Thursday, December 27, 2007

First Advancing Twill Samples

Advancing twill sampler on the loom.At long last I have some samples to show from my first advancing twill experiments. Even though I initially had a problem with this warp, I finally got them resolved and was able to start weaving.

I put a rather long (six yard) warp on the loom for this, with the idea that I could do a lot of treadling experiments with this threading and tie up. I plan to use the ones I like best for at least one scarf as well.

Both warp and weft are some synthetic yarns that I picked up somewhere for a dollar each. They are both about the size of an 8/2 cotton. I have 288 warp ends, sett at 24 epi.

The first of the samples I plan to keep with my advancing twill drafts and notes. Those drafts along with a explanation of what advancing twills are, can be found at this (click here) post.




Close-up of sample 1.
For all my samples I used the same threading and treadle tie up. This first example uses a straight, one through eight treadling. You can see a copy of the draft by clicking here.







Close-up of sample 2.






The second sample was treadles as drawn in. In other words, the treadling followed the same sequence as the threading did. You can see that draft by clicking here.

(The weft color is off a bit because of the lighting.)




Close-up of sample 3.




My third sample used a straight treadling with reverse: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc. That draft is right here.

I really like the way this one turned out, but one problem that it has is the length of the floats. In her workshop notes, Stacey recommended that the floats be no more than three. My weft floats are fine in this respect, but I have vertical warp floats of five at the reverses. You can see this better in the draft I made. (Link in previous paragraph.) This will give me something to work on, and I'll have some more samples to show soon.

 


© Dec 2007 by Leigh at Leigh's Fiber Journal

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10 comments:

Tina T-P said...

What fun to get to do all the experimenting! You can really see the pattern with the blue and white. It is amazing to me how different each part looks.

My shetland/silk yarn is washed and almost dry - I'll see if I can get it wound on my yarn winder machine (hope, hope) then get to crocheting the scarf for my sister. I found a substitute for her Christmas present, so if it turns out, this will be for her birthday in Feb.

Happy New Year! T.

cyndy said...

Very interesting to see your results and draft photos are terrific (helpful to me when I try to understand what you are doing)

Dorothy said...

Hi Leigh,

I've also been finding that a lot of my advancing twill designs are fine on the front but have rather long floats on the reverse. I don't think they'd stand up to hard use, such as upholstery, or clothes for everyday, but I think they'd be fine in situations where the back of the cloth can be lined and won't be getting a lot of abrasion.

It is disappointing though, to discover this happening when you have got the result you want on the face of the cloth. Some of the weave design softwares calculate the longest float. I'd like to have that facility.

Leigh said...

Thank you for this information, Dorothy. I will have to look at the back too. Since I don't have weaving software, I'm having to do it all by hand!

Helen said...

I am so impressed. The patterns are wonderful although I like the third one the most. If it was lined would the floats be such a problem?

Sharon said...

I wish I could understand how you get all those patterns from one warp. I need to open a bottle with a weaving genie - I just don't get it. It really does seem like magic and I know it's not.

Peg in South Carolina said...

Glad to see you're going to keep records........(grin!). I really like how you are presenting your photos of the fabrics. I learn so much from you!

bspinner said...

Wonderful pictures and very helpful information!!! Thanks for sharing all your hard work with us.

Jackie said...

Your samples turned out beautifully, and they are all so very different. How very exciting! Thanks for sharing. After reading about your adventures in advancing twills I feel that I have a better grasp of the structure.

Yvonne said...

Hi Leigh - I haven't stopped by to read your blog for a little while (holidays, etc.) and I was delighted to see that you're doing advancing twill! My weaving study group is going to do twill for our February project & I was just looking at some advancing twills last night. Your links are most helpful! I'll be working on kitchen towels, I think.

Happy New Year to you & yours from us in Bellingham WA!