CENTERING WITH FIBER: June 2014

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Saori weaver winds a warp and dresses the Saori wx60 loom

What I love about the Saori warping frame that differs from all the other brands of warping frames is this… the pegs slightly angle outwards, it has holders for yarn cones mounted right on the frame, it has two legs which allow it to lean against a wall or an optional stand which makes it adjustable for wheel chairs or sitting and winding a warp. the saori warping frame with two legs info here .
It has 5 hooks mounted on the frame and center peg cross configeration to allow you to warp 5 yarns at one pass WITH OUT USING A WARPING PADDLE!
This week Judy came for a two day intensive more saori santa cruz class info here to learn how to wind a warp, thread, beam on and how to use her Saori "inside set" when she gets back home. and other things too.

Here is Judy starting her warp at the Saori warping frame. But lets go back ….
First she was having fun choosing any of the many yarns I have in the studio wall of yarns for her warp ...

….and putting them into a gathering basket. I really stress letting go and not to think to much at this stage.

Then we went to the out door studio where all the looms and warping frame and equipment were waiting.

Before we started Judy showed me two scarves, her firsts,woven on her Saori loom back home…..

I just love to share brand new weavers first Saori weavings, how beautiful! Saori looms allow never before weavers to weave within minutes of sitting down at the loom.

JUST LOVELY!

Now back to winding a warp. With saori there is really no, or little, math to winding a warp. you need not to figure out how many yards per pound or same dye lots of cones. You chose your colors and textures and start winding! The pegs are spaced 39" apart or one meter , so it is easy to figure how many pegs you will need to use a scarf 2-3 pegs, Judy wants to weave and then sew some clothing so we chose 10-11 meters .

besides learning about the porry cross, Judy learned how to do 5 threads at a time with the saori warping frame too.

Eileen came to weave and joined us progressing on her warp.

Judy is done so she is learning how to chain off the warping frame

This is an amazing warp ! The colors are breath taking!

Time to thread using the saori cross protector/holder here and the saori THREADING HOLDER that holds the reed and the harness away from the loom so it is super easy on your back.

reed threaded, now time to thread the heddles.

we carried it over to the loom and are now beaming on the warp on the back beam.

we finished beaming on and now we can weave !

Judy is going to take her gorgeous warp home and put it on her loom at home. Saorisantacruz etsy shop "inside set "

Back up in the studio we took a bit to learn weaving "windows "and how to do shaped wefts .

then to look at the Saori clothing design books sewing red book, blue book, black book look here
Then to try on some of my finished pieces and muslins make notes and say good byes. Saori is more than weaving it is building freindships accross the miles. I have found a lovely new friend in Judy!

Peaceful weaving in the redwoods
Jill Nickolene www.saorisantacruz.com

The new Louet concept spinning wheel,Saori weaving student

Saori Santa Cruz studio recieved Dave and Pam Van Stralen of Louet North America for a visit this past week. Dave brought and set up the new Louet from Holland " Concept " full size spinning wheel in his suit case!
I carrry Louet Equipment and fibers and it was such a delight to meet the wonderful people I do business with in person!
Dave showed me how easy it is to assemble and set up the new louet" concept "wheel from his suitcase in my out door fiber studio.

From suitcase to wheel photos ( the concept wheel will have it's own optional bag/case)

Available December 2014 is the availability prediction

This prototype has the new wheel design option or you can choose from the classic single hole louet s10 design, or the Julia wheel design. double or single treadle, lazy kate or not etc.? What flyer you want so for example if you want to art yarn yarn flyer you do not have to buy the standard flyer. scotch tension, or Irish bobbin lead tension basicly you build your own wheel . It unscrews with quick large knobs to break it down if you want or need to. At some point if you want to change to a different tension system you buy just those components that you would need and switch it making it into a another wheel! Ingenious.

Pam and dave inside my studio at the gallery wall.

Thank you both for a great visit!
I have the louet classic S10 in my shop. still the most amazing wheel almost the same as the first one from holland 40 years ago! more info LOUET CLASSIC DT S10 WHEEL this classic s10 is available to ship now in stock.

My friend Brenda Expert and talented dyer and spinner here below with her 1978 classic s10 wheel last week at our summer solstice gathering. this his her favorite wheel the only one she uses for singles, all she has ever done was replace a drive band and a inexpensive foot man part. She swears by louet wheels. she has won awards all over the country for her exquisite yarns. you can find them here Pan's Garden yarns I agree with her I am a total lover of the louet wheels especially the S10 and the S17 unfinished kit wheel here they will never go out of style, and are sturdy and totally non fussy . you can put a art yarn flyer on it and ply and start to make expressive yarns in a minute ! no fussing!