Our Annual Craft Show At Quarr Abbey

We will be attending our annual craft show at Quarr Abbey. 

We open next Thursday 5th December and run to Tuesday 17th December.

Our online shops will be open every evening from 5.00pm GMT throughout this time.

My Next Event

Looking forward to our Annual Event at Quarr Abbey.

My Next Event

Weaving Baby Blankets - Follow the Process Part 3

 Here is the final part of my "follow the process" to show you a little of how my hand woven blankets are created. The above photo shows me winding a bobbin ready to go in the boat shuttle, this is what I use to weave the weft - the thread that travels across the warp to form the fabric.

 As I weave there is a rhythm to my work.
I press the right treadle/ pedal to open the shed - the path for the shuttle, pass the shuttle through and gentle beat the weft in place. I press the left treadle/pedal, pass the shuttle back through the shed and gently beat. The above photo shows the cloth roller which is turned as I weave to store the new cloth.

I work the colours in as blocks and stripes, enjoying the different effects and blends it creates.

When each blanket is woven the cloth is then ready to be removed from the loom and the exciting reveal is at last on view! 

I then twist the ends into colourful tassels and wash the blanket to set the fabric, this "fulling" completes the process and gives a wonderful soft finish.

Two sweet baby blankets, unique and special just like their new owners.

Weaving Baby Blankets - Follow The Process Part 2

 Summer has taken over here, it has been a busy one with plenty of sunshine for sailing and woolly adventures. But first I must get back to a project I have been "Showing the Process" of (back in May) so here is Part 2 of my Baby Blankets woven on my Saori loom.

Once I have threaded the reed it is time to thread the heddles

This task is very satisfying as I start to see the warp colours take shape and spread out across the loom.

Beaming the Warp

The ends are tied to a tying rod which is attached to the roller

  I need to wind the warp through the loom, towards the back, over the back beam and check the tension ready to weave.

The roller holds the warp neatly and every few turns I insert some card to make sure the warp doesn't develop any tangles.

At the front of the loom the warp is then ready to be attached to another tying rod and clipped to the front cloth roller, again I need to adjust the tension and of course check that all the heddles and reed threads are correctly set.

Now I am ready to weave.

I chose to weave different colourways on the weft, which makes each blanket unique.

Part 3 will show you the weaving and finishing process for the completed blankets.

I will be back very soon!

Winning The Cup And Woolfest

My Handwoven Saori Styled  Black and White Shawl Wrap won

"The Marleen Upson Memorial Cup For Weaving"

at I.O.W Spinners, Weavers and Dyers Guild this year. 

Here is a photo of my winning shawl modelled with a WrightTurned Wooden Brooch & Pin set.

I so enjoyed weaving this piece as I used different weaving methods with different textures and types of yarn along with soft blends of coloured tones in plums, greys, charcoals, blacks and whites. It is rich and luxurious giving a lightness and softness to the touch.

This item along with several of my other scarves, accessories and homeware will be available to purchase at Woolfest.

http://www.woolfest.co.uk/

Kim of The Saori Shed  will kindly be displaying and selling my saori work.

She can be found at stand H162-163.

http://www.thesaorished.co.uk/

 

If you are able to go to the event she will be offering an opportunity for people to weave on a saori loom and a chance to win a saori banner.

Pop along to her website and Woolfest website for more details.

Please contact me through my online shops at Folksy or Etsy by clicking on my links in the right hand column of this blog if you are interested in having an unique SWH saori weaving made especially for you or a WT brooch/pin.

Alternatively browse our shops for new pieces being added which will be ready to purchase.

Do Visit- Wayside Herbs

Beach at Shepherd's Chine- south coast of the Isle of Wight

Just  a short walk from the beach, Up Chine Lane is a new place to visit.

Wayside Herbs

Do pop over to the website to find out more.

http://waysideherbs.co.uk/

Newly opened it offers a wonderful traditional herb garden which is just beginning to burst into life. Full of plants and herbs. Also a border with plants grown for the making of natural dyes for wool and textile use, which I'm really looking forward to watching it grow and learning more about.

There are plenty of herbs and plants for sale , organically home grown. The perfect way to stock my own garden, particularly as there is range of different herbs not readily available elsewhere.

There is a Woolshed which houses a good display. Several spinning wheels, looms, and spinning and weaving equipment are shown in use with various textiles for you to admire.

Make your own pot- pourri with the natural ingredients  from the garden, walk the children's quiz and learn more about the history of textiles. 

There is a delightful little shop which sell all things handmade by local crafts people.

Here you can purchase some of my own  hand knitted and hand woven pieces- Sue Wright Handknits

So when you are next on the Island or live here and are wanting a new place to explore, Wayside Herbs is a rural small business with rustic charm and a very warm welcome.