Sharon Shroeder, Missoula Weavers Guild and MT Association of Weavers & Spinners
Materials & Technique: I created a 3-dimensional wildflower by weaving strips of plain weave on my 4 harness Baby Wolf. My warp was 30 lb fishing line sett at 16 epi in an 8-dent reed. I used assorted colors of 28 ga wire for weft and “tied it off” with crimp beads. Once I removed it from the loom I started folding and pleating it into shape. It had a voice of its own and chose to become a blossoming wildflower. The warp ends became the stamen of the flower. Depending on the time of day, and how the light hits the flower, you will catch many eye-pleasing refractions emulating a flower with morning dew on its petals.
Description: I find fishing line and wire have a symbiotic relationship that is mutually beneficial. On their own, they are both wild and unruly. But through a simple plain weave interlacement, they are willing to bend and become compliant. They actually enhace the physical properties of each other.
The finished product depends on how the line and wire interact. They decide what they will become. This is a very free form of creative expression. Regardless of what you think your weaving will be in the beginning, it will tell you how it feels best in the end, and that creates a very satisfactory outcome.
