Arrowmont Day Two

I cannot say enough good things about this place.  Although it was a scramble to arrange for our alternate class, everything is going beautifully.  The staff is amazingly responsive and the weaving studio is spacious and well equipped.  Today we tackled ikat.  This is a resist dyeing technique where the yarns used for weaving are wrapped in areas to resist the dye such as pictured below.

See these wrapped little bundles almost ready for the dye pot.

Sasha going over acid dye basics.

Below Sasha demonstrates untying the yarn bundles to begin weaving.

This is Katsuri, an even more labor intensive method of dyeing.  Sasha is wrapping yarn precisely over a comma.  Then you mark the fabric so the image of the comma is covered with the resist tape.

Below is my sample weaving as I practice weaving with my ikat dyed yarns.

Day two at Arrowmont  is done.  Tomorrow we will begin weaving larger peices, putting into practice the tecniques learned today.  Sometimes life brings you surprises that are just what you need.  Learning these ikat techniques from Sasha is actually more applicable to my tapestry practice than the Navajo class would have been.  Go figure!

Arrowmont

It is surprising that I haven't posted in a month, but I have not been idle.  My tapestry weaving of late has been more about process and play than product.
I had such fun with the dye experiments chronicled a few posts ago.

 I am not in love with the tapestry that resulted.  But I achieved the goal of using texture in wedge weave with mixed fibers all dyed in the same fustic pot.

I love rusty stuff so added this rusted tin sun.  This is aptly titled "Good Day Sunshine."  My tapestry "A Joyful Noise " is in Reno at Convergence.  What I am most pleased with is the vibrant color from my natural dyeing efforts.

I also did a small Navajo sampler last week to get ready for my class at Arrowmont .  Unfortunately the instructor had a medical emergency and could not teach the Navajo class as scheduled.  Arrowmont scrambled to replace the class with one on Ikat in weft faced weaving with Sasha Baskin.

Sasha is an artist in residence and a talented textile artist.  My favorite type of instructor as well, knowledgeable , organized and encouraging .  We have a small class of six women.  Many of them were new to tapestry but Sasha had them weaving with a completed sampler tonight.

Tomorrow, ikat dyeing!  Least you think it is all good food and giggles...we work hard here at Arrowmont.   See below!