Underwood Textile Arts

The design process

I am often asked 'How long did it take you to weave that?'  That is a difficult question and I've never come up with a good answer.  Weaving is a process of creating a design.  This includes the weave structure, yarn weight, sett in the loom, and amount of yarn needed.  If the perfect yarn color can't be found then the dying must been done.  The next step is winding the warp, threading the loom, and checking for errors.  Samples are often made, washed, ironed and shrinkage checked.  When satisfied, then I begin the weaving process.  Weaving is actually the shortest part of the process for me. Once the weaving is done then the finishing starts.  Washing, ironing, hemming or twisting fringe, and applying a label. In a nut shell, it took me as long as it took. That is the best answer I can come up with.