Rachel Denbow - DIY Woven Art

The Projects

If youre anything like me, youre naturally drawn to items that seem to carry a story with them. In their lines and colors, they share information about the hands that shaped them and capture an image of a specific season; they are created with intention and purpose, even if only to offer their beauty.

Historically, handwoven textiles have incorporated motifs that share cultural mores and use colors indicative of the resources available in their region. This absolutely reflects my first weaving experience as a fourth-grade girl who was eager to earn a merit badge by finishing a pot holder. I may have spent only thirty minutes constructing a wonky square made from cheap fabric bands on a plastic loom, but that pot holder represented so much more. It was proof of life in a sort of coming-of-age story. I wasnt concerned with even edges or whether the rest of my troop would like my design; I just knew I really liked figuring out how to turn a pile of fabric bands into something else altogether.

As a grown woman with years of creative ventures under my belt, Im still completely smitten with exploring all the ways I can manipulate fibers to produce on-trend pieces that are aesthetically pleasing and, sometimes, completely practical. I have been able to create one-of-a-kind rugs from repurposed sheets, have given chairs new life using neon paracord, and have added so much color and texture to the walls of our home with each new wall hanging. Not only has weaving become an avenue of creative experimentation, its been one of the easiest ways to quiet my mind at the end of a long day. My hands get busy, life slows down, and Im able to find that peaceful place that leaves me more connected to myself and somehow to all the makers that have ever sat down at a loom.

As a new tribe of creative individuals continues to explore this ancient craft with new color stories and fresh eyes, it is my great pleasure to share some of the basic elements of frame-loom weaving. Included in this book are three different inexpensive ways to make your own looms as well as an overview of different types of fibers you might use based on your woven project. I share my design process as I sketch shapes and choose colors for each new piece and fill you in on how to avoid that dreaded hourglass shape. I also provide a selection of techniques for you to use as you discover your own unique weaving style.

If youre absolutely new to weaving, this project-based book will take you step by step through a few simple wall hangings to help you wrap your head around the basic process. Then each new project covers new steps and techniques. All you need to bring to the table is your enthusiasm (and a little patience), and youll end up with a piece youll actually want to hang in your own space. If you have been playing with warp and weft for years, its my hope this book inspires you to test your comfort zone and look for ways to reinvent the familiar things. Whether its incorporating an idea from another medium, such as embroidery or quilting, or subscribing to a new color story pulled straight from a home dcor blog, there are always opportunities to expand our current creative boundaries.

The best part about learning this medium is that you are joining a growing number of makers who have already set up their looms and are learning as they go. There are so many talented fiber artists teaching what they know and encouraging community through their social media platforms and pop-up workshops around the world. Weve come a long way from pot holders, friend! Im so excited and honored to be on this weaving journey with you.

Rachel

Frame-loom weaving is one of the more user-friendly mediums to explore because you dont need a lot of equipment to get started. My first woven wall hanging was made by nailing two rows of nails into the back of a salvaged cabinet drawer! I used inexpensive yarn from a thrift store and used my fingers to weave my design. Once I realized I had found my new favorite medium, I began to educate myself on the tools and materials available to frame-loom weaving so I could decide what was necessary for the next level of weaving I wanted to attempt. This chapter is a simple overview of the types of frame looms, yarns, and tools you may want to use in your weaving adventure.

All of the projects in this book will be made from one of three kinds of looms: a cardboard loom, a lap-sized frame loom, or an oversize standing frame loom. These are the most basic types of looms, but you can use them to produce beautiful flat-weave tapestries, wall hangings with tons of texture, and pieces that can be turned into utilitarian items such as a pillow, a clutch, or a rug.

The most basic looms consist of either a solid shape, such as a thick piece of cardboard, or a frame shape, with negative space in the center for easy access to the back of your woven piece. Some frame looms will have either notches or pegs along the top and bottom for your warp (the fiber that acts as the foundation of your woven piece). The weft is then woven horizontally across the warp on the front side of the loom.

You can also use a square or rectangle shape without notches and pegs, such as an actual picture frame, where your warp will wrap vertically over the top and bottom of the frame. This kind of warp will require twining, or the use of a tool such as a ruler or dowel, to help the warp threads come together again after theyve been separated by the top and bottom of the frame. Dont worry if none of that makes sense yet. Ill be sharing visuals for warping both kinds of frame looms, so you can decide which type best suits you.

With so many types of looms, how does one even choose where to start? Most of the looms youll use are chosen based on the type of project you want to make.

From front to back: Cardboard loom, adjustable frame loom, mini handmade loom on scrap wood, large handmade loom on scrap wood, oversize frame loom.

If youre interested in making a sampler while you work out the kinks, you might want to start with a smaller cardboard loom. Cardboard looms can be taken anywhere, help you experiment with warp and weft color before diving into a larger project, and are easy to customize depending on the size of your project. Plus, they wont cost you a thing if you decide to reuse a flap of the cardboard box from your latest online order. Just be sure your cardboard is thick, like a box youd send in the mail, and not like the cardboard from your favorite cereal box. If it bends too easily, your warp will lose its tension, and youll have a hot mess on your hands. Smaller weavings on a cardboard loom can easily be pulled out while youre waiting for your morning train, when youre in between classes, or when youre waiting to meet a friend for coffee.