Part 4 - Project 9 Woven Structures Stage 1 Preparation

When I began thinking about this project and began collecting together the materials to start it I saw woven structures in lots of places as I was out and about.  These ranged from twigs woven into a garden ornament to a throw that was woven from very soft wool.  I found the garden ornament intriguing and thought how much more difficult it must have been to manipulate the twigs as opposed to the wool that were used for the blanket.  I liked the blanket very much because I like the tactile quality of textiles.

I was recently taken out for a birthday meal by friends and whilst in the restaurant I spied what I think is an amusing woven structure.  Quite cute also I think.  It is a woven structure depicting a pig. I of course jumped straight up and started photographing it much to the amusement of my friends although  I am lucky that they do understand and are intrigued by what inspires me since doing this course. The pig appears to be woven into shape using cane.  I like the contrast again between a soft woven textile to a 3D structure woven from a harder material.  Interestingly I found the piece as tactile as the rug because of the smooth surface of the cane and the ridges that were formed by the weaving.  I like the tail and the legs as they were 'wrapped' reminding me of the structure work that I did on braiding at the beginning of this assignment.

I was lent a small loom by a friend but found it too complicated to warp up and decided to use an old silk painting frame that I had.  As I needed to learn the basics of warping and tapestry work I decided this was the best option.  It took me about 5 attempts to warp up the frame.  I did not find it easy to get an even tension at first.  Eventually I managed it also managing to do a heading cord as well.