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You are here: Home / All blog posts / Planning phoenixes
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September 28, 2012 by Tien Chiu

Planning phoenixes

My to-do list continues to be incredibly long, but I’ve decided that if I follow my entire to-do list, I’ll never get to weaving, so I’m bumping the Phoenix Rising samples to the front of the line. So I spent this morning planning out the samples – it’s quite complex since there are two warps and the weft to deal with, and of course all three have to be dyed.  The two warps will have to be painted (separately) for each of seven samples, and the weft needs to be dyed in two solid colors plus one knitted-blank gradient.  I also have to remember how to warp back to front, so I can beam on one of the painted warps.  (The other will be hung over a trapeze to accommodate the different take-ups.)

It is actually (believe it or not!) a bit more complicated than that, as some of the samples will require precision weaving.  Which means weaving and then un-weaving an inch or two so I can get an accurate idea of the amount of weft needed per inch of warp, the take-up on each warp, etc.  It’s very fiddly and tedious but has to be done if I want those glorious warp-and-weft color gradients!

So I am carefully picking my way through the logistical labyrinth of setting up the samples.  I’m hoping to finish my calculations and process walkthrough today, so I can start winding the warps tomorrow.

Meanwhile, my class on three-dimensional design has started.  I’m not too impressed so far – we’ve basically been thrown in and told to make a wire sculpture without getting any instruction on design principles.  But I figure I can also treat it as a self-study class.  So I’m going to read up on lines in three-dimensional design and try to practice the principles myself, as I design my wire sculpture project.  It’s due October 16, so I’ll have at least one or two weekends to work on it.  I’ve already got a really interesting idea, but it’s completely impossible to describe, so I’m going to start by building a prototype.  Hopefully I can complete the prototype this weekend.

Slate for this weekend:

  • Help a friend pack
  • Start writing the book chapter about getting from ideas to designs
  • Wind and dye the Phoenix Rising warps
  • Prototype my three-dimensional wire sculpture
  • Experiment with chocolate flavors
  • Can a bunch of tomatoes

That is a pretty ambitious slate, and I will likely have to drop at least one or two of them.  Which ones?  Ah, now that’s the question, isn’t it?  Stay tuned to find out!

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Filed Under: All blog posts, textiles, weaving Tagged With: phoenix rising

Previous post: A car full of chocolate
Next post: Warping frustration; book update

Comments

  1. Pirkko Karvonen says

    September 28, 2012 at 10:38 am

    Greetings from Finland. >It is wonderful to be young and have all the energy  for planning and weaving. All the best in your weaving.

  2. Bonnieinouye says

    September 28, 2012 at 2:33 pm

    The difference in take-up between the two layers of warp is not all that great with a turned tied weave. I find it easiest to wind both layers on one warp beam, adding a bar to one layer if or when needed. With each layer on a separate set of shafts, it is easy to separate them any time. 

  3. HelzHart says

    September 28, 2012 at 2:47 pm

    You are an inspiration Tien.  And making lists is good.  What a wonderful friend you are, and canner of tomatoes (wow).  Love your work.

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