4 Now 4 Later

Yep, another Schacht loom has landed, this time a Baby Wolf, 4 now 4 later. A wider replacement for the Gem II. At 26" weaving width this is a perfect bridge width  to the larger looms.



 Schacht considers this a portable loom. I have to say, it's pretty heavy. I couldn't move it to a workshop by myself, but maybe someone younger and stronger could, although, I'm pretty strong.  This beauty was ordered through my LYS, The Web-sters. It saved me some cash (which I spent on a castle tray and extra reed), to have it shipped there and I picked it up within minutes of it arriving. It was carted right out to my car and the carton just fit into the back of the Subaru. Whew! The loom fit and finish is as nice as you can get. The maple Schacht uses on their looms is some of the best quality I have seen. Clear beautiful furniture quality. And it is certainly easy to use. It took me half a day to do a careful job of installing the castle tray and getting the heddles on, all the tie-ups etc. In under 3 hours I had him warped and threaded with a 5 yard warp in a nubby silk noil yarn for a couple of birch bark runners.



 The main weft is a lovely handspun wool from a fellow blogger. I'm thinking one of these runners should really be heading back to her.



 The one that stays will become a wall hanging.

The long carriage bolts on the front beam have been replaced with carriage bolt knobs like the back beam has.



That allows for the front beam to be removed to thread since I warp back to front. It made a huge difference in comfort and speed. There is a barrel nut in the beam, so you have to set that correctly when replacing it, but it is a small price to pay for the better access. I will probably switch the plain bolts for knobs on Fiona the wolf pup since the set up is the same. Oh and the new loom's name? Why Shrek of course. :-)

I'll be participating in Spinzilla again this year with the Web-ster's team and give some cotton roving a whirl on the wheel.

colorway:Tex-Mex.

Of course I have ounces and ounces of some wonderful wools too should cotton be a non-starter for me. This beautiful fiber came from the Etsy shop of Robin Edmundson.

The Hogwarts towels continue



with the bronze and blue of Ravenclaw. I might not get a Hufflepuff since that warp is looking pretty close to the end. We'll see since I do love their colors and their mascot. A badger!

And speaking of badgers, a double gauze fabric adorned with them and made into a Grainline Tee came out of the sewing salon last week.



A few things hit the cutting table and some linen pants are almost done. It was a slow week up there with all the excitement of a new loom.

The fall garden is full of California Fuchsia (Zauschneria) and various salvia's.



 It's all a wonderful chaotic jumble at this point and I smile every time I walk by it all. Of course once fall really sets in there will be a reckoning for my lazy ways with the garden this year, weeds will need to be pulled, some things cut back etc. But not today!

Parting shot: The magnificent seven.

Spike, the resident alarmist, keeps watch.

Bring on the Ugly

No, not  Big Bad Sally herself, but the yarn I'm using for the first warp certainly is.



 This yarn was a freebie a number of years ago.  I just couldn't figure out a way to use flesh pink colored yarn in anything. So there it sat waiting for its chance to "be" something. Finally, a purpose for the fugly yarn! A maiden warp, likely full of mistakes and adjustments. A no tears solution and it's now the perfect cone to have on hand. :)

This is how Big Sal is looking these days.



 The flyshuttle/beater is on,



 the brakes and weights on,



 the dobby box is waiting on it's fine adjustments and I need to wedge the loom up and have Gene help move the bench over to the shorter holes on the right side of the loom. Having the vertical support bolt for the bench under the footboard is a stupid set up and no doubt in later models has hopefully been relocated. But it is what it is.



Its previous owner was not as vertically challenged as I and it is important that I get the correct weaving height for myself. If the holes there don't work, I'll go with a free standing bench or chair. I only have two treadles to worry about and the half length bench offers no structural support to the loom frame itself. Christmas week will be a quiet one around Runamuck, and will allow for some slow, thoughtful learning as I start in on my first warp.

There has been some sewing other than gift stuff. I am ashamed to say something left here without a picture, but that is what happens at holiday time. As always, we are down to the wire with shipping the Christmas box out and it just had to get wrapped and packed and GONE.  But this lovely wool blouse is on Rhonda waiting for antique brass snaps and hemming.



 I used Sewing Workshops Zigzag Top (now OOP), for this cold weather favorite of mine, with it's high snug collar and wide A-line shape. Perfect for a turtleneck or long sleeve T underneath. I wanted a pattern I knew well for this beautiful Italian wool. I opted not to do pockets. If they are there I will use them and over time, they drag a top down. I did have a bit of fun with back detail and elbow patches.



 If I grow tired of it, it is easy enough to remove and/or replace. This was all done in wool that I had felted down. A heavily modified Scout Tee is done.



 There is a story behind this. I had wanted to order Tessuti's Lily Dress/Tunic pattern. Then I thought about the cost, the printing and the endless taping all for what?



 Basically a long T shirt dress with some hem pleats and pockets. Did I REALLY need a new pattern for that. No, I didn't. I modified what I had (which is really one reason why one sews to start with.), and did my own thing.



 The fabric is Brussels Washer, a linen/rayon blend with great texture. A great pant fabric and also a wonderful tunic fabric with it's season spanning weight and drape.
Linen without the excessive wrinkles!

Hope everyone is having a great holiday season so far, with family and friends near and far checking (or rolling) in and the cheer is all good!



Parting shot: Cat on a Cold Stone Porch!