weekend.  Q'Ente calls itself a textile revitalization society, meaning that Q'Ente works to revitalize the culture and economy of the Sacred Valley of Peru through its support of local weavers. I met Catherine and Gail, and had good chats with each.

There were Peruvian textiles for sale at their booth, all of which are absolutely beautiful - bags, table runners, ponchos and more.

Many of my friends have either traveled to the Sacred Valley or volunteered there to improve the lives of indigenous peoples. The local textiles are distinctive and exquisite, and all the more special because the intricate patterns are woven without harnesses. I'm fortunate to have some Sacred Valley textiles in my own home and studio.