Monday, April 07, 2008

Off the Loom

The heavier weft multiple tabby weave sample is off the loom. I put part of it, a smaller piece, through a wash and dry cycle, and left the rest of it unwashed for the time being.

Here it is unwashed:


Here it is after washing and pressing:


The width in the reed was 19 inches (380 ends at 20 epi)
The width before washing was 17.25 inches.
The width after washing is 15.5 inches.

It is 100% mercerized cotton. You may recall that the warp is 8/2s and the weft a sport weight knitting yarn.

Visually there isn't a humongous amount of difference between the unwashed sample and the washed, except when noting the treadling pattern. I think the biggest difference (besides the shrinkage) is how much softer the washed sample is. It is a little wrinklier too.

Because of the heavier weft, it is actually a fairly heavy fabric. Not something I would use for a dishcloth or a blouse. It would probably be good for placemats or a table runner, but I'm thinking upholstery, specifically a pillow front(?) If I decide to do that, I don't think I want to wash the larger piece. I'll just use it as is. My reasoning is that few throw pillows are required to survive a washer and dryer. Nor do they ever seem to be dried cleaned. At least I never have!

Weaving this has reminded me a little of the Fibonacci overlays I did in Summer & Winter. And that has gotten the mental wheels turning. Hopefully I have some fun experimenting ahead.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like the effect this weave gives as the different colours move from background to foreground. Your experiments have added a new item to my things-to-try list!

Peg in South Carolina said...

Press it hard with lots of steam (or, if you don't have an iron that produces tons of steam, dampen the fabric) and see what happens.

Anonymous said...

What a difference washing makes (for shrinkage.) I tend to full everything, either by washing or wet finishing, depending on the fiber. I have never really given consideration to not doing it. Will have to do some testing of that. Thanks.

Sharon said...

I read Laura Frey say, It's not finished until it's wet finished. It really does make a big difference in the handle. I use the steam iron directly - no delicate press cloth for me.

Leigh said...

I agree usually, Sharon, but what do you think about upholstery fabrics? Perhaps it helps them hold shape better(?) They usually seem so stiff.

Annie said...

Next time you should try to have one more sample, that is washed, but not put into the dryer. This might make a lot of difference. What gave the shrinkage now, you think? The washing or the drying?

Leigh said...

Annie, as far as I know it's a little from both, especially for cotton. I always wash everything in cold water, though many folks seem to wash their handwovens in hot. For me then, I think most of the shrinkage occurs in the hot dryer. You're right, I should try one sample with wash only.

Tracy said...

Really an interesting fabric. It really has a lot of depth. I like it.