Thursday, August 26, 2010

Fair Scarves

Diana Abrell wove a gorgeous scarf from a rather complicated turned taquete draft.  It was a blue ribbon winner and the judge was convinced that it was woven on a multishaft loom.  Actually, Diana wove it on her 8 shaft Mighty Wolf - and isn't it lovely!

Carol Phillips knit one scarf and wove another for a couple of interesting entries.  The knitted scarf is all handspun yarn - Golden Retriever/wool.  The other scarf is rayon chenille, however this is no ordinary chenille scarf.  It is double weave and Carol wove the fringe using two fishing line selvedges a few inches from the body of the scarf.  Very original and  interesting scarf.


Then there was the shawl/throw that Carol wove from the Golden Retriever/wool handspun yarns.  It is a lovely piece destined to be given to the owner of the Golden Retriever; a keepsake to remember a beloved pet.

And then there was Dee's scaf designed with "Big Pond" painting in mind seen here sporting a nice red ribbon!

Next post - towels and table runners!

Monday, August 23, 2010

Exhibitors and their handwoven entries.

I thought that followers of our blog might like to see a few of our smiling faces.  Ingrid shared these photos with me, all taken at the Nevada County Fair. 
This is Sue Habegger along with her handwoven top.

Here's Gus Young showing off her handspun/handwoven silk top.

Marcy Elliott with one of her great towels.  I just love the pattern in this one.

And Ingrid Knox, with a white on white towel from her loom.


Thursday, August 19, 2010

Nevada County Fair 2010 - Blue Ribbon Winners

The Not 2 Square Weavers did themselves proud at the Nevada County Fair.  Ingrid took lots of photos and tried to identify all of them so that I could give credit where it is due.  There were lots of blue ribbons and I'm not going to get all of them into one post, but I'll start with some of the big winners.

Dee Jones Best of Show vest.  Handwoven with a hand painted lining.  Just gorgeous, and obviously the judge thought so as well.

Ingrid's handwoven linen runner (canvas weave) won a blue ribbon in the bast fibers category.  Her mother cross stitched the Egyptian figures on the runner.  A stunning piece.

Betsy Abrams won a first place on her overshot wall hanging.  Glorious design work.

Sue Habegger won a blue ribbon for her colorful top. What fun this would be to wear. 
Gus got a first on this decorator pillow - deflected double weave face and plain weave back. 

Sue Robertson's first prize art skein.  Hand dyed soy silk and sewing thread.  I wouldn't mind having this skein in my stash!


Gus has another blue ribbon on the handwoven shawl in the foreground.  The weft is handspun mohair.

Many more pictures to come. 

Sunday, August 08, 2010

Treasures from the loom



Sue R entered this perfect little purse in the Nevada County Fair.  I haven't heard if she won any prizes with her entry, but this gem certainly deserved a blue ribbon.  The front of the purse shows the flower done in knotted pile.  The back is a plain weave extension of the knotted pile front.  The band is cardwoven.   A tour de force of craftsmanship and attention to detail.

Betsy shared a couple of her handwoven scarves with the group at the last meeting.  On the same warp, she wove a table runner and beat it harder so that it would be a firmer piece for the table.  This was given as a wedding gift (lucky couple), so we don't have the benefit of seeing it here.  Isn't it amazing what can be done on a single warp!