Back to Something Like Normal

Whew!  My entries for the National Creative Fibre Exhibition are not only in the post, they have arrived in Wellington. I always forget what a long involved process it is to remember . . . and find . . . and use . . . the sew-in labels necessary and the form filling and packaging. This time I was clever enough to fill in the packing slips at the same time as the entry forms, but it's still a hassle and takes ages.  In the bustle I forgot to take a photo of the length of fabric I sent, but here is a look at the linen I finished recently. I sent 2 pieces - one very long white one and a shorter natural-colour in  linen and cotton.

The napkins are still haunting me. Four more to hem . . . and then what do you do  with a dozen or so napkins with a threading error!  I did sell a couple at the Co-op shop in Picton but I have now finished my association with that in the meantime. It was well worth being involved but I'm not prepared to participate during the winter.

Today I cut off a red alpaca/silk wrap which I wove with a delicate lace pattern (3 thread huck rather than 5 thread). I'm dying to see it washed but need to finish  the ends first and it's a slow process. It's a good excuse to make the most of the last lovely sunny Indian summer days we are enjoying while I sit and fiddle with the fringes.

I'm back!

Two weeks spent with family and no loom gave me the opportunity to do most of the finishing work on the napkins.

It wasn't until I began ironing that I discovered a threading error!  Of course that means there is a flaw right through the lot. I didn't see it in the weaving as the small texture pattern doesn't really show up until it is washed.  Oh well, I now have a basket of 'slightly imperfect' napkins on 'special' in the co-op shop - and I still have my original cotton for (if there is a) next time. 

As well as hemming I enjoyed reviving my tatting skills. I found a shop with a supply of fine threads which of course meant adding some tiny little additions to my stash, so I will have to keep it up.

And then there was The Apron . . . no, it's not weaving but at least it's creative. (It started life as a tablecloth.) Happy mixed media workshop Esther!