Collection: MAFA 2023 Towel Exchange

MAFA2023-014

This is actually a variation of the above draft. I was inspired by similar variation I’d seen in a Facebook weaving group. I loved the way she had highlighted one repeat of the design instead of repeating it across the whole towel – she had also turned the whole thing however since this was my first step away from using a warp “recipe” I decided not to attempt that. The designing experience was… humbling. I learned a lot of what not to do – but luckily I got there in the end and I’m really pleased with the finished product.

The finished towels were machine washed in warm water and dried on high heat. Then pressed and hems hand sewn.

The attached draft only accounts for the center. Repeat the first 15 ends as needed to center the threading in your warp.

MAFA2023-013

This was the first project I wove on my first loom, an older 12-shaft Macomber that took me over 9 months to refurbish. The towels turned out better than I had hoped, so of course I put them away “for posterity”. I couldn’t bear to let my husband misuse / stain them! Now, many weaving successes and failures later, I realize how silly that was, so I’m giving them away.

MAFA2023-009

410 warp ends total. 408 for pattern, plus one extra at each selvedge. Draft adapted for cotton instead of linen/cotolin.

Woven using picks of sewing thread at each end to create fold lines for the hem. Sewing thread was removed prior to turning and sewing hem by machine.

Warp was standard 8/10 cotton, unmercerized.

Weft was 10/2 Peru Naturtex Partners 100% organic cotton.

MAFA2023-008

This pattern is based on a draft that Robyn Spady sent me for my participation in her MAFA 2023 class ‘Pictures, Piles, Potpourri, and Perplexing Curiosities.’ She titled the structure “Better Than Basket Weave Basket Weave.”

I used two threads for each floating selvage. After taking off the loom, I serged the ends of each towel, folded the hem, and used the ‘stitch in the ditch’ technique with a straight stitch.

Very enjoyable to weave!

MAFA2023-010

The wider stripes in the warp are randomly placed, as is the order of the 4 pinstripe colors throughout. The warp is 506 threads plus 4 FS, 2 on each side.
The weft repeats two more times, using a different color pattern (Chambray/Denim/Natural) of Plain Weave and reversed the treadling of the Balanced Twill in the middle section. The third section matches the first section. I designed and wove so each section was section 11″ on the loom.
Edges were a struggle given the different draw in of PW and Twill. Two Floating Selvedges on each side helper keep the edges neat but not straight.
Chambray Blue is the only actual color that matches between warp and weft.
Colors used were all Maurice Brassard.
Warp: Chambray, Jeans, Honey and Creme. Weft: Chambray, Natural, Juane and Denim.
I used 20/2 Cotton in Natural to weave 1.5″ on each end for a less bulky hem.
Finished size is 20″ wide by 28.5″ long.

MAFA2023-006

455 ends – 1 end 6/2 and 2 ends 20/2 per dent in 8 dent reed.
Warp: white thick, white thin
Weft: blue thick, white thin
Used Bluegrass Mills 6/2 cotton from Woolery for thick warp and weft and UKI 20/2 for thin warp and weft.
Used floating selvedges.
Several other patterns on same threading from her book that I plan to try next.
Also want to try using a colored thin weft.
Pattern shows much better after washing and pressing.

MAFA2023-002

I made a few small changes to the draft (especially the tie-up, so I could walk the treadling) but none of my changes alter the result in any significant way and credit for this design belongs fully with Ms. Hall.

This towel used 368 ends and was woven on a Glimåkra Standard. It was 143 grammes after hemming but before wet finishing. I wove with the weft threads wetted.

In the reed it was 15 .25″.
Off the loom it was 15″ and trimmed to 33″ in length. After hemming it was 15″ x 31.5″
After wet finishing it is 14.5″ x 30.75″