Tag Archives: Mirrix loom

September 26, 2012 · 1:45 pm

Embroidering Leno Lace

I am passionate about lace and lace making.

I love to tat, crochet and knit lace.

And, recently, I have been experimenting with weaving lace.

Well… weaving leno lace and then embroidering it…..

This was my first attempt, and to be honest, it’s wonky and woobley and ‘real weavers’ would consider it to be a messy failure.

But, I really learned a lot while I was working on it- and am intrigued and intend to keep working with this technique.

By the way, this was woven on my 16 inch Mirrix loom, with loom extenders attached.

When I was warping up for my second embroidered Leno lace scarf, I made a video about the things I figured out while warping with loom extenders:

I got so overwhelmed with all the work for the Soumak Weave Along that I didn’t have time to do much more with the embroidered leno lace.

I needed my 16 inch loom for a tapestry, so I wove off the blue scarf to get it off the loom, and will be doing the embroidery with the scarf being off loom.

I am pleased with the progress I have made with the embroidery, and look forward to doing more of this technique.

I love scarves and wear them year round.

Leno lace scarves are light enough to be comfortable even in the summer, especially in the evening.

I haven’t had a chance to wash and block this one yet, so it’s not as nice as it will be.

I am planning on working a twisted cord with beads on it for the fringes.

Leno lace is so wonderful and has so much design potential that I intend to continue experimenting with it!

6 Comments

Filed under weaving & handwoven, Loom & looms & small loom weaving

Tagged as Noreen Crone-Findlay, clothing, Mirrix loom, fashion, Leno Lace, embroidering Leno lace, woven lace, weaving lace

September 9, 2012 · 1:19 am

Soumak Pouch Weave Along – Part 3 – Warping the Looms

Today’s installment of the Soumak Pouch Weave Along is a video tutorial about warping the looms for the ‘no warp ends’ technique that will be the foundation of the Soumak Pouches.

There are a number of hints and tips that I have found that make warping for the pouches much quicker and easier.

The video shows how to warp the 8 inch and 12 inch Mirrix looms, using ‘s’ hooks.

The Mini (5 inch loom) is warped using the ‘no warp ends’ kit from Mirrix.

The looms are almost gift wrapped after warping!

Really? Yes

I have found that using ribbons to tie around the ‘s’ hooks on the lower edge of the 8 inch, 12 inch or larger Mirrix looms keeps the weft yarn from getting snagged on the hooks while weaving.

And, the Mini wears little babushkas or headscarves!

Yep. I tie bias tape or ribbon around the ends to cover the paper clips and keep them from snagging on clothing and to protect them.

I know it may seem odd, but it makes the weaving go more smoothly.

And, having the weaving be a joy is really important

Here’s the video that shows how the warping is done for the Weave Along:

6 Comments

Filed under Loom & looms & small loom weaving, tutorial & how to, weaving & handwoven

Tagged as bags, hand weaving, handwoven, how to weave soumak, Mirrix loom, Noreen Crone-Findlay, pouches, Soumak pouch weave along, textiles

September 8, 2012 · 1:29 pm

Have loom and guitar will travel

When a weaver and a musician go on holidays, what do they take with them?

Their dogs, of course!

But of course, they never leave home without a guitar

Or, a loom:

I was weaviing away on this pouch while we were away:

So, I took advantage of the gorgeous scenery to photograph the step by step photos of weaving the pouch:

Mini has her own wee suitcase which she snuggles very happily into, along with all the bits and pieces needed for the weaving.

(It began life as a case for a drill that lives in a toolbox, so Jim gave the un-used case to me and I love it for Ms Mini!)

When we are on holidays, I tend to photograph the smaller things, like lichens:

and flowers (ahem… the wind was crazy, so trying to get the flower to sit still was a lost cause)

and small looms on beautiful stony beaches:

and the patterns in tree roots:

and shadows:

and gorgeous driftwood:

and the patterns in nature:

and small dogs having great adventures … (Yikes! Wolves ATE a dog here? eegads!)

Speaking of wild animals, last year when we went to Jasper (in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada), we saw 13 bears!

This year, we only saw one:

But we did see one VERY thrilling wild animal- the first time I have ever seen a wild mountain goat, in fact:

It was rainy, windy and cold for the entire time we were there, which made perfect weather for weaving and making music

But then, as far as I am concerned, ANY weather is perfect for weaving and making music

I hope that you had a lovely summer and that the sun shone upon you, and music swirled around you and that the yarn was sweet in your hands!

10 Comments

Filed under weaving & handwoven, Loom & looms & small loom weaving

Tagged as weaving, Mirrix loom, traveling with small looms, music, Mini loom, vacation, travel, stony beaches, gorgeous scenery

August 24, 2012 · 10:25 am

Furoshiki wrap technique to carry a small loom

I rarely leave home without a small loom.

If I am the passenger in a car, I weave.

If I have to wait for an appointment, I weave.

When in an airport or flying…. I weave.

If I am sitting, listening to my husband’s Jazz trio/quartette/quintette, I weave.

I like to be able to to port along my small looms in tote bags, backpacks or baskets.

But…. the warp strands and bobbins and needles can get seriously disarranged by being jostled in transit.

I have been mulling over the best way of protecting them while they are being trundled about…. and then it struck me….

By using the Japanese technique of creating perfect wraps and carriers from a scarf or cloth! :

FUROSHIKI (link to a ton of ways of doing furoshiki wraps)

3 Mirrix looms wrapped with Furoshiki techniques
copyright Noreen Crone-Findlay

I always carry headscarves in my purse or bag, to use as instant tote bags.

The other day, it struck me that the perfect way to protect my beloved small looms when I am slipping them into bags or baskets for their travels, is to ‘Furoshiki’ them.

It works BRILLIANTLY!

I usually use square headscarves- and any size will work… smaller scarves are great for small looms or bundles of books and tools; larger scarves for larger bundles of looms and stuff.

But, you don’t have to use scarves: This is a great upcycling opportunity!

You can use squares of fabric cut from old shirts or skirts or dresses

You can also use cloth squares to gift wrap presies. Do check that link at the top of the page. Impressive

Here’s a video, showing how to use Furoshiki wrapping techniques to make an instant, customized carrier for your small loom:

The models in the video are my 3 smallest Mirrix looms. I call them the Three Sisters.

I love, love LOVE my Three Little Sisters! I have renamed them: The Mini is ‘Molly Whuppie’ (you can read her story in my book, Soul Mate Dolls), ‘Vasilisa’ (heroine of a wonderful Russian fairytale) is the name of the 8 inch loom, and the 12 inch is now known as ‘Jane’, after my beloved Jane Austen.

I do believe they quite like their travel wraps!

Here’s the video that I made to show how I wrap my looms :

Mirrix Loom Weave Along Soumak Pouch- 2- Looms, tools, equipment

This is the second ‘Prelude Post’ for the Mirrix Loom Weave Along for the Soumak Pouch.

The pouches are perfect for both business cards:

or for cellphones:

My cellphone is one of the smaller, lower tech ones [4inches tall, 2 inches wide, 5/8 inch thick] if yours is larger, then you will want to upsize your pouch, if your pouch is going to be a cellphone pouch.

Alright… now onto the gathering up of tools and equipment:

First of all, you need a loom:

Most of the photos and videos for the weave along will feature my 8 inch Lani Mirrix loom. (Although I have ordered a Mini and a Little Guy, so hopefully, they will arrive soon, so I can use them in the photos and videos, too.)

The pouch can also be woven on any of the larger Mirrix looms as well- if you are using one of the smaller Mirrix looms, then warp up one pouch at a time. If you are using one of the larger looms, then you can warp and weave 2 pouches at the same time.

Even if you don’t have a Mirrix loom, please feel welcome to join in the Weave Along.

As long as you have a loom that you can get good tight tension on it, then you will be able to weave the pouches.

You will also need: A steam iron, a pressing cloth, a good source of light, pencil crayons or watercolors or some other way of coloring your preliminary pattern colorways, 2 clothespins, scissors, needle and thread for finishing, snap fastener and a swivel clip, you’ll also need paper for tracing out your patterns and trying out different color schemes.

Knitting needles and crochet hooks are very helpful, and a loop turning tool is handy (I bought mine at my local fabric store), a piece of cardboard that is 10 inches tall by 3 inches wide (25 cm tall by 7.5 cm wide), a weaving stick, small paper clamps, a fork or beater, a hole punch, at least a yard of firm yarn or cord, clear tape (packing tape works well); a black fine tip permanent marker

You’ll need rods for the top and lower edge of the weaving: 6 inch (15 cm) tent pegs or 6 inch (15 cm) lengths of steel or brass rods 1/8 inch in diameter (I bought a 36 inch long one at the hardware store and cut it to 6 inch lengths with a hacksaw); velcro straps (I bought mine from Lee Valley: Link; ‘S’ HOOKS: 25 “S” hooks, either 7/8 inch or 1 inch- opened or closed :[ I had a huge 'AHA' when I bought closed 'S' hooks.... having one end closed is just GREAT... so if you buy closed 'S' hooks, open one end with pliers. If you buy open 'S' hooks, squeeze one of the ends closed. Having the closed end keeps the 'S' hooks on the rod. ] ; 1/4 inch Washers: 54 in total; 1 or 2 pairs of pliers for adjusting the ‘S’ hooks; ruler and tape measure.

Some of these things have shown up in other photos, so I won’t list them again, but the other things are: A small bowl for holding pins, needles, clamps etc; a bag or box to store and transport the project (that’s Tottie Tomato’s knitting bag); chopsticks are very handy for several things besides your Pad Thai

You will need at least 5 or 6 blunt tapestry or craft or darning needles. It’s handy to have a needlebook or tin, or cardboard tube or eyeglass case to store them in.

To line the pouch: Fabric (I upcycled one of my son’s abandoned t shirts for the lining of the first 4 bags), scissors, pins, needle and thread, snap fastener: I used the 15 mm size.

To make the edging cord: A kumihimo kit (the cd is a stand in as I haven’t received mine yet) available from Mirrix: LINK

OR a spool knitter: Lion Brand: LINK

or Harrisville: LINK

CHECKLIST at a glance:

- Loom

- steam iron

- pressing cloth

-a good source of light

- pencil crayons or watercolors or some other way of coloring your preliminary pattern colorways

- paper for tracing out your patterns and trying out different color schemes

- 2 clothespins

-scissors

-needle and thread for finishing

-snap fastener 15 mm size

-swivel snap hook (optional)

-knitting needles & crochet hooks

-Optional: a loop turning tool is handy

-a piece of cardboard that is 10 inches tall by 3 inches wide (25 cm tall by 7.5 cm wide)

- a weaving stick

- small paper clamps

-a fork or beater

-a hole punch

-at least a yard of firm yarn or cord

-clear tape (packing tape works well)

-a black fine tip permanent marker

-Rods for the top and lower edge of the weaving: 6 inch (15 cm) tent pegs or 6 inch (15 cm) lengths of steel or brass rods 1/8 inch in diameter

-velcro straps Link

-‘S’ HOOKS: 25 “S” hooks, either 7/8 inch or 1 inch- opened or closed

- 1/4 inch Washers: 54 in total

-1 or 2 pairs of pliers for adjusting the ‘S’ hooks

-ruler and tape measure

- small bowl for holding pins, needles, clamps etc

- a bag or box to store and transport the project

- chopstick (optional)

- At least 5 or 6 blunt tapestry or craft or darning needles and a needlebook or tin, or cardboard tube or eyeglass case to store them in.

-Lining fabric

- Straight pins

-kumihimo kit OR a spool knitter

-any other embellishments, beads, buttons, charms or found objects that you wish to use.

6 Comments

Filed under tutorial & how to, weaving & handwoven, Loom & looms & small loom weaving

Tagged as Noreen Crone-Findlay, Mirrix loom, Weave along, how to weave soumak, Soumak Pouch, business card pouch, cellphone pouch

July 25, 2012 · 3:58 pm

Tips for quick and easy heddling on Mirrix looms

I love how easy it is to warp the Mirrix looms.

I’ve found that there are a few things that can make the process of attaching the heddles go quick as a wink.

Efficient is good!

The first thing that I do, after I release the warping bar from the blocks and turn them around, is to slide a piece of cardboard or masonite between the layers of warp strands at the front of the loom and the back of the loom.

It sits there, in the middle, blocking the distracting view of those warp strands at the back of the loom.

Then, I use a shed stick that is at least as long as the width of the loom to pick up every other warp strand.

Then, I flip the shed stick on it’s side, with each end being supported by the shedding device blocks.

I now have 2 layers of warp strands because of this shed being open.

So, to keep the back warp strands out of view, I slide a ruler or strip of cardboard into the open shed.

Bliss! Now, I just have one set of warp strands ready for the heddles- Yay!

This makes things sooooo much easier!

I like the center brass knob of the shed changer to be as close to the exact center of the warp strands.

So, I count how many strands I need to attach to the rod, and divide that in 1/2.

I place 1/2 the heddles on 2 of my fingers, and 1/2 on the other 2 fingers.

I loosen the heddle rod and slide it along so it’s about 2 inches/5 cm from the edge of the warp strands.

Then, I reach behind the warp strand with a crochet hook, pluck a heddle off my fingers, and pull it behind the warp strand.

I catch both ends of the heddle loop and pop them onto the heddle bar. Slide the bar along as you go.

When I run out of the the first clump of heddles, I should be half way along the warp strands.

I work across , picking up all the strands, and attaching them to the heddle bar, then tighten up the little nut that holds the heddle bar in place.

Remove the shed stick and ruler, then rotate the heddle bar, sliding the heddles down the warp strands.

Turn the shed opener enough so the heddles open your first shed.

Use the shed stick to pick up the warp strands that are between the warp strands that you have just heddled.

Turn it on it’s side, insert the ruler, and repeat the process.

Check to make sure that all the heddles are securely attached to the heddle rods.

When I was making the video, one little bounder escaped, which was actually a good thing.

This allowed me to show how to capture the escapee heddle and tie it back in place.

Remove the shed stick and ruler and check the sheds, then attach the handle or treadle and Voila!

You’re ready to weave!

Here’s the video:

Happy Weaving!

4 Comments

Filed under Loom & looms & small loom weaving, tutorial & how to, weaving & handwoven

Tagged as hand weaving, handwoven, heddles, heddling, how to heddle, Mirrix loom, textiles, weaving tips and hints

July 22, 2012 · 3:39 pm

Warping Mirrix Looms with Loom Extenders

Loom extenders for the Mirrix looms are sooooooo neat!

You’ll need to make a few adjustments when you are warping the extended loom.

Your best friends when warping the extended loom: Two chairs that don’t have upholstery or cushions:

Place the chairs as far apart as possible:

This leaves a gap that allows you to easily pass the ball of warp around the loom.

You could use 2 small tables if you would prefer, but I like the height of the chairs.

The loom is still happily very stable when it’s extended.

Amazing, isn’t it?

That’s great design for you.

One of the other things that I have found while weaving on the extended loom is that the weaving can pull in on you.

So, to rectify this, take 2 rubber bands, and 2 paperclips.

Open the paperclips, fold the rubber bands around the side bars, and squeeze the shorter end of the paperclip closed.

Hook the larger end of the paperclip through the selvedge, about a half inch below the fell line.

Make sure that the end of the paperclip is towards the back of the loom, as this makes it be less of a snaggle hazard.

Here’s the video:

Happy weaving!

Setting up loom extenders on the Mirrix loom

Normally, I tend to prefer small looms, but I have just fallen in love with using loom extender bars on the Mirrix loom.

It’s really hard to convey how tall the ‘Alice in Wonderland’ version of the Big Sister 16 inch loom is when she’s got her stilts on.

With the extenders, she is 40 inches/1 m tall.

Now, that’s tall!

This means that you can achieve lots more weaving with one warp up.

(I’m working on some really fun stuff with my Big Sister Stiltie! So, stay tuned!)

My husband bought me the components for the extenders at the place he buys parts for our ancient tractor, so I didn’t have instructions on how to do this.

So, I had to figure it out for myself.

I found that there are a few tricks that make the set up easier when adding the loom extenders to your Mirrix loom.

First, lift the top of the loom off the side rails and set aside.

Unscrew the thumbscrews from the threaded rods, and screw them onto the extension rods.

I screwed them on so they were 5 inches/12.5 cm from the top end of the extensions.

Put the washers back on top of the thumbscrews.

Screw the coupler to the top of the loom rod.

Hot tip: Place the end of a tape measure inside the coupler so you can watch to see that you have screwed it on so it is half way onto the lower rod.

I had my doubts about how stable this was going to be, because the coupler seemed wobbly to me.

But, I went ahead, and screwed the extension rod in anyhow….

And, then, when I tightened it up by hand, I was amazed at how it was suddenly rock solid!

WHEEE!

This is good!

Wobbly bad!

Solid- GOOD!!!

Repeat for the other side…

Measure to be sure you have everything square, and put the top half of your loom back on.

Stand back in amazement at your loomie on stilts! Wowsa!

The best part is that the loom is still miraculously stable and works perfectly.

I find that resting it against the edge of the desk and having the lower edge sitting in my lap is the most comfortable way to weave with the extensions on.

Also, weaving standing up works well.

Having the stand for it would be sublime.

I made a video of the ‘putting it together’ process:

Happy weaving!

A slightly Saori vest for the Jazz fest

My husband is a Jazz musician, so, for the Jazz Festival, I wanted to weave him a new vest…. (last year, I wove him a new shirt).

I started weaving the vest in April, (LINK to post) so you would think that I could have gotten it done for the end of June, right?

Well…. I did…. but…. Oh my! I was scrambling at the end to get it done so he could do this:

It began here in April:

I started out weaving the narrow bands for his vest on my vintage Structo loom.

I was freeformie Saori-ing and then thought that I should check with Jim to see if he wanted it more sedate…

and he voted for not going wild, but keeping it plain and simple.

I enjoyed weaving the narrow fabric on the Structo, but knew that it wouldn’t be enough for the vest,

so, I wove some inkle bands on my Mirrix Loom:

(The red band became part of a prayer flag and an inkle doll.)

I was juggling a lot of deadlines and projects and suddenly, the Jazz Festival was upon us!

EEEP! I realized, once I started cutting out his vest, that I didn’t have enough fabric! eegads and little fish!

I madly warped up my Saori loom… on… you guessed it… the afternoon of Jim’s gig (blush)

Holy honkinhaleujah! my feet and hands were FLYING as I wove up the rest of his vest fabric! yikes!

It only has the border on one side because of the way I was piecing it into the vest.

I managed to get the fabric washed, dried and the machine stitching done….

but ending up doing the hand stitching as we drove in to the city for the concert.

Which was sold out and was great!

And so was the gig the next day with his other trio:

Blush…. I didn’t get the buttons, buttonholes and back belt done for a couple of days, when he had his next gig:

But… here he is, with his buttons and buttonholes in place!

and the belt on the back…. right over the freeformie, Saori weaving- I couldn’t resist sneaking it in

(and my friend, Arwen, who has fab design sense, said she liked that bit the best )

He likes it and says it’s very comfortable to wear.

This is essential, because, if it isn’t comfortable, there’s no way he’ll wear it to perform in.

I’m happy. It was a frantic rush at the end, but it was worth it for my Honeybunny

10 Comments

Filed under weaving & handwoven, Loom & looms & small loom weaving

Tagged as Noreen Crone-Findlay, Saori weaving, Mirrix loom, Jazz festival vest, hand woven vest, hand woven garment, sewing handwovens

June 30, 2012 · 9:47 pm

How to weave inkle bands on Mirrix looms part 4

This is the fourth video tutorial about how to weave inkle bands on Mirrix looms.

A dear friend asked me: “Why are you spending all this time figuring out how to weave inkle bands on the Mirrix loom? You have inkle looms! “

Yes, I do… an open sided one, a closed side one that my husband built me from upcycled pallet wood, and a mini.

And, I love them…. but, I find that the open side and mini inkle looms both kind of flop when I have one end on the desk edge and one end in my lap. This is the way that I like to weave with inkle looms, and I find the wobble/flop rather frustrating.

I really like how stable the Mirrix is when I have the lower edge in my lap and the upper edge against a workbench, table or desk.

Also, I love the precision of the tensioning on the Mirrix… those thumbscrews are sweet!

And, I also love the shedding device………. soooooooooo smooth.

Besides, the Mirrix takes up sooooooooooooo little room to store it- inkle looms do take up a chunk of space in the studio!

That’s four good reasons that have made this rather challenging learning curve worthy of the time I have invested.

Here’s the video for the finishing process of weaving inkle bands on the Mirrix loom:

When you have woven your bands to the point that the warping rod is sitting on top of the loom, you will need to remove the spring:

Loosen the tension up a lot….

Lift the spring rod out of the spring.

Release the ends of the springs from the knobs.

Gently, ease the spring out of the warp strands by spreading the warp strands out slightly and pushing on the spring to disengage it.

Continue weaving until the shuttle almost can’t make it through the shed.

Weave one row.

Keep the shuttle in the shed, and place a darning or tapestry needle in the shed with the point pointing in the direction that the shuttle exits the shed.

Weave the next row, and repeat with a second darning needle.

The needles now point in opposite directions.

Weave one more row.

Cut the weft strand, and thread it into the first needle.

Pull it through, and remove the needle.

Thread the weft strand into the remaining needle and pull it through.

La de dah! you have finished your inkle band!

Wheee!

I always weave the tail end in a little bit more before I trim it off.

Loosen the tension wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy off, and slide the warping rod out of the loops.

Trim the ends, and pull them through the heddles.

Congratulations, you’ve woven some scrumptious new inkle bands!

Happy Weaving!

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Filed under tutorial & how to, weaving & handwoven, Loom & looms & small loom weaving

Tagged as Noreen Crone-Findlay, hand weaving, video tutorial, narrow band weaving, hand woven, inkle weaving, Mirrix loom, Mirrix looms, how to weave inkle bands on the Mirrix loom, inkle, weaving inkle bands, inkle bands, pallet wood, four good reasons

Tag Archives: Mirrix loom

Embroidering Leno Lace

Soumak Pouch Weave Along – Part 3 – Warping the Looms

Have loom and guitar will travel

Furoshiki wrap technique to carry a small loom

Mirrix Loom Weave Along Soumak Pouch- 2- Looms, tools, equipment

CHECKLIST at a glance:

Tips for quick and easy heddling on Mirrix looms

Warping Mirrix Looms with Loom Extenders

Setting up loom extenders on the Mirrix loom

A slightly Saori vest for the Jazz fest

How to weave inkle bands on Mirrix looms part 4

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