Notes from Weaving 101 – December, 2008 -  Judy Larsen, Instructor

COLOR IN WEAVING -  Look at Color without color theory.

Weaving Products  - Many Elements considered

1. Texture – Fiber – U se

2. The most fun and first choices is COLOR

3. Colors can make plain weave look complicated/ add sparkle or enhance your wardrobe/ accent your décor.

4. You can use color in patterns, stripes, contrast, 3 or 4 colors repeated in order or randomly.  Use in warp, weft or both.

5. Can apply it with paint, dye, or remove it.

You can blend threads, create shadows, use high contrast or little contrast.

How do you chose colors? 

1. Colors do you like

2. Colors that you wear

3. Colors in your home decor

4. Colors from your favorite places….Garden? Bath tub?  Beach?

5. Colors that make you feel happy (influence emotions)   Colors may also reflect your emotions.

6. Colors from you favorite painting, photo,

Colors that are in style or reflect your age

I think what we are looking for today is some ‘sure’ ways to make colors work.  How to avoid a color disaster… 

1. Different people like different colors  - your choice may not be a disaster for everyone  (a project may become a gift). People also perceive colors differently.

There are two ways to avoid disaster:  One is to copy something you have seen/the other is to sample…  I don’t recommend the first as a common technique.

 

Beginner and not so beginner:  Some  Rules of Thumb

If using a multi colored warp for a scarf or clothing…Put a little of the weft color in the warp to connect the two or chose warp that has some color of the weft.

Black makes colors ‘pop’  Grey subdues the color

A little yellow goes a long way…differing shades of yellow may work differently.

 Remember that space dyed yarns might create a diagonal pattern in your weft. Use that favorite ball of multi colored yarn or space dyed yarn with some solid colors.   If you like the pattern the weft is making be sure to wind the succeeding shuttle the same direction the firs was wound. .

Choose colors in daylight

Weave colors you like for a relaxing time

Weave colors you don’t normally like for a challenge and make them work for you or someone near you.

Sure Thing Color, A Fun Color Wrap Exercise:

  Materials needed:  3x5 cards, scissors, yarns/embroidery floss of many colors, double sided tape

1. Chose a photo or print of a painting for color inspiration.

2. Look only at the colors, not necessarily the amount of color

3. Chose at least three colors you see in the picture/print.  Look carefully at the shades using a photo or picture as an inspiration.

4. Make a wrap on a 3x5 with fibers of these colors. Hold the fibers in place with double sided tape. Match them to your picture

Share with other participants.  WOW!

Other Considerations/Questions:

1. In the warp wrap, you are not considering what happens to the colors when the weft interacts with the warp.

2. You could consider amount or proportion of color using the picture.

3. You could use paint color cards samples for color combos.

4. You can use any multi-colored yarn, fabric, landscape, flower, etc. as an inspiration for your wrap.

5. You are guaranteed to see colors differently when you make a wrap.

6. If you use a photo or a print the colors will be right for the artist has already put them together for you.

Keep a notebook of colors.  Include photos, ads from magazines, fabric, pressed flowers, anything with colors that interest you.