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Sunday, August 2, 2015

2015 SAMPLE TWO – SHADOW WEAVE

Information about our bulletin sample submitted by : Pat Zannier
Thank you to Pat for submitting and writing the article and to Nancy for weaving it!

A regular twill, i.e. one without skips, is a good basis for a Shadow Weave draft. For this sample, the Atwater Shadow Weave method was used. This works on the principle of using a DARK end for each thread of the original draft. Accompanying each DARK warp is a LIGHT end which is threaded on the opposite shaft. (Opposite of shaft 1 is shaft 3; Opposite of shaft 2 is shaft 4, opposite of shaft 3 is shaft 1, opposite of shaft 4 is shaft 2.) Here is the original “M&W” twill threading, woven as drawn in:

Following is the above twill draft re-written. The DARK ends follow the basic draft, with the addition of an extra end at each reversal or turning point, plus an empty space is left between each DARK end.

The next step is to add the LIGHT ends. First, determine the direction of the twill line, either ascending or descending (see arrows over the draft). The LIGHT ends are inserted on the opposite shaft of the DARK end, but will precede or follow the DARK end according to direction of draft. Use this chart for placement of LIGHT end. Note, dark is always the same as original twill draft, the LIGHT ends either precede or follow the DARK ends:

LIGHT DARK LIGHT

DESCENDING ORDER ASCENDING ORDER
(light end precedes dark) (light end follows dark)
3 1 3
4 2 4
1 3 1
2 4 2



Adjustments at turning points: First, an extra DARK end was added at each turning point in the original twill draft. To keep the symmetry of the DARK / LIGHT order, when inserting the LIGHT ends at the turning point either add or delete a LIGHT. When changing from Ascending to Descending, use only one light end between the two darks. When changing from Descending to Ascending, there will be three light ends to accompany the two DARK ends. Always keep the DARK / LIGHT order and be consistent when making adjustments at the turning points.
Here is the complete “As Drawn In” draft showing DARK & LIGHT ends:
It is difficult to see the threading and treadling pattern with this type of computer draft. I usually write or print out the original draft with the extra ends at the turning points to get the threading for the DARK ends, leaving a space between each end. Then I write in the LIGHT ends with a pencil or different colour:
With this method, the pattern of both the DARK and the LIGHT ends is clearly visible and logical.

To weave, use the standard tie up. The above draft starts with DARK on shaft 1 = DARK pick lifting shafts 1&2. Next, LIGHT on shaft 3 = LIGHT pick lifting shafts 3&4, etc.

Alternate two shuttles, DARK and LIGHT throughout and treadle as drawn in to get the “M & W” pattern. If the pattern is written out and DARK and LIGHT ends marked clearly it is easy to weave with above tie up as feet will alternate from left to right.

Any twill treadling draft without skips can be used with good results. Follow same procedure as with the threading, first writing out the treadling pattern adding extra ends at the turning points, leaving a space between each dark pick, drawing in ascending or descending arrows and then filling in the LIGHT ends according to the chart.

Nancey Orosz was the weaver of this sample.