2009 Midwest Weavers’ Conference Guild Exhibit
Heart to Heart: Fiber Arts We Share
Warming Little Hearts
Baby Blanket Project
Weaving Indiana (Indianapolis, Indiana)
Twenty handwoven baby blankets were created by 17 Weaving Indiana guild
members in this group project that benefits Methodist Hospital Maternity
Center in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Participating members created handwoven baby blankets using natural
fibers. The blankets could be any dimension, but there were suggested sizes:
12” square soft keepsake bereavement blanket
24” square blanket for preemies
36” square blanket for average newborns
The guild gathered all the drafts into a pattern book, showing photos of the
finished blankets, along with pattern drawdowns, fiber details and weaver
comments. Each project participant received a printed copy, while all guild
members received an electronic version (PDF) of the book and the WIF files
for each blanket.
Not only did the guild learn from all the knowledge provided by the
participants, new mothers also benefited by receiving beautifully woven
blankets to warm their hearts and their newborn babies.
After the guild exhibit at the 2009 Midwest Weavers’ Conference in
Grinnell, Iowa, the baby blankets will be donated to the Methodist Hospital
Maternity Center Newborn and Infant Unit, which houses mothers with
high-risk pregnancies.
Mary Wright, a Weaving Indiana member and a chaplain for the Clarian
Health Partners downtown hospitals who works with the bereavement
specialists, will present the gifts and perform a blessing of the blankets
in a ceremony at the hospital.
2009 Weaving Indiana Guild Project
Wrapped in Love
by Linda Adamson
Pattern Name
Lace
Source
www.handweaving.net (45550.wif)
Equipment
Loom Megado 16
Shuttle Schacht boat
Other
Warp
yarn fiber Unmercerized cotton
yarn size and color 8/2 Valley cotton in burgundy and eggplant
sett 20 epi
width in reed 26.2”
Weft
yarn fiber Mercerized cotton
yarn size and color 5/2 in pink
Dimensions
Off loom 24” x 26.25”
After washing 20.5” x 24.5”
Washing method Machine washed in warm water, machine dried.
No ironing needed.
Weaver Comments
This had a great feel to it after washing. What I forgot to
account for is the pull in of the lace. There were 58 threads in
a pattern repeat. I thought one more repeat would make the
blanket too big for our 24” square size, but I could have added
another repeat and come out fine.
I would also have added a border on either side to make a
nicer finish. The patterns pulled in differently, causing a wavy
edge instead of a straight edge.
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2009 Weaving Indiana Guild Project
Little Boy Blue
by Bev Bartel
Pattern Name
Horizontal and Vertical Huck
Source
fellow weaver
Equipment
Loom 8 harness
Shuttle Boat
Other
Warp
yarn fiber Mercerized cotton
yarn size and color 3/2 in medium blue
sett 12 epi
width in reed 26.75”
Weft
yarn fiber Mercerized cotton
yarn size and color 3/2 in light blue
Dimensions
Off loom
After washing 22.5” x 25.5”
Washing method Gentle cycle, warm, with fabric softener.
Machine dried at medium low.
Weaver Comments
The original weaver suggested a plain weave border all around,
which I did. Finished side borders, about 2.25”, hems 3.25”.
Could be wider for full sized blankets.
For a lighter weight result, I’ll try a finer yarn next time. The
sett may need adjustment.
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2009 Weaving Indiana Guild Project
Pretty with Pink
by Nancy Berry
Pattern Name
Diaper Twill
Source
none
Equipment
Loom Schacht 44” 8-harness
Shuttle Bluster Bay boat shuttle
Other
Warp
yarn fiber Mercerized cotton
yarn size and color 5/2 in purple, pink, blue and green
sett 20 epi
width in reed 42”
Weft
yarn fiber Mercerized cotton
yarn size and color 5/2 in purple, pink, blue and green
Dimensions
Off loom 41”
After washing 36”
Washing method Regular cold wash, medium tumble dry
Weaver Comments
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2009 Weaving Indiana Guild Project
Baby Blanket One
by Eleanor Best
Pattern Name
none
Source
none
Equipment
Loom Louët Megado 32 (only 20 shafts used)
Shuttle
Other
Warp
yarn fiber Unmercerized cotton
yarn size and color 5/2 in green
sett 20 epi
width in reed 26”
Weft
yarn fiber Soft spun cotton
yarn size and color 5/2 in white
Dimensions
Off loom 25”
After washing 22”
Washing method Machine washed.
Weaver Comments
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2009 Weaving Indiana Guild Project
Baby Blanket Two
by Eleanor Best
Pattern Name
none
Source
none
Equipment
Loom Louët Megado 32 (only 20 shafts used)
Shuttle
Other
Warp
yarn fiber Unmercerized cotton
yarn size and color 5/2 in green
sett 20 epi
width in reed 26”
Weft
yarn fiber Unmercerized cotton
yarn size and color 5/2 in green
Dimensions
Off loom 25”
After washing 22”
Washing method Machine washed.
Weaver Comments
10
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2009 Weaving Indiana Guild Project
Crib Cabin Fever
by Alice Burr
Pattern Name
Log Cabin
Source
original
Equipment
Loom Schacht 8-harness Baby Wolf
Shuttle Schacht boat
Other
Warp
yarn fiber Unmercerized cotton
yarn size and color Fiber Valley 8/2 in dark blue and light variegated pastels
sett 20 epi
width in reed 24”
Weft
yarn fiber Unmercerized cotton
yarn size and color Fiber Valley 8/2 in dark blue and light variegated pastels
Dimensions
Off loom 23.5” x 25.5”
After washing 21” x 22.5”
Washing method Hot water and detergent on a full cycle with other clothes.
No ironing needed.
Weaver Comments
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2009 Weaving Indiana Guild Project
Lace Hearts
by Mary Alice Donceel
Pattern Name
Atwater-Bronson Lace
Source
Equipment
Loom Floor jack loom
Shuttle Boat
Other
Warp
yarn fiber Mercerized cotton
yarn size and color 5/2 in dark turquoise and purple/blue spaced-dyed
sett 15 epi
width in reed 36”
Weft
yarn fiber Mercerized cotton
yarn size and color 5/2 in dark turquoise and purple/blue spaced-dyed
Dimensions
Off loom 34” x 43”
After washing 31.5” x 40”
Washing method Machine washed warm, machined dried, lightly ironed.
Weaver Comments
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2009 Weaving Indiana Guild Project
Blue Bamboo
by Phillip S. Ewart
Pattern Name
Houndstooth Huck
Source
8-Shaft Patterns by Carol Strickler
Equipment
Loom Louët Delta 12-shaft countermarche
Shuttle Boat
Other
Warp
yarn fiber Bambu 7
yarn size and color in Teal, Tide Blue and Sky
sett 16 epi
width in reed 30”
Weft
yarn fiber Bambu 7
yarn size and color in Teal, Tide Blue and Sky
Dimensions
Off loom 28” x 31.5”
After washing 26” x 29”
Washing method Machine wash, air dry, no ironing needed.
Weaver Comments
The “houndstooth huck” pattern shows up because of the
order of the light, medium and dark threads in both the warp
and weft.
Following the pattern draft shown on page 207 in The Weaver’s
Book of 8-Shaft Patterns edited by Carol Strickler, the first 6
threads are the medium color, then 6 threads of light, then 6
threads of medium and 6 threads of dark. Repeat this series in
the warp and weft to achieve the “houndstooth” effect.
I used three shuttles and carried the two threads not in use in
the selvedge.
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2009 Weaving Indiana Guild Project
Dragonfly Dreams
by Alison Forsythe
Pattern Name
Point Twill
Source
8-Shaft Patterns, by Carol Strickler
Equipment
Loom 8-shaft countermarche
Shuttle Boat
Other
Warp
yarn fiber Mercerized cotton
yarn size and color 5/2 in Pacific Blue and Carribean
sett 18 epi
width in reed 34”
Weft
yarn fiber Mercerized cotton
yarn size and color 5/2 in Magenta
Dimensions
Off loom 31.5” x 35.75”
After washing 30.5” x 34”
Washing method Machine wash warm, dry medium. Ironing not needed.
Weaver Comments
18
Weaving cotton is so pleasant—it’s very forgiving. Any tension
issues seemed to work themselves out. My only disappointment
was that the iridescence of the finished piece had decreased
after washing.
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2009 Weaving Indiana Guild Project
Pink Rosebuds
by Tina Hilton
Pattern Name
Basket and Plain weave
Source
Handwoven Magazine, May-June, 1993
Equipment
Loom AVL
Shuttle AVL fly shuttle
Other
Warp
yarn fiber Cotton Slub
yarn size and color Variegated cotton slub, approximately 8/2
sett 20 epi
width in reed 36”
Weft
yarn fiber Cotton Slub
yarn size and color Variegated cotton slub, approximately 8/2
Dimensions
Off loom 33.5” x 38”
After washing 27.5” x 31.5”
Washing method Machine wash warm, tumble dry, no ironing needed.
Weaver Comments
20
I had to use a temple because the selvedge threads kept
breaking due to draw-in. It was the first time I successfully
used a temple. While it is hard to see the pattern due to the
variegated yarn, I really like the nubby texture.
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2009 Weaving Indiana Guild Project
Snowflake
by Nina Kennedy
Pattern Name
Twill
Source
Twill Thrills, by Madelyn van der Hoogt
Equipment
Loom Louët Octado 8-harness dobby
Shuttle End-feed
Other
Warp
yarn fiber Mercerized cotton
yarn size and color 5/2 in white
sett 20 epi
width in reed 21”
Weft
yarn fiber Flake cotton
yarn size and color Yellow cotton flake (from my stash)
Dimensions
Off loom 21” x 26”
After washing 19.5” x 24”
Washing method Machine wash gentle, warm. Machine dry. Light ironing.
Weaver Comments
I was going to make a larger size baby blanket but ran short of
time so I decided to do a premie blanket!
The crocheted trim makes a nice edging.
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2009 Weaving Indiana Guild Project
Plaid Pastel Blanket in Huck
Pattern Name
3-Thread Huck
Source
www.allfiberarts.com
Equipment
by Joan Leon
Loom 8-harness Schacht
Shuttle Boat
Other
Warp
yarn fiber Mercerized cotton
yarn size and color 5/2 in White, Petal, Scarab, Yellow and Mineral
sett 15 epi
width in reed 40”
Weft
yarn fiber Mercerized cotton
yarn size and color 5/2 in White, Petal, Scarab, Yellow and Mineral
Dimensions
Off loom 36”
After washing 32.5”
Washing method Machine wash gentle warm, cold rinse. Machine dry low.
Weaver Comments
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2009 Weaving Indiana Guild Project
Snail’s Trails and Puppy Dog Tails
Pattern Name
by Carrie May
Diaper Twill
Source
Equipment
Loom Louët Megado 32
Shuttle Schacht boat
Other
Warp
yarn fiber Mercerized cotton
yarn size and color 5/2 in blues and greens
sett 18 epi
width in reed 37”
Weft
yarn fiber Mercerized cotton
yarn size and color 5/2 in blues and greens
Dimensions
Off loom
After washing
Washing method Machine wash and dry
Weaver Comments
After repeated washings, ironing should not be needed.
I think I could have woven this at 16 epi with better results.
My ppi is less than my epi, so the pattern is not as nice as it
could be. I prefer finer threads, so I really notice a difference
when I try to weave with anything heavier than 10/2 cotton.
I did not measure the blanket before or after washing, but
estimate approximately a 10% shrinkage overall.
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2009 Weaving Indiana Guild Project
Maia’s Meadow
by Mindy McCain
Pattern Name
Modified Point Twill
Source
Original
Equipment
Loom Louët Magic 27” dobby
Shuttle Schacht end-feed
Other
Warp
yarn fiber Mercerized cotton
yarn size and color 3/2 in white, light blue and light green
sett 12 epi
width in reed 20.25”
Weft
yarn fiber Mercerized cotton
yarn size and color 3/2 in white, light blue and light green
Dimensions
Off loom 19.5”
After washing 17.25”
Washing method Machine wash and dry, regular cycles. Light ironing needed.
Weaver Comments
I wove the narrow (20”) width at twice the length, with one
half in a stripe and the other half with a center motif. Then I
split the striped piece up the middle to crochet along each side
of the center piece. This created a larger (35”) blanket from a
smaller loom.
I tested several scraps of similar fabric with a short fringe,
machine washing the scraps dozens of time to see what
happened to the fringe. Though a little of the yarn was lost,
the fringe maintained itself nicely. So, for this blanket, I
simply step-zigzagged the edges and left a half-inch fringe on
all 4 sides.
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2009 Weaving Indiana Guild Project
Mountain Majesty
by Sue Parker Bassett
Pattern Name
Crackle
Source
One Warp, Many Fabrics workshop*
Equipment
Loom Jack
Shuttle Ski shuttle for pattern,
Other
Warp
end-feed for tabby
yarn fiber Mercerized cotton
yarn size and color 5/2 i n bleached white
sett 16 epi
width in reed 31”
Weft
yarn fiber Mercerized cotton
yarn size and color 5/2 in bleached white for tabby
Ironstone “Infinity” hand-dyed cotton ribbon for pattern
Dimensions
Off loom 28.5” x 28”
After washing 24.5” x 24.75”
Washing method Machine wash cold on regular setting. Machine dry on cotton
setting. No ironing needed.
Weaver Comments
The blanket binding was machine stitched to the edges to give
a nice finish to the hem stitched ends and cover yarn changes
at the selvedges.
The yarn cost was about $8 for warp and tabby. The pattern
yarn was $18. Binding was under $3. So the total cost was
under $30 and created a soft and easy to care for fabric.
This was a good project to try out some of the knowledge I
gained in the “One Warp, Many Fabrics” crackle workshop* with
Susan Wilson and a great way to utilize stash knitting yarns!
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2009 Weaving Indiana Guild Project
Pretty in Pink
by Sue Parker Bassett
Pattern Name
Plain weave
Source
Equipment
Loom 8-harness jack floor loom
Shuttle Ski shuttle
Other
Warp
yarn fiber Lily’s Sugar and Cream, Patons Cotton Colours
yarn size and color Medium pink, burgundy, blue and green
sett 8 epi
width in reed 40.75”
Weft
yarn fiber Lily’s Sugar and Cream, Patons Cotton Colours
yarn size and color Medium pink, burgundy, blue and green
Dimensions
Off loom 38.25” x 50.75”
After washing 36” x 48”
Washing method Machine wash warm on regular cycle. Machine dry on cotton
setting. No ironing needed.
Weaver Comments
The raw ends of the fabric caused excessive lint when washed.
The selvedges were untidy where the weft colors changed.
Blanket binding was added to cover these undesirable qualities
and add a bit of tactile stimulation.
The Lily Sugar and Cream is a soft, inexpensive and readily
available yarn that pairs well with the Patons yarn that I found
in my stash. The total cost of the blanket was less than $15.
The thickness of the yarns did not lend themselves to a twill or
lace pattern due to safety concerns of trapping small fingers in
the cloth structure.
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2009 Weaving Indiana Guild Project
ButterFly
by Sara Schultz
Pattern Name
Two-block Twill
Source
Equipment
Loom Fireside 8-harness
Shuttle boat
Other
Warp
yarn fiber Mercerized cotton
yarn size and color 5/2 in lavendar and aqua
sett 18 epi
width in reed 33.5”
Weft
yarn fiber Mercerized cotton
yarn size and color 5/2 in yellow
Dimensions
Off loom 32”
After washing 29”
Washing method Machine wash warm, tumble dry medium. No ironing needed.
Weaver Comments
34
I would set the warp closer and beat much harder next time. I
plan to try a bluegreen jeweltone as weft for a second blanket.
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2009 Weaving Indiana Guild Project
Green Overshot
Pattern Name
by Kris Seel
Overshot
Source
Equipment
Loom Louët Octado 8-harness
Shuttle
mechanical dobby
Other
Warp
yarn fiber Mercerized cotton
yarn size and color 3/2 in white
sett 12 epi
width in reed 31.25”
Weft
yarn fiber Unmercerized cotton
yarn size and color 8/2 cotton in white (tabby) and green (pattern)
Dimensions
Off loom
After washing
Washing method Machine washed warm, tumble dry low.
Weaver Comments
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2009 Weaving Indiana Guild Project
Yellow Sunshine
Pattern Name
by Kris Seel
Overshot
Source
Equipment
Loom Louët Octado 8-harness
Shuttle
mechanical dobby
Other
Warp
yarn fiber Mercerized cotton
yarn size and color 3/2 in white
sett 12 epi
width in reed 31.25”
Weft
yarn fiber Unmercerized cotton
yarn size and color 8/2 cotton in white (tabby) and yellow (pattern)
Dimensions
Off loom
After washing
Washing method Machine washed warm, tumble dry low.
Weaver Comments
38
This blanket is made from the same threading and warp as the
previous Green Overshot blanket.
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2009 Weaving Indiana Guild Project
Primary Colors
by Kris Seel
Pattern Name
Overshot
Source
Handwoven Magazine, May-June 1993
Equipment
Loom Louët Octado 8-harness
Shuttle
mechanical dobby
Other
Warp
yarn fiber Unmercerized cotton
yarn size and color 8/2 in white and colors - yellow, green, red and blue
sett 15 epi
width in reed 37.25”
Weft
yarn fiber Unmercerized cotton
yarn size and color 3/2 cotton in white (pattern) and 8/2 yellow, green, red and
blue (tabby)
Dimensions
Off loom
After washing
Washing method Machine washed warm, tumble dry low.
Weaver Comments
40
This pattern would be great to do with a computerized loom.
I had to change dobby bars for the white stripes, then the
colors, then the white stripe again *different pattern than
the 1st white stripe and then a different pattern for the color
again. Whew... I cannot even imagine doing on a regular loom
and keeping track of it all. But I love it.
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2009 Weaving Indiana Guild Project
Dawn to Dusk Sweethearts
by Mary Wright
Pattern Name
Point Twill - Judi Eatough variation
Source
www.handweaving.net (13915.wif)
Equipment
Loom 8-shaft Schacht
Shuttle Boat
Other
Warp
yarn fiber Unmercerized cotton
yarn size and color 8/2 in light brown
sett 24 epi
width in reed 25”
Weft
yarn fiber Chenille
yarn size and color Rayon chenille in pale orange
Dimensions
Off loom 23.5”
After washing 21.5”
Washing method Machine wash and dry. Light iron.
Weaver Comments
This was the widest project I have done on my new loom. I
learned I could not really thread a full 26” and had to leave off
several warp threads on either side.
I also learned the heart pattern shows much better using a
finer weft. I intended to use colors without much contrast but
thought the different textures would work better. On the loom
the hearts were visible, but after washing the chenille “fluffed”
and the pattern disappeared.
42
Another sample used a fine beige cotton weft and it was much
better — but I didn’t have enough warp or enough time! My
finished blanket would make a great towel instead!!
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