Articles
The Making of a Handwoven Towel
by Linda High
As with most of my creative endeavors the beginnings of my towels start with an inspiration. It may be an historic weaving draft from a 19th century weaver. Or a classic weave structure that begs to be tweaked in a modern way. Or the play of light and colors in a natural setting. A shell found on the beach. Or simply a gift of a kitchen bowl with homey colors that inspire a new towel.
I would like to show you how that inspiration becomes a towel through the process of handweaving. Most weaving begins with the drawing up of a weaving draft. This is where the actual weave structure, the interlacement of the threads, is designed. What was once a very tedious and time-consuming process is now made easier, like many things, by the use of a computer and specialized weaving software. What is most fun is that it enables weavers to try out many more complex designs and greatly expands our creative reach.
In drafting this design I have had to plan which warp threads (those that run from the front to the back of the loom) will be lifted and lowered by which harnesses. I need to decide which harnesses will work together in combination to make my pattern. And the treadling plan for the order that the harnesses will be lifted. This is a very simple twill that requires only four harnesses but the design becomes interesting when colors cross and blend.
The original idea for the project will usually give me a few choices for materials. In this instance a medium weight cotton makes an absorbent and easy care towel. But part of the fun is choosing colors. I started with a natural for the main color. And terra cotta for the small stripe. But which green? Field green or the darker green? When in doubt I will group the colors together, leaving them someplace where I’ll glance at them from time to time. Sooner or later they’ll make up my mind. In this case the field green won out.
And now I need to make my warp. From my draft I’ve calculated that I’ll need 12,840 yards of the natural, 1,980 yards of field green, and 1,020 yards of terra cotta to wind a warp that is 30 yards long to weave approximately 28 towels. Lots of math in weaving!
And we’ll soon show you where all this thread goes.
