First Hand Woven Item on 8 Shaft Loom

This is the first sample I made on my 8 shaft loom. It took me a while at the start to get used to how it works as it is a lot different to what i'm used to using at uni.  I experimented using a few different patterns such as twill, plain weave, wrapping pink raffia around the Ends(threads) and using raffia in the weft. I folded it in half joining it together then turned it inside out and attached a finger knotted piece of lace to add an elegant touch for the handle.

First Warp for Hand Loom!

I was extremely excited at the start of the summer holidays to receive a hand loom from one of my mums friends which I am very grateful for. 

I started doing calculations for warp ends and deciding what kind of draft I was going to do and how long I was going to make it.

I asked my mum first if I could hammer long nail pegs into the outbuilding door (she thought I was mental but agreed anyway). I created and measured a Warping Frame with 6 pegs on the left side and 5 pegs on the right creating 3 and a half Ls but not in the normal measurement as 1L (correct me if I am wrong?). My 1L measures roughly about half a metre.

After warping 320 Ends (threads from one cone), it was time to take it off (I hate this part with a passion as the fear of tangling all the threads and having to start again is not an exciting thought, I want to get weaving now). I took the threads into the back garden and tied the wooden stick at the back with wool and stretched them, as you can see bellow. Two bricks I found lying at the back of the garden helped stretch the threads whilst I untangled and spread them out. Remembering to measure 2" extra at the top (16") and then measuring the dimension of the fabric at the bottom (14"). 

After sorting and tidying the threads you pick it up and wrap it around the reed you are using. Which is a satisfying feeling (nearly there!). I loved the texture of the wool whilst wrapping it round the reed it felt so soft and cushiony.

The draft I used for threading through the heddles was a block draft; Shafts:1-4 x 20, Shafts: 4-8 x 40, Shafts 1-4 x 20. And then threading through the reed 2 Ends (threads) per dent. Time to weave now, woo!

Pictures of fabric I have made on this loom into purses and other items are coming soon!

KnitWeave Necklace

A necklace that is inspired by flowers and nature. Woven on my hand frame loom with knitted strands which i did on a domestic knitting machine. creating bold green and orange strikes with moments of colour space gives the manipulated knitted flowers room to breathe round the necklace. Joined together by a lovely wooden heart shaped button.

Autumn/Winter Bracelets

Woven Tweed base with hand felted flowers stitched on top.  

Raffia woven in the weft and cotton threads as the warp. Stitched on top of soft felt gives a contrast of soft and rough textures. Also the colour contrast makes this bracelet stand out.

Flower pendant bracelet with a woven strand manipulated and tied in the centre to resemble a flower. 

Farblinien Purse

Farblinien Purse. I call the purse this because it is the German translation for lines of colour. This is ultimately what the purse is all about at first glance. Complexity of lines broken up with colour and fragmented stripes, this makes the purse pleasing to the eye as the lines are not bold stripes it allows you to look into the design and see what it is all about: following the directions the purse takes you into.

I made this purse with a zip, which was not that easy to sew in. I broke my sewing machines needle twice, which was not very pleasant. After the second time i decided not to try it again and hand sew the zip in instead. Which will be stronger as the stitches tension is not too tight or too loose it will not break as easy; this adds to the homemade factor as well. Whilst I was sewing "The Great British Sewing Bee" judges were constantly in my head, talking about neat, even stitches and even tension. Therefor this purse is well stitched.

(Copyright © 2013 Hannah Bramall All Rights Reserved)

Mini I-pad Cover

 The process of making a mini i-pad cover. It took me about 30 minutes to come up with a design for putting all the pieces together and to iron and cut them. Then the sewing together stage starts.

A deep dark green felted fabric lining to protect the Mini I-pad whilst in your bag. A chocolate brown (back of case) fabric with a green spiral fabric flap for closing the case to keep it secure.

The woven fabric took me about a day to make (I did take breaks in-between). Overall I think this process is very worth it and the end result is home-made, origional and good quality.

(Copyright © 2013 Hannah Bramall All Rights Reserved)

R^3

(Copyright © 2012 Hannah Bramall All Rights Reserved)

R^3 = Reduce, Re-use, Recycle. This purse covers it. The yarns used for the warp were little strands. The fabric woven in-between is 2 shirts and some jean scraps of fabric I had lying around. It is very interesting how it held together quite well with a purple shirt lining on the inside. A good example of what you can make with fabric and yarns you hardly use.