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tapestry techniques
slit
This is a vertical opening where two areas
come together, usually different colored areas.
When weaving in two areas with your weft,
the yarns are woven in different directions,
one side going L to R, and the other side going
R to L, meeting the edge of each color, then
on the next row turning and weaving in the
opposite direction, going away from each
other. The slit that results may be left open
or it can be sewn together, depending on
your design. Sewing is usually done at the
completion of the tapestry, unless it is a long
slit, and then I recommend you sew it up
carefully as you weave.
Be careful not to pull wefts too tight as this
can cause the gap to open wider.
diagonal
A nice way of moving a shape in your weft
with no interlocking or slit.
Simply move the one of weft colors over
1 or 2 warps threads, while moving another
the same way.
You may weave one or several rows before
moving yarns over again, depending on the
pitch of the slope desired.
interlocking
A joining of yarns vertically by interlocking the
weft threads when weaving pattern, so that
there is no gap or slit forming.
Be careful to join these yarns cleanly, using
the same weight of yarns, so no loop or lump
forms at the joining, and not too tightly
connected that the yarn pulls. Remember
to loop your yarn in small hill shapes when
bringing it across the warp.
weaving wisdom
114
Alpacas
Magazine