Pin Woven Pillow

In my previous posts on pin weaving I explained how to make a pin weaving board and showed a weaving project in process. To finish your new ‘fabric’ when you have filled your pin weaving board with your weavings, it is time to steam and remove it from the board.

As all the yarns I used are wool I want to shrink them into a mat with a hot iron and steaming while the weaving is still on the pins. Spray with water and press – straight up and down – and let cool and spray and press again. Leave it to cool and dry on the pins before pulling the pins out of the board. I used glass headed silk pins which are very thin. Most of them bent beyond reuse so I recommend sturdy pins without plastic tops. Though the chances of melting a pin head while pressing is low if your pins extend from the weaving board surface, you don’t want to deal with plastic stuck to your iron sole plate in the middle of pressing.

Turn the weaving over and repeat the spraying and pressing then let it cool and dry flat. I used a silk Organza pressing cloth to reduce the chance of burning the wool.

Cut a piece of iron-on interfacing slightly smaller than the weaving. I used a black interfacing used for needlework backing from the local JoAnn’s. I can’t find it on their website. Iron on the interfacing on the backside of your weaving. Make sure to let it cool flat before continuing.

Cut the weaving into a square. Save the longer cuttings for another project. I used a serger to cut and finish the edges at the same time.

I decided to use my woven fabric for a pillow cover. I made the solid wool backing from recycling a wool woman’s blazer that I cut apart and felted. Sewing three of the sides I attached large snaps to the fourth side so I could remove it from the pillow insert for cleaning. When putting this much time and effort into a pillow cover, spend a little more and get a quality pillow form.

The ironing of the wool does change the fuzziness of the yarns which I like. Before constructing the pillow cover I use a battery powered WAHL  pet shaver to remove the fuzzy surface. This tool is also perfect for shaving accumulating fuzz, but be careful to use the guard and keep the shaver parallel to the surface to not cut into the fabric.

Sew the pillow together at three sides and attach the fourth side as you desire. I use this pillow daily and it holds up very well though it deserves to be treated as an heirloom.

Pin Weaving With Hand Spun and Hand Dyed Wool Yarns

The Wood Stove Collection of hand spun wools which I dyed last winter were the basis for this Pin Weaving project… Continue Reading…

Weaving serenity from the cold.

The overwhelming urge to hibernate through the winter is lessening with the daily increase of sunlight.

I’ve been by the woodstove dyeing, spinning and pin weaving as well as knitting Alpaca hats through the last few months.

I can smell spring in the air and the perennials are poking their heads through the ground. This year I will garden…beginning with cleaning up the debris from last fall once the snow and  mud have cleared away and the warming winds of spring kiss my face.

Fryeburg Fair: Showstopping Farm Animals

Alpaca at the door.

Winter is around the corner, and now is the time to plan for the cold weather by knitting a luxurious Alpaca sweater or shawl.

Spinning on a summer day

I taught myself to spin with a home made drop spindle. It takes patience and plenty of interest in the subject to keep going and improve your drawing and spinning capabilities.

When starting on my antique spinning wheel I was unable to treadle and draw the Alpaca top fast enough. This is akin to patting your head and rubbing your tummy at the same time.

I’ve come a long way in spinning singles and plying, but there is always something new to learn.