The reason is that I will never be bored.!

I keep gaining new ideas. For example at a Leisure  Fair in Wantage I was asked how to do Waffle Weave. I did not know but came home and looked it up in a book and found it could be woven on the point twill threading on the demonstration loom I had at the Fair so I could try it with no effort. I had already decided the point twill threading was great as it can be used for basket weave and canvas weave as well as point twill. I have since woven a cushion cover on my eight shaft loom and plan to weave some cot blankets. 

How did I become obsessed with weaving?

My interest in weaving started in 1978 when my Mother bought a Rowan Frame Loom on a holiday in the Lake District.  She then did a course and became very involved in spinning, weaving and natural dyeing. She lent me the frame loom and I made one side of a bag.

The other side of the bag was made on her four shaft loom when I stayed with her at  Christmas. I was fascinated by the range of patterns that could be made with a weft faced weave and a simple threading. The bag was completed with  a strap woven on an inkle loom. I still use the bag and have only had to replace the strap

I did an evening course in Oxford for two years. The first year I made a tapestry sampler and fabric sampler and the second year my first rug. However, as a science teacher who did a lot of sailing and enjoyed gardening, I did not have much time to weave or spin except when I visited my Mother.

I took over my Mother’s Varpuru Rita floor loom when she died in 1989 and continued weaving a  cover for a garden chair using weft face twill which  she had started. (more about weft faced weaving)  While this was on the loom  I made a rug on a course with Martin Weatherhead near Cardigan. When I returned home I was able to complete the covers with tidier edges. I then wove some rugs using ideas I had taken from Martin. The next year I did another course with Martin when I Ikat dyed a warp and wove curtains.  www.snail-trail.co.uk for information on Martin's courses.

Martin taught me many basic techniques including his method of warping which I always use. This allowed me to develop my skills over a number of years by making  more rugs, as well as curtains, table mats, cushions and scarves.  I particularly enjoyed experimenting with overshot weaving. However, time was limited as I was working full time in London as a Civil Servant and had a large garden.   

In 2001 I bought a Louet 8 shaft table loom and did a week’s course with Riitta Sitkonnen Davies. As a result I had so many ideas that I decided that I must find more time by working part time.  My pictures are the main outcome of  Ritta's course but I have also enjoyed experimenting with double weave. Two days on weaving theory with Janet Phillips in 2002 helped me develop ideas.

Although I enjoy experimenting with weave structures, I also like working with colour. Plain or simple twill weaves are often the most effective way of using coloured yarns.  I love weaving with silk and so helped by a days dyeing with Janet, I started to dye my own yarns using acid dyes.  

Even if I limit myself to making scarves and pictures I have enough ideas to keep me  weaving for years. However, I also want to find time to weave some more cushion covers and some linen place mats using double weave

I have belonged to the Kennet Valley Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers for a number of years and joined the Berkshire Guild last year. Both provide great opportunities for sharing ideas.  I am also a member of the On-Line Guild. One of the pleasures of weaving is gaining ideas from other people. I particularly enjoyed helping a student to set up a loom to make an undulating twill runner. This gave me several ideas to develop further. 

Last updated 06/02/2006