Cheryl Bellin, Methow Valley Spinners and Weavers, Winthrop, WA
Winner: Committee’s Choice
Name/Description: Pullover shirt
Made For?: Woman
Size: S
Fabric Construction: Woven
Fabric Construction – Other: Hand stitching
Woven Structure: 8 shaft twill using straight draw treadling using a baby wolf loom
Yarn Details and SETT: Warp was a mix of variegated slub rayon, 10/2 mercerized cotton and 8/2 tencel sett at 24 ends per inch. Weft was 8/2 tencel for teal shirt. A second shirt was woven with 8/2 rayon for an olive green shirt. It is interesting to compare the two completed garments from the same warp.
Handspun Details:
Stitches: Edges were sewn together by hand using a Back Stitch and shoulder seams joined using a Blind Stitch.
Special Treatments: Buttons were sewn through both layers at the bottom of the neck opening.
Textile Finishing: Fabric was washed in cool water with dawn soap, rinsed and blotted dry with a towel and line dried. Fabric was spritzed and pressed prior to cutting. All unfinished edges were zigzagged prior to cutting the fabric to stabilize the edges.
Textile Challenges: Accurately selecting warp width for a good fit after take up and shrinkage given garment is constructed using finished fabric from selvedge to selvedge.
Garment Construction: Warp is cut into 4 straight panels and hemmed at the top and bottom edges. The pieces overlap in the front and back and the shoulders are left open for a flattering drape. The front is partially sewn closed and decorative buttons added.
Lining: Lace hem tape was used to lighten the zig zagged single folded hem.
Special Features:
Pattern: Tweedy shirt in weave knit wear book by Judith Shangold
Garment Challenges: Keeping track of warp direction and surface to match at the shoulder seams.
