The big news this month is that my video Dress Your Swedish Drawloom has finally been released. Anyone who is curious about what a drawloom is or who wants to know what to do with a drawloom they already have should be interested in this video. It explains in detail the setting up of a warp on several kinds of drawlooms. It also explains the differences between the shaft draw, single draw and combination systems to help the weaver choose which one is most suitable for their needs. The video is over two hours long and the cost is $50.00 plus $4.00 shipping fee.
After completing an invigorating year of 11 classes I’m looking foward to two months’ break. I’m tackling the daunting task of reorganizing all of my woven samples from 24 years of weaving so that any sample is easy to locate at the drop of a hat. It will also be a chance to focus on playing a bit more music and even take some kind of long-needed vacation.
Speaking of music, our contra dance band, The Moving Violations, has just released a new CD titled “Quick Spin.” It’s available from the band’s website themovingviolations.com, or you can purchase it (and other CDs I’m on) from me directly.
November 2004
My updated brochure is at the printer this week and will be sent to my mailing list upon completion. Dates for 2005 classes will be posted on this site at that time as well. I anticipate classes filling quickly, so register early to reserve a slot in a class.
The covers for the Swedish drafting book translation and the drawloom video are finished — now it’s just the finishing touches on what’s inside the covers left to go. I’m looking forward to completing these projects very soon.
[update 11/12/04]
The new schedule for 2005 classes is available. I’ve updated my class descriptions a bit and changed the names of some of the classes in the process. Check the brochure descriptions and feel free to ask me any questions. I expect some of these classes to fill early, so sign up as soon as possible to secure a spot in a class.
| Becky’s Väv Stuga invites you all to an open house Sunday November 28, 10:00 A.M.-6:00 P.M. There will be some yarn bargains as well as the usual books and equipment. There will even be some handwoven goods for sale. Included in these will be piles of handwoven scraps that have accumulated over the years which I’ll be selling for $10.00/pound. Come eat refreshments and socialize. |
October 2004
I hope to get a mailing out this month of my new brochure with next year’s class schedule. I will post the schedule on this website at that time as well.
I have been getting more and more colors in stock of cottolin (60% cotton, 40% linen) as well as many colors of 16/2 swedish cotton. More info on the yarns page.
It’s been a busy Fall, class-wise, with two rug classes coming up this month. The looms are full of linen and cotton rug warps and the house is filling up with pre-cut rags (from Sweden) and wool rug yarns of many colors.
September 2004
The big news this month is that you can now leave me messages via this website. I still prefer listening and talking to reading and typing, so telephone calls are always welcome. I have set up a voice mail service so you can always leave a message even if I’m on the line with someone else.
I have been enjoying weaving on my new 16-shaft Glimakra! The only new parts are actually the shafts, treadles, treadle beam, countermarch and lamms. These are mounted on my trusty old 150 cm loom.
A week at Balkan camp recently has left me exhausted and exhilarated. We all played music and danced into the wee hours of the morning.
August 2004
I’m delighted to offer Joanne Hall’s new book, Tying Up the Countermarch Loom, in my bookstore. Joanne has put years of experience and research into this book which is full of very clear diagrams and explanations.
My linen class last month got to witness the first harvest of this year’s flax crop. I’ve harvested a good batch of seeds so I can grow a larger field of the stuff next year. It’s been retting very well in this hot weather!
July 2004
The editing of my drawloom video has finally begun and will continue this month. The drafting book translation is nearly done. I anticipate the completion of both projects, drafting book and drawloom video, this summer.
My flax crop is doing well. Some plants have reached over 40″ tall. I plan to rett some green flax during my upcoming Linens Class this month. That should give a green cast to the linen yarn!
June 2004
A Class I has been added to the 2004 schedule. Its dates are September 19-25.
I have built a new library corner in my studio, since the books in the old weaving library were outgrowing the available shelf space — the old library shelves are becoming my weaving archives. I’ve started by cutting and serging 8.5″x11″ swatches of nearly 200 fabrics secured in seven 3″ binders. The project will continue with my napkin, placemat, and scarf samples next.
Editing of the drawloom video that we filmed in March has finally found a place on the calendar beginning June 30.
May 2004
I am placing an order to Sweden this month, so this is a good time to order any loom parts you’ve been thinking about. The next order to Sweden may not be until next fall.
A weak dollar against the euro is making the linen pricier. Also, higher shipping costs are not helping. Therefore, my web site pricelist reflects an increase.
Look for four new books in the bookstore. My bedspread project mentioned last month is from the Norwegian bedspread book. It still needs to be sewn together and washed.
April 2004
I’ve been concentrating heavily on drawlooms this month. I spent several days planning and filming a video on drawlooms, in addition to teaching two drawloom classes. The editing process has already begun on the video and I hope to have it available later this spring or summer. The pricelist for drawloom attachments is now available upon request.
Look for a few new offerings in the bookstore later this month. My two translation projects are still progressing at a modest rate.
I’ve started a new project based on idea in a book I bought on my recent trip to Sweden in February. I have warped a loom with a coverlet in the smålandsväv technique on eight pattern shafts. It uses an unusual loom setup: the loom has two plain-weave shafts at the back of the loom, and the pattern shafts with large eye heddles are hung on elastic bands at the front of the loom.
March 2004
The makers of Glimakra looms at Gunnar Anderssons Vävskedsfabrik in Oxberg Sweden welcomed us with open arms and a great factory tour, and Marianne left the office long enough to take us skiing on the Vasaloppet Trail. I can’t wait to use my new tie-up system on the 16-shaft loom they’re making for me. They are interested in knowing what direction Americans would like to see them go. Would changes to the equipment be welcome or not? Let me know what you think.
Next we traveled to Sunne where Karin, the maker of Myrehed drawloom attachments, also rolled out the red carpet for us. We spent a whole day absorbing wisdom from her about using her equipment. Her father invented these drawlooms as well as the U-shaped metal weight for the pattern heddles which she makes in the workshop at her parents’ house. This visit provides some good fuel from my upcoming drawloom video as well as for my March drawloom class (in which there are still a few openings).
What a privilege to be hosted for a night by Ulla Cyrus-Zetterström! This incredible woman of 90 studied Chinese at 70 and seemed pleased that I have republished her book Manual of Swedish Handweaving which she wrote well before I was born. This was a real honor we’ll never forget.
Last and far from least was the opportunity to visit my Swedish weaving teachers — Ingegärd Jannson, Astrid Axelsson, Greta Johansson and Marie Stålberg — to whom I owe so much. Every moment I teach weaving these women are near me, telling me what to do and what to say. I had the pleasure of expressing this fact to them and seeing their joy.
On the home front, we have now added a Publishing page to this site to track the multiple projects underway at Väv Stuga Press.
February 2004
The Väv Stuga office will be closed for two weeks mid-month while I am traveling in Sweden. I’ll be making many weaving-related stops.
Check the Store for the latest addition to this web site: I have added a price list for linen and cotton yarns from Holma-Helsinglands.
The translation of Väv Boken is ready for its third edit. The current English title is The Swedish Weaving Book: Planning, Loom Dressing, Finishes.
I’m transforming my looms into drawlooms this month in preparation for March classes and a video session. If all goes well I will present a new video later this year titled Introduction to Swedish Drawlooms.
January 2004
The Manual of Swedish Handweaving is back in print!!! I’m delighted to offer this as the first publication from Väv Stuga Press. You can read the details on my books page.
My second book project, Weave Structures the Swedish Way, is still in progress. The translation is done and is now being compiled with the graphics. The cover, a mosaic of colored woven swatches, is well on its way.
The rough translation of Väv Boken: Uträkning, uppsättning, montering complete and the first round of editing is underway. I’m still considering the English translation of the title, which will be something like The Weaving Book: Planning, Warping, Finishing.