Weaving Overshot With Tree Bark

Updated 2/21/16

Yes, I said tree bark. To see how I harvest and prepare the fiber for weaving, see my old post on making cordage with tree bark. The fiber I used came from a Tulip Tree sometimes called a Tulip Poplar. I have NEVER cut down a tree for its bark; Mother Nature knocks them down for me. This is how I usually find the bark.....

So, let's get started. 1st, you will need the tree bark. In this case it is the inner tree bark, not the hard outer bark.

 In order to weave with this fiber, it needs to be wet. I soaked mine in water and squeezed out the excess.

Now, to the loom. I used 8/2 linen for the warp and tabby weft. The tree bark was my pattern weft. 

I wove a few inches in plain weave and then began the overshot. I used the same pattern as my previous post; Periwinkle.

I chose a few pieces of bark that were roughly the same size and began laying the weft with the help of a stick shuttle.

I left the selvedge in its natural state to illustrate that I used individual pieces of bark. I made sure to use floating selvedges and took care that the tabby weft locked in the bark pattern weft, as shown above. 

Here is a closeup of the weaving on the loom (still damp at this stage)

Here it is off the loom and dry...

This was my 1st attempt at using bark for  weaving. My brain is spinning from the possibilities. You could use cordage made from the bark as weft for a sturdy rug. I've spun the bark on a drop spindle before so you could go that route as well. I think there may be a handwoven tree bark rug in my future ;)

Happy Weaving!

Happy New Year!!!

In the last year, I've been overwhelmed to see the progress of my little blog. It's humbling to know that people all over the world take the time to look at the things I make. My love for crafting is something that I have had since I was a little kid. I was lucky enough to have a crafty grandmother who shared her secrets and a mother who had the foresight to save everything so I can see now how far I've really come. 

As I start a new year, and quickly try to finish off my last warp, I wanted to thank each and every one of you for stopping by. As my journey through the world of fiber arts continues, it's nice to know that there are others out there who take interest in that journey. I thoroughly enjoy sharing my mistakes because I truly feel that you do not learn unless you make them and grow from them. 

I look forward to sharing more fun things in the coming year. Stay tuned for upholstery and an in depth look at doubleweave, both on the 4 shaft & rigid heddle looms as well as lots & lots of more overshot ;)

May this new year bring you peace, love and joy! 

Thank You & Happy Crafting,

Lynette

Maltese Cross Overshot

Now that I am obsessed with overshot, I thought I'd share my latest endeavor; Maltese Cross.

Here is the draft......

I warped 205 ends of 3/2 pearl cotton at 10 epi. I used the cotton for the tabby weft and Kauni yarn for pattern weft.

I've got to work on a more even beat, but all in all, I'm really happy with it. 

Happy Weaving!

Adventures in Overshot - Take 2

My last post, Adventures in Overshot-take 1, was started last month when this idea was in its infancy. When I posted it yesterday, it was dated 11/1 so you may need to go back to see what I'm talking about. Anyway, when I left off, I was 1/2 way through threading. I've since woven a piece that came off the loom at 17" x 45". Pretty good for a 1st real attempt at overshot, but far from perfect. 

I had to beat so hard that I moved the loom halfway across the room and it still wasn't square. My beat was also not even. After a trip to the yarn store to get some input (Twist Knitting & Spinning in Lahaska, PA) we deduced that my sett was way too tight at 15 epi. I re-sleyed the warp at 10 epi. 

That added about 7 inches in width. I'm still using a firm beat, but not nearly as hard as before. 

I realized, while weaving the 1st piece, that I had a missing thread. Before I re-sleyed the reed, I added a string heddle and the missing warp thread. 

It's looking nice and even. I'm now using Cascade 220 as pattern weft. It looks good now so I'm hoping that wet finishing will full the wool a bit and then it will look great! 

I'm always one to see how many completely different pieces I can get off one warp so this afternoon I'm going to finish off the warp in Monk's belt. 

Happy Weaving!

Adventures in Overshot - Take 1

I have always admired overshot weaving. Growing up in Bucks County, PA, a place rich with Colonial history, you can see fabulous examples of overshot all over the place. 

My 4 shaft loom was de-accessioned from the Holcombe/Jimison Farmstead Museum in Lambertville, NJ. I promised them that I would make them a period correct woven piece to go in the ca. 1750's home in the property. Overshot is the obvious choice. The only caveat.....I've never woven overshot before. 

Always one to bite off more than I can chew, I found an overshot pattern by John Landes, a weaver of the late 18th century. I can do this, I told myself. 

Here is the original pattern:

I decided that, before tackling this 18th century challenge, I would thread a sample piece to experiment with overshot.

I am using an Orange Peel overshot pattern.

This piece will have 3/2 black pearl cotton as warp and tabby weft. I am going to use Kauni wool as pattern weft. I also have some Pima cotton for pattern weft. I am interested to see how the different colors will interact with the black.

I think I am starting to understand this block weaving thing. I had 4 extra threads when I got to the center of the loom and I knew I had counted my threads and dents very carefully. I instantly thought, I must've skipped a block. So now I'm thinking in overshot 😉

Well, I'm 1/2 done with the threading and now I remember why I haven't done a black warp in a while. Aaaahhhhhh!

Happy Weaving!