Topic: Double-Sided Weaving

I will be discussing and demonstrating the weaving techniques that were used in the twofaced rug of “Wildflowers Return After The Fire”. I wove this Navajo-style Two-Faced Weaving using the pattern described in Noel Bennett’s in “Designing with Wool”, 1979, and with techniques taught by Navajo Master Weavers Gloria Begay and Jennie Slick at Weaving in Beauty, Mary Walker, Gallup, New Mexico. This rug was woven on my 4 ft x 7 ft Navajo style loom, with the warp traveling from the bar on the bottom front, over a high bar, and down to a bottom bar in the back, with tension applied on each of the three bars, and with 4 shed sticks. However, I will demonstrate the weaving techniques on a 16″ Little Sister Mirrix loom, fitted with 4 sheds (two Mirrix shedding devices). The weaving techniques include typical tapestry warping as described for the Mirrix loom, use of 4 sheds (set up as described by Noel Bennett), which allows a different weaving pattern on the front and the back of the weaving. I will describe the shed set-up for the two-faced weaving, the pattern design details, including use of techniques including “pick and pick” (Navajo Coalmine), “meet and separate” (for color blending), vertical slits (for horizontal lines), and picot finishing.

Speaker: Mary Napier

I began weaving in 2016 with an introduction to Navajo Weaving by Hanalore Cole, in Mountain View, CA. In addition to teaching me Navajo style weaving, Hanalore introduced me to Noel Bennett’s “Working with Wool” and “Designing with Wool”, which provided detailed instructions in Navajo weaving techniques. Later I participated in excellent workshops with Navajo Master Weavers Jennie Slick and Gloria Begay, with Mary Walker, Weaving in Beauty, Gallup, NM. As I expanded my interest in tapestry, I completed several online tapestry classes (Rebecca Metzoff, Kennita Tully and Elizabeth Buckley) and in person workshops (Carie Halver (Loom Dancers Odyssey), Tricia Goldberg and Elizabeth Buckley).

My weaving interest was initially focused on abstract, geometrical images and in combining techniques from tapestry and Navajo weaving, using single strand wood yarns. Recently I have been expanding my efforts into more landscape style designs. For these, I like using fine yarns such as Weavers Bazaar, which allows me to play with color blending by combining different colored yarns into single bundles for weaving. I have recently acquired a Leclerc Gobelin High-Warp 2-Shaft Tapestry Loom, and completed a very small tapestry. My goal is to weave a much larger piece as I continue to learn to use the loom. I am looking forward to many more workshops, meeting weavers and continuing to learn more about the art and science of tapestry.