The AGM for the Braid Society was held in the Gateway Education Centre in Shrewsbury.
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| Gateway Education Centre in Shrewsbury |
http://shropshire.gov.uk/the-gateway-education-and-arts-centre/
This Arts Centre is also hosting an exhibition of members work. I have put a short video on my Facebook page but here are some close up photographs of some of the exhibits. If you can get to the exhibition, you will find a fascinating range of work from 3D hangings to practical garments made with a variety of techniques.
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| display in the window at the entrance. |
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| exhibition room |
The exhibition room is beautifully lit and the exhibits looked stunning in this setting. A lot of work had been put in to set up this display of items by members of the Braid Society.
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| The vibrant jacket - I want one! |
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| Close up of jacket by Jaquie Carey |
The jacket is a splash of colour. I remember seeing the work in progress for this garment. It took many many hours of work.
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| Bridget's carpet slippers and Ian's archery strap. |
These comfortable carpet slippers are made with carpet wool on an inkle loom. The archery strap is tablet woven.
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| The Return of the Owl by Anne Dyer . |
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| Two of my woven crios |
The Workshop
On Friday, I ran a workshop where participants could learn to weave and to design pattern with 9 pattern threads.
The heddle is a specially designed double slotted heddle with shorter lots for 9 pattern threads. It can be also be used to weave patterns with 7 and 5 pattern threads.
The 9 pattern slot heddle is an ideal way for beginners to learn to weave patterned bands. Even if you are experienced, this heddle is an excellent way to introduce non-weavers to the delights of producing creative woven bands.
Why not teach someone else to weave?
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| ready warped heddles |
Here are eight of the warps I made for the workshop. I decided to use bright colours which were inspired by volcanic lava flow. One end of the warp is tied tightly and a loop fixed around the warp. This loop is attached to the G-clamp on the table.
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| setting up the room |
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| a Shacht cricket loom |
Two participants used their own small rigid heddle looms. These are ideal with the narrow 9 pattern thread heddle.
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| A comfortable weaving position. |
A comfortable weaving position is important. Kay found it easier to sit on the floor.
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| Concentrating hard |
Most participants used a g-clamp on the table to attach their warp. In the afternoon, everyone tried design work and then had the option of weaving their own design or following a pattern. By the end of the day, the work produced was wonderful.
Talk: My Takadai Journey to the third level and beyond.
After the AGM, Jennie Parry gave an inspirational talk.
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| Setting up for the talk |
Jennie provided some beautiful items for us to examine. As you can see, her pieces are three dimensional and move. Hearing about her creative weaving journey was a real inspiration for all of us.
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| Some of the wonderful samples Jennie provided. |
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| The takadai |
Strands: the Journal of the Braid Society
Finally, the latest edition of Strands, the Journal of the Braid Society was available. If you are not a member of the Braid Society, it is worth joining for the Journal with its range of expertise shown in the various articles each year and access to a a group of lively craft minded individuals with a range of interests.
The Braid Society is easy to join. Here is the web address so that you can check out the details.
https://thebraidsociety.wildapricot.org/
Susan J Foulkes November 2018
Here is the address of my Facebook page so that you can see the short video.
https://www.facebook.com/sue.foulkes.5
Inspiring work, I wish I lived close enough to visit. That jacket is beautiful.
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