Practice Project 1

Making a paper weave

Step #1

Start with two 5"x5" pieces of contrasting color construction paper. Make sure each piece is the exact same size. Draw a line at the top of the first piece of paper to form the header. Draw it 1/4" from the top.

 

Header

 

 

Step #2

Draw lines 1/4" apart from the header to the bottom of the paper. Use a ruler to make sure that all of the are parallel. These lines (strands) are called the warp. Use scissors to cut the warp to the header. Stop exactly on the header.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step #3

Get a second piece of paper that is the same size but a different color. Draw line 1/4" apart from the right to the left of the paper. Use a ruler to make sure that all of the are parallel. These lines (strands) are called the weft. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step #4

Cut the weft pieces one at a time and weave them into the warp strands. Use a plain weaving technique (over one under one). Push the weft strands down tight to the header. Repeat until all of the weft strands are woven in to the warp. You should only have two weft pieces left over. Push the weft strands down tight and glue the edges together. The strands should be very tightly woven. Make sure that the weft reaches each end of the warp paper. Try to keep the paper square. The warp will tend bow out.

 

 

 

 

 

Practice Project 2

Making a picture weave.

The picture weave is done just like the paper weave. Select two photos from a magazine, the internet or your personal photos. The minimum size is 6"x8". Make sure the pictures are exactly the same size. Cut one down if you must. Draw the lines for the warp and the weft on the back of the picture. When you are done, no lines will be visible because they will be on the back. Look for pictures with big objects on them. Don't use pictures with a lot of small details.

 

Remember to keep the warp and weft strands tight and the sides square!

 

Step #1

Step #2

 

PowerPoint Presentations:

Parviz Tanavoli & How To Fiber Weave

Links:

Photos of Tanavoli's Weaving

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weaving

Weaving with paper and yarn

 

 

 

Artist Profile

Parviz Tanavoli

Parviz Tanavoli Presentation

Website

 

 

Objective:

To a develop basic knowledge and gain experience with weaving. Students will produce a simple weaving project and will be able to discuss the basic vocabulary of weaving.

This project is a practical introduction to textile weaving for students or anyone with no weaving experience.

 

Supplies:

Pencil, ruler, construction paper, scissors, glue, and eraser.

 

Terms:

weaving - The interlacing of long, thin materials, such as yarn or thread to make cloth (fabric) or baskets. Also see costume, fiber, tapestry, textile, warp, weft, and wove paper.

 

weft - The threads or strands of yarn that are woven over and under the warp threads to make a weaving. A less commonly used equivalent term is woof.

 

warp - In weaving, the vertical threads attached to the top and bottom of a loom, through which the weft is woven.

 

loom - An apparatus for producing textiles, rugs, blankets, wall hangings, etc., by weaving thread or yarn into cloth. Also see fabric and fiber.

 

 

Target skills:

Craftsmanship

Developing better dexterity

Patience

Measuring skills

Using a strait edge

Cutting skills

 

Rubric: Microsoft Word format

 

 

Main Project: Fiber Weave

Directions:

The fiber weave is made just like the paper weave and the picture weave. You use the same techniques, (over and under). With the fiber weave, you can try different techniques to make your weave look neater.

Fiber Weave Techniques

 

Chain Stitch

Secures the warp threads so they don't pull out. Always begin and end the weaving with a chain stitch. Can also be used to evenly space warp threads if they get bunched together.

 

Tabby (plain) Weave

Over 1, under 1. (Does not matter if you start over or under.) The bubble in this diagram demonstrates how to keep the selvedges straight.

 

             

 

Basket Weave

Over 2, under 2. (Does not matter if you start over or under.) Use a double strand of weft.

 

Twining

Creates two-color diagonal stripes or zigzags. Start with a row of tabby, then twine the second color around it, alternating the over/under. Use a 6" needle for color A, and a 3" needle for color B. Reverse the direction of the pattern by changing the direction from which you twine color B. In the diagram, the needle is shown coming from above color A. On the next shot, bring the needle up from below color A to reverse the pattern.

 

  

Requirements & Tips:

Avoid buying yarns in pull skeins or in bulk lots. Pull skeins can get quite tangled in the middle. With bulk lots, you may end up with four cones of a color no one else ever wanted. Have a system for dispensing yarn in a tangle-free manner. Pre-cut the lengths of warp for the first assignment before beginning.

Examples: