Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Weekend weaving and a broken machine

Setting up my loom is fascinating to me.  I love the process.  I love how the yarn looks all stretched out before the loom is ready to be warped.  The shapes and angles are intriguing.  I love walking around the loom and observing the process from every angle.





There is something very meditative about warping a loom.  Grab the yarn over the back rod, pull through the slot in the heddle, walk to the peg and loop the yarn around and repeat, over and over again.  Watching the yarn grow and grow is mesmerizing. My husband wants you to know he did help hold all the threads taunt as I wound them onto the back roller.  He did his part!



Threading every other piece of yarn through the little hole in the heddle, grabbing a section of ends to tie them onto the warp stick.  It all is a simple process but is fascinating to see.


And just like with knitting or crochet, watching yarn become fabric is captivating. The process of starting out with a simple piece of yarn and watching it morph into something entirely different never gets old.


If you are wondering how I found the time to get all this done, well it is because my faithful Kenmore sewing machine decided to break just as I was going to start sewing on Sunday afternoon.  This baby is 25 years old, a gift from my husband who was not yet my husband at that time. It has yellowed but still works, well almost that is.

See that hole?  That is where the little metal thingy that holds the thread is supposed to be.  I went to place my thread on it and it decided to slip right into my machine.  Well that put a quick stop to my nap time sewing marathon.

My serger, also a gift from hubby about 24 years ago, is also in need of a tune-up. Only three of the four thread positions are working.  I have managed with it like this for sometime, but now it needs to go into the shop for a repair. 

So off to the shop I will be going today while my husband takes Little Buddy to physical therapy.  He is getting the hang of his new posterior walker.  I will post a picture of him soon.  

Hope you are having a wonderful day.

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow! You got good time out of both of those machines.

My New Home sewing machine is over 40 years old and still works great. It's a very simple sewing machine, but really it's all I need. I don't sew much. But when I do ...I'm happy to have it.

Hope yours come back all healthy and refreshed.

Kris said...

Oh wow, I am catching up, and see that you have been producing some great stuff!!! That loom amazes me! How on earth did you ever even figure it out? I love the tea towel bag!!! DARLING! And the machine....or should I say machines....being broken...oh I would cry! If you were near me, I would gladly lend you one of my extras!!!!! Hope they are out of the doctor's office soon, and you will be whipping up some pretty things soon. Oh, and cn't wait to see more pics of Little Buddy!!!!
XO Kris

kathyinozarks said...

I really enjoy the entire process of weaving too-and I have started back on my shawl again too-you may be ready to step up to a small floor room-the one I use I bought back in 1978 in Colorado-it is a 30" loom that has served me well-with four harnesses instead of the two on your loom. looms are so costly new-so when you are ready look for a used one-hugs

Pammy Sue said...

Having a new obsession is always fun. It seems there is never enough time to devote to it. Love that purple yarn! I really like the green scarf in your last post too. What a pretty color.

I am not a sewer, but I have a barely-used Kenmore sewing machine and cabinet that hubby bought at a garage sale for $75 a couple of years ago. A couple had bought it for their daughter as a graduation gift, and she never really learned to use it. It had been sitting in her old bedroom and they finally decided to sell it. I still have never tried to use it. Hope you get yours back good as new!

Vera said...

Oh your weaving looks like so much fun...but I need to not be tempted!! I think the older Kenmore machines are some of the best. Mine has got to be 30+ years old and still works like a dream. Good luck with your repairs.

Betsy said...

I have never understood weaving, although it facinates me and I think it's beautiful. That purple yarn is gorgeous-my favorite color! :-). My Hubby also bought me my Kenmore sewing machine for our first anniversary. We'll be celebrating 36 years in September and it still works like a dream.
Have fun with your new toy Merdith. (Although I don't need to tell you that. It looks like you already are.)
Blessings,
Betsy

Betsy said...

I have never understood weaving, although it facinates me and I think it's beautiful. That purple yarn is gorgeous-my favorite color! :-). My Hubby also bought me my Kenmore sewing machine for our first anniversary. We'll be celebrating 36 years in September and it still works like a dream.
Have fun with your new toy Merdith. (Although I don't need to tell you that. It looks like you already are.)
Blessings,
Betsy

20 North Ora said...

Oh, that looks complicated! Can't wait to see it finished.

Judy

Teresa Kasner said...

I see that you were wooed by sewing machines and not diamonds, rubies and emeralds. :-) You must have a smart hubby! How nice of him to help with the warping of the loom and taking Little Buddy to therapy while you have some "me" time. Maybe it's time for a brand new machine? OR... a very vintage one? ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

linda said...

I can see where the fascination lies Meredith, there is something so neat and organised about it all, I love your yarn such a lovely colour. I they manage to repair your machine like new because the new ones are not half as strong as the old ones were.

busybusybeejay said...

That weaving looks fun but a lot of work.Is that a mandala I spotted on the table?On its way to Yarndale ,maybe?Barbarax

RedSetter said...

Wow, you are really getting into your weaving. I love finding something like this that seems all consuming. I'm also impressed with your long lived sewing machines which sound like they are quite justified in demanding a rest and some tlc before working again.

Take care,

kathy b said...

Great that Little Buddy's new papa is taking him for some therapy!! You have a wonderful family!
Love the purple weave

Clare said...

The weaving looks amazing fun, hope you are sewing again soon x
Clare xx

yarn and pencil said...

My dad helps my mum warp up too. There is a picture of one of my mum's creations on my second to last post :-) I have a little table loom but the hedge went rust in storage. It's lovely to see you enjoying it so much.
Love Tracey xx

Between Me and You said...

Catching up. You've been a busy little bee! Gorgeous shade of purple and another fabulous project in the making, I have no doubt. What a coincidence, I have dusted down my old sewing machine too but the spool holder is also broken so I chopped an old plastic crochet hook in half, stuck it in the hole and put my spool of thread on top. Not perfect but hey presto,does the job in the meantime and my old Singer sewing machine (which I couldn't possibly part with but may have to at some point)is back in action! On my second dress this week. Much love to Little Buddy. xxx

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

Oh I am looking forward to seeing what you make!

((hugs))

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

I can't seem to understand how the loom works, silly me! I think I would need to see it in action maybe. What is warping? I best check out a video. But I do love what you have done, the loom is really pretty too. To bad about your faithful Kenmore.......the new machine now are so pricey but they do everything and probably somethings you don't even want or need!
Enjoy your time, sweet Hb!
xoRobin

Mrs. C said...

Sorry, but I had to laugh when you said the metal thingy dropped right into the machine! That's something that would happen to me! I keep debating a new sewing machine.... The little orange thingy that shows me what stitch I'm using broke last summer, it just vanished while I was turning the knob and changing stitches! Now I have to count when I turn the knob so I know what stitch I'm on! :)

My Garden Diaries said...

You are so right....there is something so beautiful about the way yarn looks on a loom. It is a craft that I have always admired for the reasons you listed! But I would have no idea how to set one up these days! Enjoy your weaving and I am happy to hear that Little Buddy is doing well with his walker! happy week to you!!! Nicole xoxo

byhooks4u said...

I had a sewing machine just like that. It did the same thing!!! I found it was cheaper to replace than to repair..such a throw away society we have become. I would love to see what you make with your weaving..love the color

Judy S. said...

I can't wait to see how this scarf turns out! Sorry about your sewing machines and hope they get fixed real quick, but then you'd have to stop weaving, right?

Gracie Saylor said...

Thanks for the photos and narrative about warping your loom...somehow you convince me that it is a process that can bring one joy :) even though it seems overwhelming to me.

It was lovely of your husband to provide you with the sewing machines, help in the warping of the loom, and providing positive Father-Son time with LB.

I am happy for you, Meredith! :) xx

Caffeine Girl said...

Both weaving and sewing take more patience than I have! Though I love the projects you can make, it's just as well that there are a few crafts I'm not diving into.

Sewing machines are amazing little machines. Few things these day last for a quarter of a century!

elns said...

I love the photos of your loom/livingroom weaving. fun times. I hope your machines rejuvenate for many projects to come.

CJ said...

Your husband sounds like quite a star, holding threads and taking Little Buddy out to his appointment. You look as though you're getting the hang of this weaving malarkey, well done you. I must say, the sigh of your pool through the window looks really inviting. Enjoy the rest of the week Meredith. CJ xx

Carla from The River said...

Your photos of the weaving project are amazing. I love the color.
Hope all gets fixed soon.
I know how nice it is to have something last so long.
And it is full of memories too.
xx oo
Carla

Babajeza said...

Hopefully, they can mend the machines. Your loom looks beautiful.

Tammy said...

You make it sound so simple and it looks oh so complicated to me. I love that you are enjoying your loom so much. Best wishes, Tammy