Twilight Fuschia Squid

The "Twilight Fuschia" yardage has now found its way into a garment. I've sewn it up into a Saori top/dress that is, amongst Saori weavers, commonly called "The Squid". Usually it's a shorter top, I've lengthened my version.

I really love the draped collar on this design. It's great for showing off interesting fringe treatments like the "finger fringe" I've done here. 

Finger fringe is tedious and time consuming to weave, but the results are, I think, worth the effort.

My Squid is 100% cotton, mostly 2/8, but with some 2/10 and 2/16 included as well. The wandering pattern is "travelling inlay" done in commonly available "kitchen cotton", the kind used to knit dish cloths.

The Squid design is based on a folded layout that makes the front completely on the bias, 

while the back has one side with the warp situated vertically and the other side horizontally.

I'm very happy with the way my "Twilight Fuschia Squid" has turned out and I'll be wearing it often. There will be more variations on this theme in my future, I'm sure.

Naughty Tales!

As we were taking down and packing up the exhibits from the "Fibre Flair" display at the Art Room there was a last minute sale. This lovely young lady was helping with the dismantling of the show and she tried on my "Naughty Tales!" waterfall vest.

It looked fabulous on her and ended up being the item she chose as a birthday gift from her grandmother, who is a member of our guild and one of the members of the art show committee. 

This had been a last minute finish for me, only completed the night before the deadline for jurying of the submitted items. 

I only remembered as it was about to go out the door today that I had never taken the time to photograph it. I like to keep a photographic record of all things I make so I was very happy that she agreed to model it for me.

This is an all cotton vest with travelling inlay and clasped weft patterning. It is sewn in the waterfall style with a hi/lo hemline and the added interest of knotted tails, hence the name, "Naughty Tales".

After a Bath and a Tumble

The fabric I finished weaving a few days ago has had its fringes twisted and has taken a trip through the washer and dryer. The mercerized cotton didn't just handle it well, the fabric actually improved! It now is beautifully soft, has a lovely fluid drape, and a silk-like luster. The photograph really does not do it justice. Indoor lighting on a dull, cloudy day robbed it of its true vibrancy and sheen.

 Now I'm pouring through my resources trying to come up with the perfect pattern to show the fabric off at its best. I'm thinking I might combine elements of two different patterns to create the effect I'm after.

Fresh From the Loom

A picture heavy post of the 6 metre Saori weaving fresh from the loom.

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I'm very pleased with the way it turned out.

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I haven't yet decided exactly what it will become.

Some sort of clothing I think.

Or perhaps accent pieces on several different articles of clothing and accessories?

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This was woven primarily in fine mercerized cotton.

The travelling inlay was done with variegated "dish cloth cotton".

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