what if ?

what if #31: commuter weaving

what if i try weaving on the commuter train...?
tapestry bookmark.
wool and silk on linen warp
6" x 3/4" without fringe
made on bead loom 
small plastic fork beater
needle woven with tapestry needle
braided fringe
reversible kilim technique.(slit tapestry)
woven on a commuter train.
total: 3.5 hours

what if #49: ragged mandala

what if i stitch fabric with fabric? i suppose this what if was born out of need, after all, today i had my fabric and my scissor on that commuter train, how is it i forgot my thread? small fabric strips threaded through a large eye needle, fabric carefully perforated with a scissor.  fabric strips used like thread. in addition i pulled and recycled some thread from a printed strip of fabric and used it to stitch around the circle's edge. the print gave the thread a mottled appearance , instant variagated thread!
ragged mandala, 6" x 6", cotton on cotton velvet. the method has reminded me of sewing and its relationship with weaving.

what if #69: rag woven fabric

what if i warp a loom with fabric? frame loom warped with fabric strips and woven with fabric strips. 6 " wide, in process. cotton, linen and silk. ragged edge. study for woven patchwork applique.

to be continued.

what if #69: part 2-on loom quilting

this patchwork weaving trial (continued from) has gone well. stretching the strips on a frame (an old picture frame) holds everything in place nicely. as opposed to this method.i actually thought what if i just quilt it while it is still on the loom. it was very easy to handle and stabilize this way. this is a small piece, 6" x 12" , to be used as part of a lion applique over here, but i can think of many more things to do with this going forward.

after the piece was removed from the loom. it held together just fine without a backing. i am excited with the feel, the texture and the possibilities.

and there is a survey going on over on the other blog, in case you don't visit there.

what if #110: weaving patchwork

....i have often thought how weaving is based on a grid system and have taken inspiration from woven designs when designing patchwork. so i was asking myself what if  it is the other way around. weaving designs inspired by patchwork.
wool on cotton warp.  3" square.

what if #123: quilt weaving and shape reconstruction

what if i discharge a shape on two separte pieces and then tear them up and weave them back together?
the concept here is something ( but simplified) like double ikat. one piece is the warp, torn into verticle strips. the other is the weft, torn into horizontal strips.
indigo linen discharged with bleach
10" x 8"
pieced without stitching

what if # 145: double kantha dot

....as a continuation of the one color nine patch, all indigo in different weights and textures after asking what if its all the same color in concept but using different fabrics. and then what if i quilt the dot only. a freezer paper stencil was used as a guide to trace the circle shape border.. kantha style running stitch in both directions filled the circle. border removed for a softer edge, yes what if there was no hard edge? .
.... i like how the 2 directional stitching looks like ikat after the border was removed, how it has a woven feel. and the texture is more than marvelous. and the stitching is a reversible technique (looks the same on the back)
cotton and linen 1 1/34" indigo squares- hand pieced
2 strands dmc floss for stitching.
linen twill base