With my first project under my belt, and the desire to use as much of my 'undesirable' stash as I could, I had some scraps that needed to go away. But go away in a good way! So I thought I'd put them to good use in a small wall hanging using 1/4" bias strips.
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| MINI WEAVE WALL HANGING 11 1/4" x 11 1/4" |
To make the 1/4" strips I started with 1/2" strips and ran them through my bias maker tool. I can't imagine making so many strips without that tool! I'm sure I would never have tried weaving if I didn't have it!
This is only my second time weaving, but there are a couple things that I've learned along the way. Since I have only tried using prints, I've learned that you need to group more rows of the same fabric together in order to see a distinctive pattern. And have them go vertical and horizontal. Darker fabrics will obviously stand out more.
Another issue I came across, and this might be more for humid parts of the country, after making the bias strips I found if you let them sit around for a couple days they start to loose the crispness of the press. I had to run the iron over many of the strips before I could weave them through.
The good news is I learned a way to prevent that. After I had a layer of strips ironed, I would lay them on a board and then place another board over them and repeat. And to make sure they stayed crisp I added a little weight to the top. I used foam board and heavy cardboard for mine. Whenever I was ready to weave, they would be ready to go!
I don't really think something this small needs to be quilted, but quilt it I did! I think I mainly did it so that there was texture and a design on the back. That's kind of weird when I think about it! Simple straight lines was the answer...again!
A combination of Aurifil pink, yellow and orange thread was randomly used. As you can see, the lines created a grid and with that...texture!
Finishing it off with a pretty pink binding, my second woven project was in the bag! I can't wait for wefty weave #3! I really want to try it with solids, but I'm trying to use my print stash...what's a girl to do?!
Have I nudged you even closer to trying the Wefty Needle for weaving yet? Maybe my next project will tip the tables for you!
LINKING:
Amazing work, with tiny bias strips!
ReplyDeleteI had one more idea I had to try and it was another fun finish!
DeleteLove the brightness of this wall hanging and your rug! It certainly is a lot of work but well worth it in the end. I used to weave strips together when I was a kid but haven't thought about doing it with those tiny, tiny strips. Good idea about the boards and weights to keep the fabric crisp. The recipient is a lucky person! Nadine Willis N. California
ReplyDeleteIt was a bit of work, but I’m always looking for something new and some project or another that I can do in the evenings. Weighting down the strips after making the bias tape is a must in our humid weather!
DeleteI think adding the quilting detail is fantastic and I really like how it helps the weaving read through to the backing. Great tip for using more than one weave of a print when working on such a small scale.
ReplyDeleteI am feeling inspired now!! I have a lot of smaller scraps that I think would work for a mug rug. thanks for the tips and inspiration
ReplyDeleteAnother great finish! So cute. I can't believe those are undesirable fabrics!!
ReplyDeleteSome of the fabric I used has been sitting around for well over five years! And since I’m not a big ‘print’ girl…they had to go!
DeleteI love this! would starching the strips help?
ReplyDeleteI do use starch on my strips. Depending on the fabric some stay flat, but the humidity still messes with a lot of them!
DeleteI am intrigued by the process. Those are tiny pieces. Once again, well done. I'm sure the recipient will be pleased.
ReplyDeleteWow is all I can say! I just made a fair ribbon with a weave on it but mine were strips of raw edge fusible pieces of fabric that I wove and then just glued. I bow to you on this!!! :)
ReplyDeleteVery fun! What a great way to use up some of those left over strips. You used some great colors, very summery, like a sorbet.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty. Your work does indeed delight me even if I am jealous (just slightly) of the new owner :-) Of course, I have the customized quilt bearing my name. It delights me every time I see it and I see it often since it is in my studio :-)
ReplyDeleteThe recipient will indeed by surprised and so delighted. I love seeing what all you are weaving-keep it coming:)
ReplyDeleteHi Jayne, I've been following your weaving adventure. I really like your quilts. I've actually done some weaving with fabric. A very long time ago it was on a real loom and in the last couple of years they have been part of art quilts. They were not, however, folder over. That's the part I'm not sure I want to do. I actually have to make one for the Starry Bright Sky QAL this month, so I guess I'll be giving it a try. Thanks for linking up to TGIFF!
ReplyDeleteIt's really pretty Jayne and interesting to read about the specifics of the craft.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your tips with us. This little project is so cute!
ReplyDeleteReally neat. Love the colors, too.
ReplyDeleteHi, Jayne, I just found your fabric weaving blogs again. I saw them when you originally posted them and then got involved with something else. So I am re-interested. I am curious about the board you used. I was thinking of using a piece of foam core but then if I iron it when I finish weaving I think the foam core will melt. That would be a disaster! What's your suggestion? Thanks so much for your detailed instructions! I love reading all your blogs!
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