More Thoughts from March Meeting

We all know that unused stash breeds in dark corners and when we come to look at it we have masses of "what can I do with this" yarn. The same applies to our group and this was the day it all came out for a serious look and think session. Several members took some home with a project in mind but much remained.

One suggestion was that members should each take some home and weave fabric for re-useable shopping bags. Chris's rag weave bag was pounced on as  suitable size and shape, and also someone's fabric bag was a good example.

Of course, supermarket bags have ideal dimensions as well. It will be interesting to see what follow-up there is to this discussion.

March 2018 Meeting

Here, in all its glory, is the scarf made from the warp painting done at the February meeting. Joan separated the two warps into several sections and alternated them across the width of the scarf. She used a fine brown weft. What a glorious result. The fringes are still to be dealt with and there was considerable discussion about how this would be done.

There were very few items for Show and Tell this time but here is a cheerful hanging with oodles of colour and texture from Rosemary.

 Chris has been working on collapse weave with differential shrinkage. Here is her scarf in the "before washing" state. Watch this space for the "after."

Warp Painting Demo

Joan is suitably kitted out and has the scene prepared

From her trusty supply of basic dyes, Joan has prepared the colours

Note the "brush". It is made of foam.

Chris is co-opted to paint one of the warps. This one is hand spun.

Win and Nancy look on, checking on the technique

Jan, Noelene, Betsy and Rosemary make up the audience. Rosemary is checking a magazine article on the subject.

Final touches to make sure the gaps are filled.

What would we do without plastic wrap?

Keeping the moisture in and the air out

Two very long "sausage rolls"

One at a time they are folded into a plastic container

. . . and "cooked" in a specially designated microwave oven

Has this had enough heat?

Looking very promising

Unwrapping and rinsing

Two warps = completely different

Joan's apron tells the sad tale of Adeline McGlory who fell into the dyepot. Fortunately no untoward incidents marred this day and all lived to tell the tale. We look forward to seeing these scarf warps when they are woven.