What to DO when you DON'T love your project
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ต.ค. 2024
- Let's face it - you will have a project you don't love. It happens to all of us. You start strong with stars in your eyes, and then begin deflating as you realize your plans aren't exciting you. At all.
You don't love the colors, the fibers, the pattern - whatever it is, it's simply not encouraging you to sit down and throw your shuttle. You're stuck and all progress has stopped.
Is that the end? Do you wander off in search of a new craft? Do you move the loom into the garage and shift the dining room table back into its place?
Nope! Weaving is too important to shrug off because of a less-than-thrilling project. Tune into this important episode that will get you back on the weaving bench, and tossing your shuttle in order to make some weaving magic. Keep going, my friend. You can do it.
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As a long time Crocheter (63 years, started when I was 8 years
Old). I can relate to your frustration
Wow!! That is such an impressive history with a single artform! Brava!!
YES! this is me, right now. I tried doing a clasped weft and I loathe it. I hate the technique, the colours suck, and I've gotten too far into it that I can't unweave it (easily), and I'm annoyed that I wasted so much warp for crap I don't even like!!! The problem is fundamental, instead of doing a solid warp, I split it down the middle with two different warps. I might have to bite the bullet and cut it off.
As an additional point to your awesome list, I would add "Sometimes, you have to be OK with just letting it go"
Absolutely, David! I hope you can find a way to pivot on your project, or a way to let it go!!
This is good advice, thanks! I am glad you included the “cut it off” option, too. Very rarely is that the option that is needed, but when it is, it is good to remember that it is all just string. If a bunch of string is causing such angst, cut it off and move on! Life is too short for a weaving project you don’t enjoy.
Oooh, amen Sue Anne!!
In my short weaving life, I have only had this happen once. A couple of days after I stopped, I stood looking at my loom. I heaved a deep breath and said, "OK this is now a sampler." I tried different yarn. Since it was a table loom, I didn't have to change my tie-up. But I did change my pattern. I made a little alteration here, "better but not great." I tried another alteration, and a light bulb came on and a choir of angles started to sing. I gave the pattern one slight tweak and the end result became one of my best creations. 🥳🎉🎊
Oh, how I love your story!!! This is precisely what I'm talking about! A perfect example!
Greetings from South Australia! I am a less-than-a-year floor loom weaver and have already had a few 'don't love projects'. I use them to practice some other alternative patterns and ideas but then the big chop-chop happens! And ... thanks for taking the time and expense to share your weaving knowledge in a professional and friendly manner. One day I will join the 'live at the loom session', unfortunately, it is live at crazy-o'clock Australia time. Bless ya!
How exciting! Australia - that's amazing!! Thank you so much for the note! I'm so glad you're here!
My only contribution is that sometimes you may hate what’s going on with your loom but you can find some other sucker to take the finished fabric off your hands so you can learn from it and move on. In my case it’s my sister. Our tastes are polar opposites and she’s so cheap she’ll take anything for free. 😂😂
It's very true that we all have different tastes! For sure!!
Great story. Yep, I was here recently.
You are like the weaving therapist. Such good advice. Thank you so much for this mental unblocking lesson.
Ahh, I like that! Thank you!
Yes got a ‘dog’ on my loom, hate the ski shuttle with the wool on it, hate the dark blue warp…
Oooh,been there! When it feels like nothing quite goes together. Yep, I see you, my friend!!
Good advice! Thanks!
Finish it, and over dye it. Maybe the problem was just the colors. Maybe your scarf sucks as a scarf, but would make an amazing table runner if if was a better color for your dining room. Maybe your colors that all look too similar would be great dip dyed. Color fixes a lot.
Wet finishing also makes a lot of difference with some fabrics. Your colors that look too strong next to each other might look amazing if you brush out the fabric a bit and felt it slightly. Maybe you can boil the fabric you wove that came out too loosely to make something tighter. There's so much you can do.
Great ideas! Thank you!
I am rather new to weaving still I have got stuck. I cut the warp and redid the "heddle plan" on one, another i changed the tredling, Now I have a work in progress as the weavers guild, old warp.. more later on that, I was to make a pillow, I wove 5 inches and did not enjoy the flowers so I decided to make a table runner adding a beach, sea, sky and sun then reversing.. I am now one inch further and I see the treads in the warp is showing signs of breaking, right at the weft.. in the middle.. no,there is no hourglass shape (not much I think)) so now I guess I can remove weft so we can mend the warp yarns. My learning curve is rather straight up ;) Thank you Chris for your inspiration to play and enjoy weaving, I like letting my fantasy have fun.
Anne, it sounds like you have a very healthy approach to weaving! Keep going, my friend!
Love this video!
Thank you!
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Very helpful! This is what is happening right now! I’m off to find some fluffy yarn!
You've got this!!
I needed this, thank you
I'm so glad it was helpful!!
Good morning from Alberta Canada
Hi, Sandra!! Have a wonderful day!!
I'm there right now. I'm really mad because this is the first time I didn't make one threading error. I have to figure out what to do with this mess.
Oh Karla, I feel you! But you get huge props for an accurate dressing of the loom no matter how the fabric turns out! Yay you!!!
Change the color of the weft. Helped me a lot on echo weave. My warp colors were too close☹️
A perfect suggestion! Thank you!
I just w what I have..lol. and turn it Into what ever when it comes off the loom
Email Chris with what the heck happened and figure out the problem. LOL
Ha!! Yep, that works too!!