It’s a scarf! – Weaving at Columbus Cultural Arts Center

Well, I’ve gone and woven me a scarf.  The world’s longest scarf.  Seriously.  With every weaving project, there is extra length/width built in to account for “drawing in” and shrinkage and some allowance for practicing the weave, but when I took the scarf off the loom and put it around my neck, it dragged on the floor on both sides by a foot or more.  Hey, when I weave, I weave.

I knew last week that I had only a yard or so left to weave and it went quickly today and then it was time to weave a few lines of junk and cut the scarf off the loom.  As the teacher has emphasized throughout, it’s always scary when scissors are near your project.  I had cut about 3/4 of the scarf off the loom when the teacher exclaimed, “oh no!”  I about had a heart attack until I realized that comment was directed at someone else.  I can laugh about it now.

Then, on to unwinding the scarf from the apron.  And unwinding.  And unwinding.

One of my classmates wrapped me up, so I headed into the restroom for a quick self-portrait.

The final few steps are choosing/applying a fringe technique and washing, and then *poof* – it’s a scarf!

The weaving blogging isn’t done, however.  Before I left today, I wrapped a warp for my next project, a rag rug for in front of the kitchen door.  Stay tuned.

 

Sarah, Jared and Adalyn – Columbus portrait photographer

One of the enjoyable things about this profession is being able to witness the changes in people’s lives.  Seeing a couple go from engaged to married to parents and being able to document those monumental steps is very satisfying, to say the least.

Such has been the case with Sarah and Jared and now their adorable daughter Adalyn.  And, of course, Sebastian and Jake, their not-camera-shy poochies.

So, a week ago, I headed out to Sarah and Jared’s place to catch up and make pictures of everyone in their element.

Behold the fun:

 

 

The beads that saved weaving – Columbus Cultural Arts Center

I mentioned last week my trouble with keeping straight which direction I was heading on the foot treadles.  Sure, it’s easy when you’re on treadle 1 or treadle 5, because there’s only one direction to go from each of those, but if you’re on treadle 3, it’s anyone’s guess.

Enter the beads.

The teacher attached a couple beads to a string and taped it to the top of my loom so that when I get to either treadle 1 or 5, I can push the beads left or right to designate the change in direction.  So, therefore, if I get to treadle 3 (or 2 or 4) and lose my concentration, all I have to do is look at the beads.  Problem solved!

In other weaving news, according to the teacher, I am about a yard shy of completing my scarf.  And here I thought it would take me in excess of the eight weeks of class time.  Once at the weaving part, it goes pretty quickly.  Plus, it’s become very enjoyable and I think I’m going to miss it, whereas, when I first started, I was doubtful I’d even make it to the third class.  I guess I’ll just have to weave a rug or something!

The completed portion of the scarf wrapped around the "apron".

Toward the bottom left is the bar that holds the very end of the warp. Getting close!

 

 

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