Oh I just hate when this happens. I made a mistake. It isn’t a huge mistake in the total scheme of things, no one died, but it is a mistake nevertheless, and I want to correct it. Problem is, I made the mistake a number of years ago. And I just found the mistake. Which means a couple hundred or so monographs, handouts, PDF files, blog posts and any number of assorted communications from me are wrong. Bummer…
It involves a weaving draft. This is a draft I wrote a number of years ago. Probably back in 2006. And I kept cutting and pasting said draft into anything that required it. So, anyone who purchased my monograph on Transparency, the Theo Moorman technique, has a draft that isn’t correct. Anyone who has been doggedly trying to figure out how I weave the postcards I keep showing in my blog, has an incorrect draft. Anyone who printed out that lengthy PDF I graciously provided on my website, compiling all the blogs that referenced the postcards, has an incorrect draft. Bummer…
I spent the better part of yesterday afternoon (I’m much better from my bout with the flu thank you), trying to trace back all the places where the errant draft is hiding. What’s really odd to me, is that no-one questioned it or found the obvious error. Which means no one has actually read the draft and tried the technique. Which could mean they really aren’t interested, but that doesn’t jive with the comments and letters I receive, or it means that no one has gotten around to actually setting up their loom, which is a good thing, so I can intercept anyone about to attempt to weave these little puppies. The threading on the draft is fine. It is the treadling. It doesn’t make any sense. I stared at the draft, while doing some updates to the Transparency Monograph yesterday, and couldn’t believe the idiot that wrote it. 🙂 (The idiot being me of course).
All this has lead me to entertain the idea of offering an actual weaving workshop, requiring looms (which I’ve never done before) and have students weave a personal photo on their actual looms. I haven’t figured out the logistics yet, and am not in a position this exact moment to actually figure it all out, since I’m down to the last week and a half before I leave for the April round of conferences, but I’ve had so many inquiries on how to actually do these, that I’m thinking this isn’t such a bad idea. I’m always looking for new workshops to offer. Feel free to comment if it is something you think your guild would enjoy. Probably a two day workshop.
Meanwhile, how to fix my mistake.
For those who have any of the above mentioned printed materials with the incorrect draft, here is a link to a PDF of the corrected draft.
For those who wish to purchase my now corrected and updated Transparency Monograph, click here. I put a new cover on the updated monograph to tell it from the old version, with the incorrect draft. It has step by step instructions, extracted from the blog post of how to weave the post cards.
For those who wish to view a PDF of all the related blog posts that pertain to the weaving of the Postcards I frequently blog about, the PDF has been corrected and can be downloaded here. I also corrected the original blog post that started it all from February 2009. Online archives are a wonderful thing…
For those who don’t have any of the above and are curious on what all the fuss is about, here is the draft. There should be five rows (an uneven amount) of plain weave under each fabric strip, not four. So alternating fabric strips are held down with alternating sets of tie down threads. That isn’t possible with only an even amount of plain weave rows under each strip. Duh…
Do you still love me?
Yes!
We’ll always love you.
I never had the courage to try painting a warp before I read your blog. Now I have a beautiful warp-painted skirt that always gets compliments. Now that summer is coming (at least here in the South) my father needs a cotton bathrobe. He’s getting a handwoven warp painted one! The finished fabric is on my blog (I’m not posting a picture of the robe until I give it to him in a few days).
Keep the inspiration coming. Mistakes are always forgiven.
Not only did you find your mistake, (everyone makes ’em!) but something wonderful is coming from recognising it, learning and helping others as well….that is truly enriching. So, I’d say that our mistakes when faced(our learning curves) mean a richer world for those who are prepared to face “mistakes” and go on victorious and very much loved and lovable by the way for its easy to love someone humble. God bless you.
I like the workshop idea. I have done a little Moorman, but not tried the cut and reconstruct idea. Sign me up. Ooooo….I just got an idea I will have to try. You are definately inspirational.
I think my guild would love to have a workshop on your picture weaving. Think Orlando in the winter next year or at the end of this one!
Actually Jamie Jo, Orlando has already booked me for January 2012, we haven’t decided on the topic yet!
Recognizing mistakes is what makes us human. I don’t think I questioned your draft just went to another reference. Besides it was the threading I wanted. A workshop is always fun.
Of course we do. It just means that although we have purchased and downloaded all of the above, and looked at/read them, and wondered just how that works, we either haven’t gotten out the loom, or, more likely, are too intimidated by printing the fabric, to tackle it yet. We need that workshop…it is the one I keep looking for you to have!
Oh Orlando, I am going to talk to the workshop person and see if you want to come to Sarasota in 2012. would love to take another workshop from you. hugs. By the way yes I still love you.
Let me know details on Orlando, when you get them. Would love to take a class again with you.