Laundry Day

July is the month we usually get serious about fall scarf production. We've collected orders from shops and galleries since February, entered the data in our computer system, and printed out inventory reports specifying how many of each style is needed by each account and by when. In the "old" days (80's and very early 90's) I would chart the orders on huge pieces of graph paper.... I'm so glad the computer compiles all this data for us effortlessly now...so we can concentrate on designing and weaving!

After the warps come off the loom, we launder them to give them a lived-in softness. Here they're drying on our railing on a breezy July day. When dry, the long warps will be cut into individual scarves, steam-pressed, sewn, unfringed, labeled, then boxed up and sent to specialty shops around the country.

Late Fall at the Studio

Pile of cut scarves ready for hemming. We use a vintage straight stitcher made by Singer in the 60's, not a fancy machine but a real workhorse!

Laundered warps hanging out to dry. We've had a mild winter and the ramp railings provide a good clothesline.

Here is one of our latest scarves- vibrant colors for fall and winter.
This one would look gorgeous on camel, grey, black, or navy coat. Magenta and topaz checks woven with a little bit of citron green.
In soft drapey rayon chenille.

New Year in New York!

A roll of rayon chenille plaid scarf warp fresh off the loom. After the roll is laundered, it's cut and sewn into several scarves. This one will brighten up a dark winter day!

Three different weaves in three different fibers- merino/tencel, alpaca, and bamboo.

We started our new year designing samples for the New York Gift show which opened the end of January. Jeri, Morgan, and I wove warp after warp, changing fills for each new colorway, experimenting with a new merino/tencel yarn, and playing with pattern formats and sizes. It was a challenge to produce several new scarf lines in a month. Here's one collection at the show featuring parts of 3 different collections all in bamboo fiber.