Designing new samples

In preparation for our trade show at New York Gift next month, I'm designing a couple new style scarves for fall. Here are some process shots showing multiple colorways side by side to work out warp and fill formats and colors on smaller size swatches before weaving full-size scarf samples. This is the kind of creative work that I wish I had more time for....it's so much fun to play with color and switch out yarns to get  unusual color crossings. After the swatch blanket is complete, we all examine it and decide which swatches work best to make up the new collection.

Scarf swatch blanket- 3 colorways side by side, changing some of the warp colors

Arranging cones at the warping board for sample swatch blanket

View from the lease pegs of the warping board looking down at yarn cones- 4 colorways warped side by side

Scarf swatch blanket with 4 colorways side by side. This weave has 2 different colored fills so many times the crossings (weft or fill colors that are different than the warp colors)are more interesting than the true fills(fill colors that are the same as the warp colors)

Summer 2013

For the first time since we opened our shop in Saratoga, we offered weaving lessons. Students were able to choose their own projects and materials, based on previous experience. They produced scarves, table runners and mats, a small throw, and fabric yardage- impressive! We taught students each process from warping to dressing a loom, weaving and finishing. As one of our students exclaimed at the end of her session, " I will never look at fabric the same way again!"

Fall production for our retail shows and our wholesale accounts is in full swing. Here is a listing of the shows we will be exhibiting at this fall. We will keep our shop open normal hours as well. Hope to see you this fall in our booth at a show near you or at the shop wrapping up in our handwoven clothing!

Show Schedule Fall 2013

August 9-11 Berkshire Craft Fair

 Monument Mt H’School,  Route 7

Great Barrington MA

www.berkshirecraftsfair.org

August 17-20 New York Now

(To the Trade Only- NY Gift Fair)

Jacob Javits Center,  NYC NY

www.nynow.com

October 4-6  Hudson Valley  Arts Festival

Dutchess County Fairgrounds, Route 9

Rhinebeck NY

www.artrider.com

October 25-27 Smithsonian Craft 2 Wear

National Building Museum

401 F St NW, Washington DC

www.craft2wear.smithsonian.org

November 1-3  Fine Craft Show

Memorial Art Gallery, 500 Univ.  Ave

Univ of Rochester  Rochester NY

mag.rochester.edu/events/fine-craft-show

November 21-24 Hudson Mohawk Weavers Guild

Pruyn House, 207 Old Niskayuna Road 

Newtonville NY

www.hudsonmohawkweaversguild.com/showandsale

December 6-8 Craft Boston

Hynes Convention Center

900 Boylston St,  Boston MA
www.societyofcrafts.org/cbholiday/holidayinfo.asp

December 13-15 Crafts at Morristown

Western Ave Armory

Morristown NJ

http://www.artrider.com

Design Mode January 2013

Here is a pile of scarves being "unfringed."  The roll has been woven as long yardage, then cut and sewn into individual scarves. To make the decorative fringe at the bottom, the weft yarn is pulled out or unwoven for a couple inches till it's caught in the stitches.                                                                          


Here's our new line of bamboo stripes in multi-pattern weaves that form stripes of leno, an open-stitch weave and herringbone, a pointed twill weave. Bamboo fiber takes dye very well and we love the radiance of these stripes.                                                                          

We always strive to be a zero-waste studio, and it's always fun to come up with new products using our handwoven "scraps." These are a series of kits assembled and ready to be sewn into pouch bags.
We have 2 fine craft shows coming up soon. The first is the American Craft Council show in Baltimore which takes place February 20-24. The first 2 days are wholesale to the trade only and the weekend is open to the public. Visit craftcouncil.org/baltimore for more info.
March 22-24 will find us at the Paradise City Arts Show in Marlborough MA at the Royal Plaza Trade Center. Visit paradisecityarts.com for more info.