Satins and study groups

The satins continue to be interesting.  I re-sleyed at 108 epi, wove samples in 8 and 12 shaft satin with a 60/2 silk weft, and then (just for kicks) tried an 8-shaft satin with a 140/2 silk as weft.

Results: the 8-shaft satin came out very nearly balanced at 108 epi, but still shinier on the weft side.  The 12-shaft, as expected, was still more lustrous on the weft side.  Both fabrics were WAY too dense to use in anything but a jacket or upholstery.  The fabric is almost twice as heavy as my jeans! but it is gorgeous.  I am tempted to weave myself a satin coat in pinstripes.

Speaking of which, I did indeed weave the pinstripe satin sample, and it is beautiful.  Narrow lines (about 1/8″ wide) of warp-dominant satin against slightly wider lines (1/4″ or so) of lustrous weft-dominant sateen.  I tried taking a photo but really couldn’t catch the play of light in it.  I think it’s almost prettier than a plain satin – it actually looks more lustrous because the contrast of textures accents the shine.

The 140/2 silk weft behaved more or less like I expected.  It is not as dense as the 60/2 silk weft (duh), has somewhat similar luster, and is more supple when bent parallel to the warp than when bent against it.  This is not rocket science, but it was good to have a sample to confirm my theories.  I feel like I have a better visceral understanding of it now.

I have also packaged up all 39 samples for the Complex Weavers Fine Threads Study Group and all 19 samples for the Complex Weavers Garment Study group.  I’d join more study groups but then I’d have to weave even MORE samples! so this will have to do for now.  I’m looking forward to getting the sample exchanges back in the mail.

And, finally, I have been running around like a maniac coordinating things with the Weavolution volunteers.  We are now up to 6-10 people working on Weavolution at any given time – and that doesn’t even count the Web development company doing the coding!  I won’t say exactly where we are in the grand scheme of things, but let’s just say that we will be announcing a launch date very soon….!  It’s very exciting, but also quite exhausting as I try to stay on top of our Web development schedule, triage bugs, plan new features, arrange for all the data to get in that needs to be there, get the help written, etc.  LOTS of etc.  Don’t try this at home, kids!  I’m a trained professional (why yes, I am a Web project manager 🙂 ) and it’s still a challenge.

But it is going well.  I am happy.