Summer Sewing

In anticipation of the coming warm weather (it IS coming isn't it??) I revisited one of my favorite Jalie.com patterns, the racerback tank. I've made this pattern many times before, but always in the longer tunic length. This time I'm just doing the tank top length.

I really like the racerback style.

I bought the striped material for this one from the remnant bin at Fabricland for $3. Now I'll probably visit Overseas Fabrics in Abbotsford to buy enough fabric in plain solid colours to make several more.

 

With Jalie.com patterns you get all the sizes in one pattern printed on very durable paper. You do have to trace off your size, but it is SO worth the trouble when your size changes or you want to make a gift for someone else.

One Warp, Three Scarves

I have completely finished all three scarves woven on the Tencel/cotton warp I purchased from a fellow guild member. I wove all three scarves in the same 2x2 twill, but gave each a different weft.

Weaving with the little Dorothy was a delight once I switched out the standard lever system for the much quieter and easier to use wooden levers and Texsolve cord system. 

Another New-to-Me Loom

 Yet another loom has followed me home.

This time it's a 4 shaft Carolyn by Woolhouse Tools. I once had an 8-shaft version of this model but sold it. I loved that loom, but 8 shafts were a bit much for my limited short term memory to cope with and the loom wasn't getting much use. I had also been having a real struggle warping that loom --- any loom for that matter. I had not yet committed the process to memory and had to follow along, step by step with a book.

Since selling the 8-shaft Carolyn I have woven a lot on the 2-shaft Saori loom that replaced it, gradually becoming more familiar and comfortable with the whole process of warping a loom. I have also acquired several Saori tools that make warping a loom much easier and more ergonomic as was proven while I warped the *other* new loom, the Leclerc Dorothy I introduced in an earlier post. 

In celebration of this most recent addition I treated it to a moisturizing rub down with Howard's Feed and Wax. 

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A New (To Me) Loom

Not too long ago I was fortunate enough to pick up a used Leclerc Dorothy loom for a good price. Unfortunately It was missing its reed, which is a costly and absolutely necessary piece. I was lucky that the local guild had a used reed on hand that they were willing to sell to me at a fraction of its cost if purchased new.

My next improvement to the loom was to change out the notoriously noisy side lever system of the Dorothy to a wooden lever system with texsolve cords. The loom is not just way quieter, it is also much easier and less fatiguing to use.

Then, at the next guild meeting, Betty, a fellow guild member, had a lovely 6 yard warp for sale. I had been looking for an appropriate project for the new little loom so I snapped it up. This is the first of 3 scarves that can be woven on the warp. Thanks Betty!