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Wow – that was unexpected

I usually consider myself a quick study. I learn most things pretty easily. So I was excited back in September to take a class in triaxial weaving – weaving in 3 different directions, in this case with 1/4″ ribbon.

The first layer of weaving was simple straight lines. No problem. The second layer was weaving in a different color ribbon in a specific pattern and at an angle. Easy peasy.

The third layer was using yet another color ribbon, using the opposite angle to layer 2. I didn’t get it. I couldn’t see the patterns. I tried with paper in fatter strips, thinking maybe that would help. Nope. By the end of the class, I still didn’t get it, although others in the class did. (Clarification…I could absolutely see the pattern in a completed piece; I could not figure out how to weave that third layer to make the design.)

I came home and put it aside. “I don’t have time for this.” Then this weekend I needed to do a few hours of demonstration on Saturdsay afternoon at the Weavers’ Guild Holiday Sale. What would I demo? I wanted it to be triaxial weaving. “Come on, I can do this!” So I spent at least 3 hours on Thursday evening, looking at the teacher’s handout and a few YouTube videos and playing with ribbon.

Nope. Nada. I don’t see it.

Friday evening I probably spent another 2 hours. Same results. Nothing.

Saturday morning, suddenly I got it! I saw the pattern! I made a sample out of paper to ensure that I really had it. Yep, I did.

So that afternoon I went to the Sale and did a demo on trixial weaving. I explained to everyone who came by that I was very new at it, and therefore slow. But I am SO pleased with my results!!

triaxial weaving

Moving on, I was SHOCKED when I went back at the end of the sale to pick up my unsold pieces. There were SO FEW of them!

I sold all the socks I had dyed for the sale, and eight of my handwoven towels. But WHAT??!!

I sold that chenille jacket so beautifully modeled in the last post, as well as this cotton & bamboo jacket, which I finished Wednesday evening for Thursday morning screening.

silver to gold jacket

I sold the mobi made on the same warp, also finished Wednesday evening.

silver to gold mobi

I sold a rayon chenille mobi made in the spring, and the Brilliant Ideas mobi with the light weft. (I’d already sold the one with the dark weft to a friend.)

That’s all great news! So exciting and rewarding that people really liked my things!

That’s also the bad news, as now I have no jackets and only 1 mobi to bring to the Roycroft sale at the end of this month. I have to work REALLY HARD for the next few weeks!

So I got this warp on the loom right away. Cotton, rayon, and a novelty yarn in different weights, transitioning from burnt orange to dusty rose.

orange to rose yarns

Now I’ve got to get back to the loom!

7 comments to Wow – that was unexpected

  • Martha

    Super exciting news about all your sales! Congratulations! Love that you persisted in your efforts to learn to triaxial weaving!

  • Congrats on the sales – your work is beautiful so I can see why it sells well.

    Isn’t that triaxial weave fun? We learned it at guild many years ago and I loved it but I sure had to concentrate. I’ve had thoughts of using it for our holiday cards but I’d really have to whittle the mailing list if I did that!

    • Peg Cherre

      Thanks, Cindie. The woman who taught the class in triaxial weaving suggested cards, and had blanks there students could buy, but I could tell that even if I’d gotten how to do it then, that I’d be willing to make, oh, maybe 4 cards total, so no, not for my list!

      Here’s a link to a blog with lots of ribbon weaving. Keep scrolling down to see different colors and patterns. https://weavingahistory.wordpress.com/tag/ribbon-weaving/

  • Peg Cherre

    It is definitely tumbling blocks. It was very easy for me to see it when someone else had woven it; what I couldn’t see was where to insert the 3rd layer of ribbon to CREATE those tumbling blocks. Kept getting it wrong.

    Well, Alma, some people use the weaving to create cards in window-card stock. I am most definitely not going to do that in the foreseeable future – it takes too long for too little likely outcome in sales.

  • Alma

    Yes, Theresa, Tumbling Blocks it is.

    Peg – I’m so tickled for you and your sales! I’ll bet the chilly, rainy weather we have been having led folks to see how cozy and BEAUTIFUL your creations are.

    Now, a dumb question – what is the application of triaxial weaving for you?

  • You busy beaver! Congrats on all the wonderful sales. Obviously you live in an area where people have excellent taste!
    I saw the pattern right away. If you’ve quilted at all it mimics Tumbling Blocks! Neat weaving!

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