How to Weave a Transparency
Transparency weaving involves inserting colors or patterns between an open plain weave. The plain weave is set more widely than usual, allowing the weaver to insert colored threads between the plain weave structure. The technique also creates a lacy look to the background weave. Weavers traditionally perform this technique with a white background and white inlay, resulting in an ephemeral feel, but creative weavers may use a variety of contrasting colors for a completely new look. You can use transparencies in tapestry wall hangings as well.
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Things You'll Need
- Loom -- table loom or floor loom
- Warp yarn
- Weft yarn
- Pattern yarn
- Tapestry needles
- Weaving shuttles
- Fabric pattern paper
- Cartoon pattern drawn on pattern paper
Instructions
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1
Wind the warp yarn in white for a traditional look. Try 25/1 silk noil at 30 epi or 20/2 pearl cotton at 18 or 20 epi. Set the warp more widely than normal to create the lacy look and leave room for the transparency patterns. Experiment with different colors and yarns for variety in the results.
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2
Weave background cloth using weft in the same weight as the warp. Weave at least an inch of plain weave using a simple, straight draw threading. "Place" the weft at the fell line, and avoid "beating" it into place to maintain the loose weave.
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3
Pin pattern paper with the transparency pattern you've chosen to the section of finished weave where you'd like to place your first transparency.
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4
Thread a tapestry needle with the pattern weft you've chosen. For a traditional transparency, this will be a white yarn, or choose any other color for a variation on the look. Transparency yard should be twice as thick as the warp thread, so about 10/2 or a 20/2 doubled.
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5
Open a new shed and throw the inlay weft with the tapestry needle, only in the places indicated by the pattern. A complex pattern may require more than one needle. Then throw the background weft, change sheds and beat it gently into place. Throw the transparency pattern wefts the same direction as the background shuttle. When you finish the pattern, leave at least a three-inch tail that weaves back into the pattern area to make the fabric reversible.
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6
Finish the piece with another section of plain weaving, then wash and press as usual.
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Tips & Warnings
Combine thicknesses and textures of yarn in the transparencies to create shadows and inlays.
Make use of short, leftover pieces of yarn by including them in the transparencies.
Avoid wrapping the warp too tightly and beating the weft too much, or the look of the transparency is diminished.
