Thursday, November 11, 2010

The Universe is a Wondrous Thing

I've mentioned before that I use to weave. That pretty much came to an end 15 years ago, when we moved to our current home. There simply was no adequate extra room to set up my big floor loom, and thus it went into storage. But lately I have been yearning to have the ability to weave again... nothing big or grand, just small swatches and patches of fabric to incorporate into my other textile work.


"All I need", I told my husband the other night, "is a small, 4 harness, table top loom... the kind that has little hand controls for operating the harnesses..."

So, imagine my surprise when a neighbor stopped by yesterday, with an old, small, 4 harness, finger controlled, table top loom table, asking if I might want it!?!


Turns out she had bought it a while back, but never got around to cleaning it, let alone figuring out how it worked. She realized that she never would, and remembered that once, a long time ago, I had mentioned that I use to weave.

It was covered in about an inch of dirt, dust and general grime, and still had part of an ancient weaving hanging from it... yet I could see that all of the parts were there, and happily accepted her wonderful gift. After an hour of lots of elbow grease and hard core scrubbing, plus a good dose of WD-40, she was ready to warp with a lovely cotton-linen thread, left over from my previous weaving days.


I wasn't sure how she would weave, but was delighted to find that 'ol rust, (that's what I'm calling her) keeps a beautiful tension, and is very easy to use!

Now, isn't the universe a wondrous thing?!

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P.S. If you are more interested in the quilting side of things, you can see my latest piece in the post below. xo

32 comments:

Regina said...

Wow! That's amazing! Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

Wow - that IS amazing! I've always wanted to learn how to weave, so I'll be interested to read your weaving posts as well as your quilting posts!

Michelle Engel Bencsko said...

This prompted me to go back to a comment I left some weeks ago where you remarked that weaving actually came before quilting. Well, I may not have called the right shot, but at least I was onto something. And here you are... weaving again. Of course!

Yes, it is more than fate that brought Rust to your door. That's some sort of energy at work. You've been leading yourself back to this and I can hardly wait to see what develops now that you'll readily have the ability to merge your two passions.

Fer said...

How wonderful!! Some things were just meant to be. :)

9patchnurse said...

Oh wow! Last summer I became fascinated with weaving. We went to the Outer Banks and saw a place called Endless Possibilities that gets clothing from thrift shops, tears it into strips, and weaves it into rugs, wallhangings, and even bags and totes. They have about a dozen large floor looms and anyone can go in and weave for a while. They sell the goods and the proceeds go to a charity. I was, and am, aching to get a loom. I stalked ebay for a while. Some of the weavings had button plackets or beads or other cool things in them. I can't wait to see what you do because I love your quilts so much. Have fun.

connie said...

It really is wondrous!!! I love your new little loom and I am envious you have her warped. I am still totally stumped on how to warp an attach the harnesses to my loom. Someday I to will find someone here in my area to help me. Enjoy ol rust. Oh, I posted a photo of a portion of my shot cotton piece with some stitching and would love hear what you think of it.

Have a great one!!!

Anonymous said...

I believe a phrase for this occasion would be "awesome-sauce!" Ah, serendipity, fate, luck, whatever you call it, the world is a wonderous place!

Karen Turner said...

What luck!

Unknown said...

Weaving is something I'll have to get to grips with next year - I too was given a small table loom but it only has 2 shafts, and will do me for starters, maybe someday I'll move up a 'gear' or two

Islay said...

Wow, what a great neighbour!

Looks lovely, I'm looking forward to seeing what else you make with it.

Wilma Lee said...

How lucky for you!!!! (Oh, your picture at the top of your blog reminds me of Janene Garafalo. Anyone ever told you that?)

Kim said...

Oh yes the universe is just a marvelous place!
Now will you stitch this patch onto a work quilt? The simple look of linen is just so inviting isn't it?

Happy sewing.....and weaving.

Missouri Bend Paper Works said...

What a wonderful bit of serendipity! That's a lovely little loom...happy weaving!

marjolijn said...

What a cute little table!

henny said...

Wow! miracle before christmas :)
Have fun creating!

Diane J. Evans said...

This is a perfect example of "The Secret," Victoria -- ask, believe, receive. You sent your wish out into the universe, and you were answered! Isn't that wonderful?! And I love the piece you're creating on the loom -- it's simply YOU.

Diane

soggybottomflats said...

Victoria, this is Karma...you really did deserve this wonderous gift. Good for you, take care, Elaine

kathryn said...

Love this story! My mom's loom is back in FL waiting for me to bring it out to CA. It's HUGE so it is unlikely it will ever happen. One day!

madder root said...

Lovely! I'm inspired to get my loom going again.

Peggy said...

I just chuckled when I read your post as I also have a full size floor loom in storage. How wonderful the table top loom found its way to your house. Have fun.

Karen said...

if anyone deserves such a generous gift it's you. I am certain you will get so much use out of this and then we can all enjoy gazing in wonder at the things you create with it!!

Munaiba said...

I used to weave too. I used to spin and then dye the wool and then weave but I haven't done it for years. That's a lovely sized loom you have there and it was obviously just waiting for you to "ask" for it.

XUE said...

I always think "Be careful what you wish for!" but in your case...wow, you sure know the right thing to wish for!

Hey Harriet said...

Wow! That's quite the score! It looks like a charming old piece of equipment and I can't wait to see what magic you and 'ol rust weave together!

Cheryl Arkison said...

Awesome! My sister-in-law's grandmother weaves and we've got a few of her pieces in the house. Such treasures.

Kirsten said...

What a blessing! I wish someone would bring me a little tig welder...

patty a. said...

What a wonderful gift! I am so glad you were able to get it up and running.

Anonymous said...

How we fall in love with out tools...such a wondrous thing. xox Corrine

Gloria Freshley Art and Design said...

Indeed! The world is a wonderous thing! And so is your newest quilted runner. And I look forward to seeing what weavings come forth from you and ol'rust! Best...

picciolo said...

What a crazy coincidence! If only all dreams came true like that
: )

Jackie said...

I had a huge floor loom once...it stood scaring me for a few years and I never used it, then I sold it. The same thing happened to the next person who bought it and the next..I lost track of it then! This is beautiful neat small and your work is beautiful.

Susan said...

Good news! I've been hoping to see you start weaving again. Good luck!