Ribbons

Finally we got a computer. So now I’m able to blog again, so here is a new entry.
Last Labor day weekend I had entered a handwoven doily in the Great Allentown Fair. My thought was I will give it a try and see if I get a ribbon. I also noticed that there were no woven items to speak of in any of the categories. So we have two opportunities one to show that people do still hand weave and the second was to try and get a ribbon.

Last year my intent was to enter about five pieces, that of course never happened so I only entered the doily and it won a blue ribbon. Pretty cool for the first time out he he…
So after that boost of confidence I decided to enter some new pieces this year. I was only able to get three items done. The first was the loom fitted vest that you all saw (it was one of my first blog entries). The second was a table runner or scarf and the final one is a wall hanging.

The vest only got a third place ribbon. Something I really didn’t think about in the category was the sewing part. So my detective mind is saying I got that ribbon because there was very little sewing. Well that and the judge wrote a note saying the piece was very interesting but very little sewing. The table runner got a second place ribbon this year, there wasn’t a not from the judge so I have no clue why I only got second. But I will say it beats anything under that, so I’ll keep the second place ribbon on that one. The final piece was the wall hanging this one I got a fifth place. While I was at the fair checking to see if I received any ribbons. When I got to this section I noticed that all the other entries where quilt’s except for a couple of embroidery pieces and of course my piece. So I think I really screwed that one up. In my defense there was no explanation or definition of what a wall hanging was. So all in all I had three entries and three ribbons, it’s all a learning experience and I now have a first, second, third and fifth place ribbon. So next year I will try again.

We have a vest people

Yeah!!!! Woo ho!!!!! YES!!!!! Happy dance!!!!!!!!!! I love it when things work out the way they are supposed to. O if you are trying to figure out what is he talking about my vest is done and it fits. Happy, happy, happy.

Front of the vest.



Back of the vest.

My main concern after it was washed that it would shrink too much. The way it did for the first two wool vests. The actual shrinkage for the vest is a little off from what I used by 1 % for length and no difference in the width. Never the less it fits well and looks good and I like it.

Getting Closer

I got the fabric for the vest done. I took off yesterday so I finished weaving it today. For anyone that is unfamiliar with loom fitted garments that means the vest is one piece of fabric. That way you have very little to no cutting and have only side seams to sew. This is how a lot of clothing first got created and in some places in the world still is.

These pictures are of the fabric still on the loom from Saturday when I started weaving it.

This picture is the fabric done and off the loom.

Now I have it soaking in wash water to wet set (shrink) it. Before I did that I draped the fabric over me to see if it was wide enough and long enough and it was. Since this is made of a hundred percent wool I have it in cold water so there should be a normal amount of shrinkage I’m hoping. After I finish washing and drying the fabric I will finish off the vest. So hopefully I will have a wearable and fitting loom fitted vest. I will let everyone know hopefully tomorrow.