2006 Handwoven Bookmark Exchange

The 2006 Handwoven Bookmark Exchange began in late 2005 through a discussion on one of the weaving lists. Twenty weavers quickly signed up for the first bookmark exchange. The exchange was so popular another bookmark exchange was then set up for other weavers who wanted to participate. We had close to six months to finish our bookmarks.

Louise was the coordinator for the exchange. And everyone who participated thanks her heartily for her help.

This was the distribution policy that Louise used for our bookmark exchange...of the 20 participants, four dropped out leaving 16 weavers in the final group.

Four weavers submitted less than 16 bookmarks
- one weaver submitted 5
- one weaver submitted 7
- one weaver submitted 10 and
- one weaver submitted 11.

Some weavers submitted multiple designs and/or more than 16 bookmarks.

Each participant who sent in 16 or more bookmarks received a total of 16 bookmarks. Some weavers may have received two bookmarks from the same weaver. All bookmarks not distributed were returned to the original weaver.

I volunteered to take pictures and put them on the web so everyone could share them with friends and Guilds. These are pictures of the bookmarks I received. Some weavers made bookmarks that varied in color, design or structure...only the ones I have are illustrated. When the back of the bookmark varied from the front...I put a picture of both in the write-up. I also added some [but not all] of the commentary that came with each bookmark.

On the right sidebar is a listing of the weave structure and name of the each weaver that participated in this exchange. Just click on the name and through the magic of the internet you will be taken to the respective page.

Enjoy & happy weaving!

Fiber Scriber

Taquete by Fiber Scriber

Weave Structure: taquete

Design: I created each beetle unique beetle pattern for each series of bookmarks. I wove 19 series. Each series consisted of three bookmarks.

Warp: overlock sewing thread

Weft: Sulky embroidery thread of 40 wt. rayon and some pieces have holoshimmer.

Sett: 40 epi

Reed: 10 dpi with 4 threads per dent

Fringe: used floating warp on each side

Loom: 8 harness Purrington Table Loom

Finishing: sergered the ends

Futher information - just click to see/read more:

How I started

Warping commences

My first bookmark & more warping discoveries

What my loom looked like

What I do when I am lost for color

Just off the loom

Finished!


I love to weave both taquete and tapestry. You can read more about me, my weaving and my journey into knitting in my other blogs. See profile to the right.

Reversing Twill by Tricia

"Here is a brief description of the weave.

Some of the bookmarks I wove were in pick up damask, but I used the 3 shaft twill to weave the others. This particular bookmark is woven with a white weft in a reversing twill. It was a 1,2,3 treadling and then reversed. The black and white I used as weft is a seed yarn with an uneven pattern which gives a wonderful fancy effect for no effort.

The damask bookmarks had a pick-up. I picked up the pattern threads, put the pick-up stick toward the reed, changed theshed and then put in a weft, after removing the stick. Then repeated the sequence. I learned the technique from Erica de Ruiter and would love to be more specific, but it seems it needs a lesson. It did not work that well on the bookmarks as I think a bigger canvas would be better.

I have some rayon seed yarn in black and white and that was on the"patterned" ones. So simple. I do not know what will happen when I runout of that fabulous well-aged yarn.

About myself.

I live in BC in the Kootenays in a small town of Rossland. This is a ski town, experiencing a building boom, which does not seem to be a great thing as we have lots of shops closing. I love the area as the mountains are so lovely, the weather is moderate and I love the seasons. Right now very, very green as we have had lots and lots of rain. I am married, to a wonderful man who is tolerant of my weaving, spinning, dyeing, felting and other things. I am a Master Spinner, no handspun on the bookmarks, though.

I ski, but have graduated to Cross Country skiing after 28 or so years of Downhill skiing. Knees seem to start to complain, but the walking, biking, canoeing, and cross country skiing are fine, as is the gardening, which seems to be mainly pulling weeds.We live in town, but so close to the woods that we have problems with squirrels, raccoons, deer and bears. The deer love my choice of food and the bears like the fruit trees. The raccoons will destroy whatever they can. No grandchildren, but one mature SamoyedX dog who I dearly love as well. I love my kids too.

I enjoyed the bookmark exchange."

Tricia

An 8 Shaft Pattern by Joyce

Sources: "A Weaver's Book of 8-Shaft Patterns, edited by Carol Strickler, page 103, treadling 369, 370 or 371, depending on which bookmark you received. [371 is pictured here...FS]

Yarn: Warp: No. 10 crochet thread purchased at Joanne's. Weft: Doubled strand of 10/2 perle cotton, color No. 43, beige, purchased from Halcyon Yarn.

Threading & Sleying: 3 repeats of pattern. Doubled floating selvege as well as doubled first two and last two threads of warp (72 end sotal). Ends were sleyed 4/dent in a 12-dent reed.

Weaving: Crochet thread was woven for first 10 and last 10 pics of bookmarks.

Finishing: Zig-zag stitched beginning and ending of each bookmark then used rotary cutter to cut fringes.

Comments: I wanted to weave bookmarks that would be appropriate to give to men as well as women. I hope I have succeeded. Enjoy!

I'm 63 years old, married for the second time and have a 35 year old son by my first marriage. I live on Cape Code in Massachusetts and am retired from the working world. I've been weaving and spinning since about 1972. This spring I sold my 4-harness LeClerc loom that I have been using since the 70's and bought a Gilmore 32" 8-harness loom. After changing the tie-ups to texsolv, I have been enjoying this loom. Very sturdy. Other interests/hobbies include kayaking, skiing, golf, duplicate bridge and knitting. "

Joyce
June 2006

Plain Weave by Catherine

This bookmark was handwoven on an inkle loom, using spaced-dyed cotton warp and 5/2 perle cotton weft.

Using spaced dyed yarn makes the finished weaving look more complicated than the plain weave it is.

Enjoy!

Catherine
June 2006


ps. All the bookmarks are all so lovely - so lovely I have to share them. When my husband and I 'retired' to Tehachapi (mountain community between Bakersfield and Lancaster, CA. at 4700ft) we were fortunate enough to find a home with a small room that we could use as a library. We have put round table with two chairs and recliner in there along with book shelves along two walls. I have put them into a basket so that any visitor coming for a visit and wants to read quielty can borrow a bookmark.

Thanks again for all of the work and thougthfulness and to Louise for organizing the entire experience!

Overshot by Charlotte

Dear Louise and members of the bookmark exchange!

After I began weaving the Shaker bookmarks, I decided I would switch gears and weave about half in the miniature overshot. Therefore, everyone will receive the drawdown for the overshot.

I wanted to weave all 20 in the overshot but family matters have dictated otherwise.

Sincerely,
Charlotte
Fredericksburg, Texas
March 2006

Rosepath by Karen

Greetings fellow bookmark exchange members!

I really enjoyed participating in this exchange but I feel as if I need to start all over again to apply what I've learned! Each bookmark was a study in itself and I regret, I made many mistakes both in design and technique. But hopefully, you'll understand and still find a 'home' for your bookmark.

I've been a weaver since 1978 and in the past decade have mostly woven rugs. So, working with finer threads was a challenge for me and a surprising one!

I have a few 'antique looms' - a Weaver's Delight and a Newcomb which are my favorites for weaving rugs. One of my all time favorite looms was my first loom - a Harrisville 22" floor loom. I wove my first rug/bath mat on that loom and that rug is one of the few that is still holding up!!! I also have a LeClerc Nilus, a 36" homemade loom, a tri-loom I built, a Navaho loom I built as well as a couple of table looms.

The bookmarks for this exchange were woven on the Dorothy table loom by LeClerc. I've included the rosepath threading used for these bookmarks and have indicated the particular pattern for each bookmark."

Karen



Editors Note: the bookmarks shown are a 'tulip' pattern...which you may not have recognized since the photos are upside down!

Log Cabin by Gerry

Weave Structure: Log cabin

Warp: 16/2 cotton

Weft: 16/2 cotton

epi: 45

Notes: I apologize for the awful selveges. I tried everything to try to improve them but nothing seemed to work. If I would have had the time I would have replaced them with something else. I decided to weave log cabin so I could play with color instead of structure. I'll consider this a learning experience.

I took my first weaving lesson about 9 years ago. since I retired from teaching (high school special ed.) two years ago I've been able to spend more time weaving and spinning, It's been great! I like trying different weave structures and am hoping to try some 'pick-up' patterns.

This has been an exciting year for me. My first grandchild was born in Jan. and of course he's perfect! My daughter and her family live in New York which is about a five hour drive, so I don't get to see them as often as I'd like. My son just got married in April. They live in NYC and I'm hoping to visit them next month. I wove their chupah (wedding canopy) which was special for all of us.

I like participating in the weaving exchanges because it always amazes me what other weavers are doing. It helps energize me.

I hope everyone had fun.

Gerry
June 2006

Morning Glory by Debbie

Weave Structure: plain weave

Warp: 10/2 perle cotton in natural

Weft: 10/2 perle cotton in natural

Sett: 30 epi (2 per dent in 15 dent reed)

Number of ends: 90

Other materials:
Textile paints
EZ-Cut printing block
Linoleum carving tool set
Flat bristle brush

I stamped and brushed designs on to the warp on the loom before weaving each bookmark. The effect is similar to ikat but much easier to achieve. I chose the yarn and sett with definition of the painted designs in mind. The finer the yarn the closer the sett, the better the definition.

Making Stamp

Using linoleum carving tools, I carved the stamp from the EX-Cut block. I traced a large metal washer onto the slab to make a donut shape, then cut away the areas I didn't want to print. I thought the shape needed a little pizazz so I carved 'spikes" radiating from the center. Voila - a stylized morning glory (which explains the color choice).

Stamping

First, I made a printing surface: I covered a sturdy piece of Styrofoam with a pepr tpwel and wedged it under the warp where it enters the reed. I increased warp tension to prevent shifting of the yarns during painting.

I printed the morning glory shapes first: Using the end of a wedge-shaped cosmetic sponge, I strippled a thin layer of blue textile paint onto the stamp, Supporting the Styrofoam with my left hand, I firmly pressed the stamp into the warp then liftee it off. I re-painted the stamp before stamping the second flower.

Painting

Using a narrow flat bristle brush, I painted the yellow flower centers, brushed in the red shapes, then painted the green leaves.

Drying

I removed the Stryofoam sheet and opened the shed to separate warp ends and speed drying. A hair dryer quickly dried the paint so I could start weaving again immediately

Weaving

I inserted two Popsicle sticks between bookmarks to allow for fringe, then started weaving plain weave. I wove just enough the cover the painted areas.

Finishing/Lesson Learned the Hard Way

According to the label on the textile paints, I should have pressed each bookmark for 30 seconds on the highest setting the fiber will tolerate to set the color. But I didn’t do that. In a senior moment, I hand washed the bookmarks first in cold water, allowed them to dry, then pressed them. As a result, there was some color fading and some of the red transferred, to my dismay. It was interesting to note, however, that the bookmarks painted more than a week ago did not fade; those that were painted within the past few days faded the most. It’s not a dramatic difference, but disappointing all the same! Obviously, allowing the paint to “batch” helps set it. (I once took an art quilt class from a nationally known quilter who said she never heat-sets her textile paints. She just lets them set for a few weeks.)

Notes

• A sheet of foamcore also makes a good painting surface. If you have a large enough piece of whatever you use, cut it so that one end can rest on the reed’s shuttle race and the other on the cloth beam.

• Apply paint to the stamp in one or more thin layers. Stipple the paint onto the stamp until you have an even layer of paint. Test the stamp on paper before applying it to your warp. If you are using a carved stamp, testing might show you have to “tweak” your carving to get the image you want. Wash stamp immediately after stamping and dry completely before using again. (EZ-Cut can crack or break with rough handling, so be gentle!)

• Don’t worry about painting perfect shapes with the brush. Weaving blurs the edges and make shapes less distinct anyway.
Resources

A similar technique using stencils instead of stamps is described by Elda Kohls in her article “Ikat Effects Without the Fuss,” in the November/December 2000 issue of Handwoven magazine.

EZ-Cut Printing Blocks and linoleum carving tools are available from Dick Blick (www.dickblick.com).

I used Jacquard Textile Paints, but there are many other brands. A good source is Dharma Trading (www.dharmatrading.com). Colors used were 118 Olive Green, 101 Yellow, 111 Sky Blue and 107 Ruby Red.

About the Weaver

I have enjoyed weaving on and off as a hobby for about 14 years. My projects tend to focus on color effects, rather than weave structure. I love using hand-dyed yarns to weave scarves and shawls. Although I have dabbled in dyeing my own cotton warps with fiber reactive dyes, most of the time I purchase them. (You can see my faux ikat shawl at Heritage Yarns' Web site,

I'm a member of Chimneyville Weavers and Spinners Guild, based in Mississippi. For the past year I've been taking an ongoing weaving class from Marcy Petrini, author of the "Right From the Start" column in Shtttle, Spindle and Dypot magazine. Marcy thinks I need to 'stretch'myself more, since I tend to weave merrily along in my own little comfort zone of plain weave and twills. I'm going to have to try a more challenging project soon just to her her off my back. (just kidding, Marcy).

Besides weaving, I like to sew, knit and spin - and collect fabric, yarn, beads, fiber arts books, etc. One of thse dayes, I want to get serious about making small scale art quilts. Since childhood I've had a special itnerst in ethnic art and textiles - their bright colors and patterns are exciting to me. A project I am completing now is a twill scarf with narrow, random stripes of bright color, inspired by Guatemalan weaving.

I'm a 49 year old, life long result of Mississippi employed as an editor so I can buy more yarn, more fabrics and dog food. My husband and I have three rescued dogs and two cats. We're currently trying to find a home for a stray female dog and her puppy who recently wandered into our lives. Anybody interested?

Debbie
June 2006
Mississippi

Wabi-Sabi Twill by Gail

"The concept of Wabi-Sabi has many meanings and applications mainly because it has a certain vagueness that lends itself to happy interpretation. One aspect of this philosophical concept is about seeing beauty where none is expected. Another is seeing uses for an object when its original purpose has been exhausted.

These bookmarks were woven on a Heritage table loom using a 9.75/3 cotton for the warp and light weight plastic strips cut from the bags in which newspapers are delivered. Cutting the plastic at a consistent width presented difficulties. Frequently the scissors went in one direction and the plastic in another. Weaving with it presented other challenges. Sometimes it was too thin and sometimes it was too thick. It broke easily. Sometimes it bunched. Little spikes peaked out. Unweaving changed the personality of the plastic and affected the pattern. The plastic worked nicely in the twill pattern and at first sight looks rather elegant. It glistens and shines. It washes nicely. Only the cotton shrinks.

I live in the mountains of Western North Carolina, a New York transplant. I discovered weaving about nine years ago. I've taken classes, bought a lot of equipment and yarn, but have not become the weaver I would like to be.

I have had the good fortune of studying for three semesters as a student in the Professional Crafts Program at Haywood Community College. The fiber component was taught by Catherine Ellis. I am active in The Western North Carolina Fiber/Handweavers Guild and the study group Fiber Friends. I attended my first Convergence in Denver in 2004. Right now, I am working on a fund raiser, a silent auction, for the Blue Ridge Handweaving Show, sponsored by the Guild.

May the thrums be with you!"

Gail
North Carolina

Undulating Rosepath by Patricia

Undulating Rosepath Version 11 - - From The Rosepath Motif, by Margaret Windeknecth

Warp Description
Warp yarn: 8/2 cotton
Sett: 24 epi
Reed: 12 dpi
Sley: 2 per dent
# ends: 72

Weft Description
Weft yarn: 8/2 cotton tabby, 10/2 cotton pattern
Color: tabby pink, pattern purple

Finishing: Machine stitches, washed, dried and ironed.

.I am 57 years old, had two daughters, and two grandaughters, and another grand baby on the way. We live on three acres of ground, partially wooded. Have three cats, 1 German shepherd, 1 golden retriever puppy, and an orange winded Amazon parrot.

I have been weaving on and off for 20+ years. Started back in NJ when I was raising my daughters. Did some basic teaching of weaving out of my house. Had a nice little studio and used table looms for teaching. Once we moved, the weaving got put aside, no room and no studio. So I do very little now, its just so much trouble getting everything together. Things are scattered all over, my dining room is the storage area, some stuff in the basement, some stuff in a hall closet, and my Schacht loom in the family room.

I have a 36" Schacht, 8H, 10T. A 45" Glamakra, 8H, 10T. A Reeves Spinning wheel and other assorted gadgets.

Patricia
May 2006

Twill by Margaret

Weaving Pattern: an eight harness straight twill, color & weave from A Weaver's Book of 8-Shaft Patterns by Carol Stickler, page 20 - #59.

Color Pattern: 8 blue, 8 red, warp & weft

Yarns Used: warp & weft 8/2 cotton

Sett: 24epi

Width on Loom: 56 ends, 2 1/2"

Length of Bookmark: 7" plus fringe

I learned to weave in college in the late 60's. I was taking a general art course and signed up for the weaving class taught by the Home Ec. Department.

When I moved to Waldron Island in 1972 I brought with me a handmade loom made by a friend. I wove presents for friends and various household items for years, but it wasn't until I was married and moved to what is now Thousand Flower Farm that I started production weaving.

A friend gave us three bummer lambs, lambs whose mothers wouldn't take care of them. My husband wanted to learn to spin, to use our wool and to find a way to sell it that would bring in a reasonable income. So I dragged the loom out of storage and started making rugs from his handspun wool using a cotton warp material. They were an immediate success.

Recently I have added lovely soft scarves from rayon chenille an bright colored rag rugs woven in an old Swedish pattern. I continue to add new ideas and techniques to my repertoire.

I took up knitting because you can't carry a loom around with you and thus I created my line of felted and knitted hats."

Margaret
June 2006
Washington

Finn Weave by Martha

Pattern: Finnweave

Source: Handwoven Jan/Feb. 1999

Material: 8/2 unmerc. cotton.

Sett: 40 epi in 10 dent reed with two light pattern and 2 dark ground

The threading for this weaving is very straight forward. However, it would be difficult to explain the weaving process here. [Editor: note the pictures illustrate the back and front of the same bookmark]

I am a fifty eight year old retired CCRN. I have been doing knitting and crochet as far back as I can remember, but almost 20 years ago I decided that spinning would be a great thing to learn. This lead directly to my learning basket making so I would have something neat to put my wools and yarns in.

Then approximately 10 years ago, I decided I had knitted enough socks, sweaters etc. so the next thing was weaving. My DH built me a beautiful small four harness loom. I bought a couple of books and got started. I have never had a lesson, but I do have a friend who is also a weaver, so we bounce ideas and problems off each other, which has been a great help.

Martha
June 2006
Washington

Overshot by Chris

"Hope you enjoy this bookmark!

I used a portion of an overshot pattern from Marguerite Davidson's book. If I were to do it over, I would use a finer thread both for the warp and weft. They came out better than I thought they would, though.

I live in the Cascade Mountains of Washington state. We own and operate a back country resort for hiking and skiing located near the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area at 5000 feet of elevation near the Chiwaukum Mountains.

Besides my love of the outdoors and my weaving, I enjoy traveling and spending time with family especially my two grandchildren! "

Chris
June 2006

West Virginia Coal Miners by Kathy

"The pattern for the bookmarks is an original design by me. It is a name draft that decodes as "West Virginia Coal Miners". It was created as a memorial to not just the recent miners who lost their lives, but to all the miners over the history of our state that died trying to make a living. I do not like the industry, but love, understand and appreciate my fellow Mountaineers. I hope that one day soon, their safety will matter more to old "King Coal" than the almighty dollar.

My name is Kathy. I am a 48 year old West Virginia native, married with three grown daughters, three son-in-laws and two grandsons. I have a lot of hobbies, including weaving, fly fishing, hiking, genealogy, quilting and protecting my beautiful states' natural resources and heritage."


Kathy

Leno by Nancy

"Warp:
Ground: 10/2 white cotton
Sett: 30 epi
Reed: 10 dent
Number of ends: 56 on shafts 1 & 2

Supplementary A:
10/2 hand dyed cotton used double on shafts 3 &4 only
Heddle 3 is dented with one pair of ground warps which precede it.
Heddle 4 is dented with one pair ground warps which follow it.

Supplementary B:
Mix of 10/2 and 8/2 used as above
Notes: There are 8 picks of ground between each supplementary warp tie down. There are 2 tie-downs before the leno twist is done. It is recommended to use a pickup stick on the leno twist.

A second beam or separate weights must be used with the supplementary warp. Do not beam with the ground warp because of different take-up ratios. Also, test weight on the Supplementary warp. You do not want too much weight.

Supplementary warp A was hand dyed by NancyJoDesigns.




Nancy has completed the Ontario Handweavers Certificate Master certificate Program. After completing this program she has continued her studies in color and design with Pat Lambert, professor at Parsons School of Design and primary author and photographer of Color and Fiber. She has also done independent studies in color, design, weaving and knitting techniques, and has attended numerous workshops. Presently Nancy team-teaches weaving with Mary Jo under the name NancyJoDesigns and various workshops on color, knitting and weaving."

Nancy
http://nancyjodesign.com

Classic Moorman by Louise

"...and one thing leads to another...

In mid 2005, I participated in a handwoven note card exchange and at the end, received a box full of fascinating and creative cards.

I needed to weave and exchange more...and the handwoven bookmark exchange evolved.

This bookmark is woven using the classic Moorman Exercise from page 19 of the book, Theme and Variation, MOre Weaving that Sings by Nadine Sanders and Joyce Harter.

epi: 36

24 ground warps in 10/2 perle cotton

12 tie down warps in 20/2 perle cotton

All warp yarns from Halcyon

Weft: various and from many sources...mostly forgotten

Reed: 12 dent

The 2004 Grace Hudson Museum newsletter shows me in a typical position at my desk at the museum wearing a jacket of fabric, I designed, wove and created. An origami peacock sits on the top of the computer monitor. "

Louise
Czarina of Origami
Redwood City, California

The Unknown Bookmark

This bookmark came in my package with no information about its creator or its nature. The selvedges are excellent as is the color selection.

Since sixteen weavers participated in this exchange, one of the artists who I have posted already is the creator this wonderful bookmark. Can you tell which?






Turns out the creator of this bookmark was Charlotte! Many thanks to Margaret for the quick identification of the unknown bookmark.