Judi Vest

Since I first started teaching weaving on the rigid heddle loom, I've wanted to  create a garment pattern for those new-ish weavers who are tired of weaving scarves and table runners and are limited to a 15-inch rigid heddle loom. The most common size purchased by new weavers.

I decided to offer the pattern as a class to help test the idea with my students. Their vests all turned out so beautiful, don't you think?

And now the pattern is up on my Etsy store. Included with the pattern are worksheets to help each person customize the sizing and calculate exactly how much yarn they will need for the project. There are lots of photos to walk you through each step of the process from warping the loom to taking that first cut into your new fabric and sewing the simple pieces together. I used the lovely Tandem yarn by Tahki Stacy Charles with 3/2 Cotton. Cotton Classic, by Tahki could be substituted for the 3/2 Cotton. Next up will be a version of this vest for multi-harness weavers.

Sisters In Craft: The Natural Dye Project

I was asked to design a garment and towels for a kit for rigid heddle weavers. I would be using the very same packaged yarn as the Friendship Towel Kits, sold through Cotton Clouds. This is where women in Guatemala learned to dye the yarns with natural dyes through the support of Mayan Hands' Natural Dye Project. Right now these kits are only for 4-harness weavers. I immediately loved the idea! Being a part of this amazing project to help support the women in San Rafael, Guatemala, makes me happy and I'm so honored to be a part of it. 

But oh my, I wasn't prepared for the impact this project would have on me. In each step of my process with these hand-dyed yarns of beautiful natural colors, I found myself wondering about each one of these Guatemalan women; who are they, what are their lives like and whether they thought about us, the women who would receive their kits and make something beautiful from their yarn? I felt an amazing kinship and connection. It warmed my heart to think of them as "sisters in craft" so to speak.

Direct warping method for the vest.

So for my first project, the vest, I used my favorite method of warping directly on my 15" Flip loom. I love color and this warp did not disappoint. For weaving, I chose a simple warp and weft pick-up pattern from Jane Patrick's Weaver's Idea Book, for texture. Really, this vest is so simple to make and the construction requires minimal cutting and sewing. You just add some fun buttons and it's ready to go.

See how happy this vest makes me!

And then there were towels to make. In my 20 years of weaving, I've rarely made towels. Those who know me, know I love to make things to wear. And my sister would tell you I'd do anything to get out of the kitchen at dish drying time. So you get the picture, domestic chores are not my favorite things to do. Oh yes, did I say I love clothes? But I dutifully designed and wove the towels.

By the fourth towel, I couldn't help but think how wonderful this fabric would be as a jacket. So, I cut the towels off the loom and hemmed them and then I couldn't help myself. I started pinning the towels together and there it was, a jacket. Because, after all, who wants to be in the kitchen when they can be trying on clothes, right?

Very versatile and one size fits all.

And it has pockets too!

So now, there are three options for rigid heddle weavers; a vest, a set of four towels or a jacket. Not only are you making something wonderful for yourself but also supporting our "sisters in craft" in Guatemala. What could be better than that! Order your Towel Kit,  Jacket Kit or Vest Kit now from Cotton Clouds, who is selling these kits at near-cost so that the profits will go to help these women of San Rafael, Guatemala earn a fair living wage. 

Jacket pattern will be coming soon to my ZoZo FiberArts Etsy Store

Quilters Learn to Weave



Last weekend I had so much fun introducing weaving to a group of fiber crafters who are mostly quilters. They learned how easy it is to set up rigid heddle looms using a variety of Schact's 15 inch Cricket and Flip looms. 



Linda getting started

Carola and Jean at work

With their pre-cut fabric strips they learned to blend their choice of colors together in the weft and each created a unique table runner.



 

Finishing the edges

Their finished runners are all so beautiful!

Carola's Colorful Masterpiece

Terry's Finished Piece

Jean's Multi-Color

Jamie was a Natural

Becky's Mostly Purple

 Rosmary's: Beautiful!

Sign up now for upcoming classes at the Calico Cow Quilt Shop.
August 21 and 22, Thurs 10am-4pm and Friday 1-3pm
OR

September 6 and 7, Sat 10am-4pm and Sun 1-3 pm

Call Carolyn at 575-623-8647 to reserve your spot.

Woven Fabric Strip Table Runner - Final Product



Easy Summer Weaving - Fabric Strip Table Runner

When a friend stopped by my studio with a table runner she had woven from fabric strips, I was reminded of the rag rugs I had woven in the 90’s and was suddenly inspired to teach a summer class of weaving with fabric strips.

What better place to teach this class than at the Calico Cow Quilt Shop here in Roswell where there's plenty of room and we'd be surrounded by all the wonderful colors and patterns in fabric.

After Carolyn, the store owner, gave her approval, I first had to weave some samples. I purchased five different fabrics in my favorite New Mexico colors. At first I was a bit nervous as to how my fabric choices would work together when I started weaving.

Next, using my Olfa rotary cutter and board, I cut the fabric into strips.

 I set up my Schacht Flip Rigid Heddle Loom and began to weave. 

Here's how it turned out.

The next time I stopped by the Calico Cow, Carolyn showed me a pre-cut collection of fabrics (known as a jelly roll) already put together by a designer. It's a no-brainer! Just follow the color sequence already there. As soon as I saw it, I had to have this one by Moda Fabrics called “summer.”

 What an easy and fun project for summertime.

You can join us at Calico Cow Quilt Shop and learn how to weave your own fabric strip table runner on Saturday, July 19. Click HERE for more details on how to register.

To schedule a ZoZo FiberArts weaving class in your town, email us at lois@zozofiberarts.com