Welcome to my blog. I am so happy to be hosting TGIFF again on my blog. please linkup your recent finishes, WIP or any blog post you want to share.
The Island Batik challenge for June is Try It! We are challenged to try something new. There are so many things I want to try – a cathedral windows quilt, fabric weaving, reverse applique, a bag/purse pattern, curved piecing, etc.. My initial plan was to make a couple of pillows for the living room using the cathedral windows pattern. But after I saw a demo of fabric weaving at my guild (checkout the IG feed for Houstom MQG), I was hooked. We got our Wefty Needles at the June meeting, and I was on my way to try fabric weaving.
The fabric for this project was given by Island Batik, the batting by Hobbs batting and the thread was given by Aurifil threads as part of the Island Batik Ambassador program.
I looked at a million pictures on Pinterest and Google and watched a couple of videos – most notably a series of YouTube videos by Mister Domestic. I picked a pattern that was simple but looked interesting. This has just two axes of weaving as opposed to the more complicated tri-axial weaving patterns. In addition to the patterns that show up when you search for fabric weaving, many traditional weaving patterns can be adapted to this techniques. There are endless possibilities to play with.
It was a Sunday evening, and most shops were closed, and all I could find at home was this beat-up foam board. I think someone must’ve used this for target practice with Nerf guns but it was enough for my first try at weaving.
I used 1/2″ folded strips of black and 1″ folded strips of three different batiks – yellow, blue, turquoise. The first step was to mark a grid on the foam board. I drew a 3″ grid though the strips are smaller. The grid is just a guide to make sure the strips are laying straight. I first laid out the strips in order.
Then comes the fun part – weaving with the Wefty needle. The strips are carefully placed and woven in order. This is a very simple pattern, so after a couple of tries, I got into the rhythm.
When the weaving was all done, I layered it with a thin Hobbs batting called Thermore, and a backing. I used some decorative stitches on my sewing machines to sew along the black strips using an Aurifil 40 wt thread in blue violet. Fabric weaving normally does not need quilting. You just iron it on a light-weight interfacing and sew the outer edges. I think quilting or sewing a decorative stitch adds a nice look, and in person, this piece has a nice dimensional look with the blue and yellow strips raising above the black.
Beautiful ♥ ♥
It’s beautiful quilt!!! Thank you so much for the Youtube Link!!! I learned this a few years ago and have not removed it from the board since I don’t have any idea how LOL.
Pretty! I love your colors! You can see the texture even from afar. I want to run my hand over it!
It turned out so beautifully! I love the addition of the decorative stitches 🙂 Thanks for hosting this week.
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I love your color selections! and fabric weaving–so pretty!
Hi Vasudha! I didn’t know you ever hosted a linky party?!! Your weaving project is just fab. This has been on my list of things to try as well. It reminds me of macrame back in the day. I love the addition of the decorative stitches – I think it gives it fun dimension as well as some interest on the back. ~smile~ Roseanne
It is just fabulous Vasudha! Love the colours and the pattern…I may need to try this…
PS Nerf guns practice LOL. And thank you for hosting TGIFF! And I love the new look of your blog!
This is awesome. Well done!! I’ve been wanting to try this, and I just ordered this week — found a Canadian company.
Great job on trying something new! I love the design you woven–looks very intricate, thanks to the color arrangements.
Love it….maybe I will try this one day?
Well, that looks like a lot of fun! Your colors are gorgeous.
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Sorry I don’t have a finish this week. Great job on the weaving – I love this pattern too. What size did it finish at? I love the colors and the pattern – nice job. Great minds do think alike!
Your woven quilt is sharp and lovely. Your color choices are fabulous. The dimensional effect is clearly visible in the pictures but makes me want to reach out and touch 🙂
Looks like you had a fun time creating this – it’s quite striking!
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Like everyone else, I just love the colors you chose! Excellent touch of creativity on the stitching – made a beautiful piece extra special.
Another Ambassador tried fabric weaving this month too, and now with your post I’m convinced I have to give this a try! So beautiful! Thanks for linking up to Wednesday Wait Loss.