Sunday, September 23, 2012

HEMS AND MOUNTING

VLUU L100, M100  / Samsung L100, M100

I received my tapestry back from the traveling ‘Circles and Squares’ exhibition a couple of weeks ago. I have not been showing any finished tapestries here for a while now and as it has been exhibited I thought I would show some photos, as someone has asked me if I would talk about this tapestry. I did enjoy working on a black warp, something that I had not tried before and it is always wonderful to begin a new colour as the design begins to take shape.

VLUU L100, M100  / Samsung L100, M100

I am really not that keen on weaving circles and each circle in this tapestry is a different shape. Sometimes circles can end up looking more like an egg than a circle. Often I will weave a few passes at the top to pack the shape down just to see if I am happy with it. Then pull the extra weft out and start weaving the design again. VLUU L100, M100  / Samsung L100, M100

I did not take many photos of this tapestry while I was weaving. But I did enjoy beginning new shapes and colours although the squares drove me a bit crazy as it is a sure fire way to see if the weaving is uneven.VLUU L100, M100  / Samsung L100, M100

When you weave a tapestry that has no warp showing when the tapestry is finished, you either need to weave a hem and turn it under. Sew the warps to the back or you can use a row of soumac . If you choose to do the soumac in the same colours across the tapestry as the design, It can elongate the design. I realized after cutting the tapestry from the loom that I was not happy with the edge.

VLUU L100, M100  / Samsung L100, M100

I was not certain if I could change the hem after the tapestry was off the loom, but I did have a practice on another tapestry on a different loom. I did feel reasonably confident that I could re chain the edge, but I used the pins to make certain that the other chaining did not pull out. It did not take long to fix and I am certainly happy with the results.

VLUU L100, M100  / Samsung L100, M100

This tapestry is woven in mercerized cotton and is terrible to try to get a good photograph. The sheen on the tapestry makes most of the photos appear out of focus. I keep telling myself that I will NEVER leave it till the last minute to mount my work to get it ready for exhibition. I have a frame for this tapestry and I need to sew it to the matt board. Due to the fact that it is so difficult to photograph I have decided to get a local photographer with experience in photographing textiles to take some photos for me once it is on the matt board and the title and signature underneath it are done. Sometimes it is difficult to know what is the best thing to do. Some exhibitions require un mounted works. Sometimes there are restrictions on the overall size of the work. I cant leave finished tapestries just sitting around not mounted, but I also don’t like the idea of unstitching one that is framed just so I can exhibit it somewhere else. 

8 comments:

  1. Thanks Michelle, it was a fun tapestry to weave!

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  2. Debbie, I saw this 'in the flesh' and loved it. The mercerised cotton's sheen was wonderful. I think it would be difficult to use though, it looked slippery. I am also amazed that you could change the edging, I will have to think deep and hard about this, not sure I would have the nerve to change it. Too many chances for disaster. But thanks for letting us know about the possibility.

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  3. Hi Mary, the cotton is really nice to weave with and packs down to cover the warp better than wool. I did have a practice before I changed the hem. It was not too difficult to do. I think that it is far better to take the risk rather than leaving it a way that you are not happy with. Glad that you liked the tapestry.Debbie.

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  4. Love your tapestry! - I have been wondering too how to mount my tapestry. Usually I leave mine free hanging, but this is just too small. I have been thinking of painting a small canvas with a nice colour and then stitching the tapestry to it. What do you think? would you mind very much showing us how you mount your tapestry? I just have no experience at all with this...Vera

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  5. Hi Vera, glad that you like my tapestry. I am going to sew this tapestry to mount board and frame it behind glass. I have seen small tapestries stitched to canvas stretchers and I like the way that they look. Debbie.

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  6. Thank you for your encouragement! Debbie, I will try it with the canvas stretcher! Vera

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