Supplementary Weft

Today, while visiting the Eugene Textile Center, I got to see an example of a backstrap weaving. The curator did not know what country the textile came from, as it had been donated as part of a collector's estate.

She did assure me that it utilized a weaving technique I've been researching. The technique results in patterning similar to pick-up weaving and is called "supplementary weft."

Giant Bead Demo

Making paper beads has a bit of a learning curve for some people. I've noticed my Activities participants struggle with the triangular pieces of paper -- there can be difficulty rolling the paper onto the bead evenly.

Tomorrow I plan to have participants make oversized beads by wrapping 20" triangles around paper towel cores or size 35 knitting needles. This practice mimics using drinking straws or nails as support for paper beads.

Practice for wrapping a paper triangle evenly around a nail:  Size 35 knitting needle

Paper beads with drinking-straw cores can accommodate a fabric-tube necklace

These paper beads were originally wound on a small finishing nail

More practice pieces using very large cores and triangles

Large triangles used for practicing compared with the small triangles used to make actual beads

Hands

I'm preparing a card-making activity. Another activities volunteer at our PACE facility is ill, and collages reflecting her life's passion seem a good subject.

What better symbol of a woman's love of stitching and fabric than hands? They evaluate texture, they hold material, and they stitch, all while extending offers of community.