The
Thread Project
Sept. 2006 - Update on the Thread Project
Dear Weavers
I've been told that the cloths are hung at St. Paul's Chapel where they will remain until November 30th. People who have seen the cloths have described the panels as beautiful, awesome, and inspiring. I can't wait to see them for myself. I've recently learned that Good Morning America will be broadcasting from St. Paul's Chapel on the morning of 9/11 because St. Paul's was so instrumental in the 9/11 story. I have no way of knowing if GMA will show the cloths or mention the Project, but I thought you might want to tune in just in case.
Also, Good Housekeeping will be publishing an article about the Project in their Real Lives section of their November issue. As always, I encourage you to sign up on the web site, if you haven't already, http://www.threadproject.com/asp/follow.asp to be kept up to date on our news. The City Gallery exhibit in Charleston will run from September 15 to October 28, 2007. My focus this year will be on finding permanent homes for the cloths; hopefully, places that have a global outreach where the cloths can be used to teach about diversity, tolerance and compassionate community.
Blessings to each of you for the contribution of your looms and your hearts to this Project.
Terry Helwig, Founder
July 2005 - Specific instructions to WSSA members wanting to participate in this
project will be sent via e-mail. Write Marie
for details.
Instructions for One World, One Cloth panels. For more
information, go to http://www.threadproject.com/
To give the panels continuity when they are joined together
we are suggesting the following specifications.
- 16 ends per inch
- 24 inch loom (width in reed)
- Plain weave
- Weft is often thick and knotty, a stick shuttle works
best
- Finish top and bottom with a twining technique* so
cloth will not unravel
- Weave the first 8 inches of the panel in solid warp
thread before using the multi-colored weft. (This will become the top
of the cloth where rod pockets will be sewn on.)
- Finished length is to be 70 inches without the fringe
but includes the 8" of solid color (Since the weft thread is thick,
it takes up more warp thread; if the loom is warped with 4 yds, this
should be enough) Error on the side of being too long rather than too
short.
- It is fine to pull SOME of the many knots in the weft
thread through for interest & design
- Some weavers have woven beads into the panels or added
them to the fringe which is fine
- Don't worry about knots and threads hanging out at
the SELVAGE-they create an interesting focal point when the cloth is
displayed
- Leave at least a foot or more of fringe at the end
of the cloth. You may leave the fringe as is, or tie it in any manner
you wish.
Optional: After the loom is warped:
- gather a group of family and/or friends to mark the
beginning of the weaving ask family and friends to tie on a thread and
say something about their thread and/or their hope for the future
- invite each person present to weave a few rows of
the
cloth, sign their name and write something about their thread. (Their
names and comments will be added to a Project Notebook.)
- In times past, cloths were woven as prayers for individuals,
family and community. It was believed the cloths, made with deep intention,
helped to materialize the desired blessings. For this reason, each weaver
is being asked to hold the intention of world harmony and tolerance
while weaving the cloth.
- You're invited to write a page about your experience
of weaving the cloth, i.e. thoughts, something that happened, what someone
said while weaving the cloth or tying on a thread. These pages are being
added to the Project Notebook. Should there ever be a book about the
project, portions might be included in a published book.
- If possible, try to have people sign their names and
where they are from when they tie on. I keep that information in a project
notebook. It's not necessary, but it does create a record of the incredible
diversity of the cloth. I also am trying to keep track of how many countries
are represented in the cloth.
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