Woven Textile Designer, Handweaver
I am aiming to design and weave the largest piece of cloth I have attempted. Each warp end and weft pick is 3 strands of woollen yarn. Tension is a challenge as I am using 3 different yarns, each with its own ‘character’ as well as colour.
Warp number 2 in this project. Using multiple strands as one end (warp thread) and as one pick (weft pass).
I used 3 strands instead of one thicker one, all going through one heddle and in one dent in the reed. Although the white yarn appeared quite fluffy, it wove without problem to my relief. For a single cloth (as opposed to double-cloth) it was interesting to observe the different feel of the various weave structures; the hopsack giving a thicker and more robust cloth.
My application for a bursary to attend this course with Caron Penney was successful. We worked through a series of exercises which covered the core techniques of traditional tapestry weaving. Tapestry produces a weft faced cloth, where all the warp is covered, however it is experience (or trial and error) that the number of strands of wool used in each weft is chosen; if the weft is too thick it will not cover the warp, which is the opposite of what logic tells you!
Last week I travelled up to Saltaire for the Exhibition and Award ceremony. It was great to see the diversity of the submissions.
For each section the winning entries and commendations were projected onto a screen then the winners went up to receive their awards from the sponsors of each section. I received my award, then at the end I was called up again to receive a further unexpected award, the Campaign for Wool Award from Bridgette Kelly. 
I was thrilled to be awarded 2nd place in the British Wool Section of the Bradford Textile Design Competition 2014. My design for a blanket fabric was handwoven using the fabulous Shetland woollen yarns supplied by the British Wool Marketing Board. For more images of my designs, go here
The loom sections fitted (just) into the back of my car, from which the rear seats had been taken out. Only one slight problem – no reed!
I have arranged to collect this lovely old loom from Somerset on Sunday. I have seen it in pieces in a garage, and hope that it will go back together for me! From my observations (and with a certain lack of experience in such matters) I think it is an 8 shaft, counter march loom.
rebecca connolly design 