40 Projects Just For Fun: Wall Hanging

I've been wanting to try my hand at weaving again so when inspiration struck this month I knew I had to make this one of my 40 Projects Just For Fun. I had a little loom as a kid and made beaded bracelets and pot holders but I hadn't really thought much more about trying this medium as an adult until I saw the giant loom someone had made to make a rug out of cut up t-shirts. I still want to try that but this is a little more realistic for now.

I've been really drawn to natural elements and textures lately but still love how they look along side bold colors and patterns so I gathered some supplies I had on hand and then did a little browsing through Instagram to see what I'd find under #weaving. There were a lot of hair photos but then there were some beautifully modern, kawaii influenced pieces by a few users in particular that seemed to be fiber artists.

One of the women I was most impressed by was @cathymcmurray. Her work is fresh while still maintaining an ethnic vibe. I didn't find her woven projects on her site but they're in her IG feed. Then I discovered the wall hangings from Mimi Jung at Brook and Lyn and fell in love with their colors and patterns. My most favorite fiber artist on IG, though, is @houseofmaryannevintage. Her designs feel young and modern. I feel like I just discovered of a whole new world of fiber art and design. Here are a few more beautiful pieces I found through Pinterest.

This one was really an experiment but I love how it turned out. I used supplies I already had on hand so it cost nothing to make and was therapeutic enough to work on while listening to some Ted Talks on YouTube. I learned a few things as I went like starting and stopping thick fibers near an edge but not worrying about where you start and stop weaving with smaller ones. It's not as noticeable. I learned to not pull too tightly else I end up with an hourglass shape rather than a straight one, although I did get a little of that near the bottom. I learned there are so many ways to make patterns and use colors that I'm surely going to have to make another one or two. Here's what the back of it looks like.

Above shows how I skipped a few rows to get a diamond shape of negative space. 

Here's what I did in case you're wanting to make your own:

1. I didn't want to invest in a loom since this was an experiment and I knew from a previous project years ago that I could essentially make my own kind of loom with a frame and some nails. I had an old drawer that I knew was a good size for a wall-hanging so I gathered some supplies. I had regular brown twine that I used for my base and then gathered some pink plastic twine (Lowe's), woven pink cord (also Lowe's), and dark pink chunky yarn. I recommend a range of thicknesses if you can manage it for more interesting textures. 2. Then I nailed 13 nailes into the top and bottom of the back side, tied a knot to the top left nail and wove my brown twine up and down the rows until I got to the other side and wrapped the twine through the top loops and knotted it again where I started. 3. Next I cut a length of pink plastic twine and started a few rows in from the edge so as to hide the end and wove over and under until I ran out. Then I switched to the next material and did the same. I tried a few different things I saw in images online but wanted to keep it pretty simple for my first time. 5. When I was almost to the bottom I tucked in my last end of pink twine and then cut my brown twine where it was at the nail and tied two rows at a time into a knot to secure the base. 6. I added a dowel rod through the top loops at the ends and another piece of twine to hang it to a screw. Ta-Da!

It took me about 8 hours total split between other responsibilties and sleeping and I kept at it until I was done so as not to lose motivation. I'm really proud of how it turned out and have it hanging on our wall in the dining room. 

Here's one great resource for doing something much smaller with children. I joined some new friends at a local Forest School gathering and the project that day was to make our own mini looms from sticks and yarn and to weave in different things we found in the woods. There were some really beautiful creations made by those mamas and preschoolers and I found myself way more intrigued by it than Ruby. We ended up with sticks and leaves tucked in between different colors of yarn and fabric. I kept it for her in hopes that she'll remember what a fun morning we had with our friends exploring the woods. 

I may not be the best resource for further questions since I'm still just figuring it out myself but if anyone else has anything to add in the comments about their experience or any sites to check out, feel free. 

Have you ever woven something? How did it turn out?

-Rachel

40 Projects: One, Two

Comments

[rachel]

I am so excited to try this out. I adore how yours ended up. I'm in the process of trying to buy a house and really love textiles but need to save some dollars, so this could be perfect.

[Sarah M]

This is a really neat project! I had seen blog posts here and there about children's weaving, and my son did one (similar to yours above, last picture) when he was about 4. He loved it. I don't know why we've never repeated it, but it was definitely the right mix of fun and challenging. I also scored a great kid's kit loom at the local thrift store awhile back for a few dollars (unopened), and just found it in our storage since we're packing up for a move. We'll get to that....maybe when we get to the other side of moving :)
Sarah M

[irene wibowo]

nice! :)Irene Wibowo

[ruthie]

I'm in love with this. It turned out so lovely, and I love that it's not perfect and more organic. Growing up on Lake Michigan, we'd make these with lake glass, drift wood, and dried sea weed. Takes me back to happy memories, thank you!!

[Catherine]

I took a weaving class in college and loved it! For my final project I designed a scarf for my mom...but I miscalculated percent shrinkage for the wool and ended up with a ten foot scarf. Mom loved it anyway!

[Jessica]

Great post! I've never done such projects myself but I have to say I'm very intrigued by the project at the bottom of the post. Seems like such a good way to use all of my favorite items (fabric, yarn, sticks, etc) in one project. Thank you so much for sharing! Can't wait to start once the snow will melt over here.

[emily hassman]

This is such a cool project! I think I'll have to tackle one myself... maybe a small square to hang in my office. I love the texture it lends on the wall! Like I didn't know the wall needed texture until I saw this, but it makes perfect sense now.

I really admire that you share projects that are new to you, Rachel. I'm often afraid to share how-tos on my own blog because I feel like I'm "not an expert." Your projects are so approachable, though, and it makes me feel like I could really do it too. I think that's one of the things that keeps me checking out your blog, week after week :) Keep up the awesome!

[Dulce]

oh my gosh, i love your house, can you adopt me? :)

[Sarah]

This is beautiful! I love how the rough twine makes it look something you could have found at an antique store or hung in a log cabin.

[LARY@ Inspiration Nook]

This is awesome. Love the little one too!

[morgane frimane]

I love to seen it hang to your wall. I've made my first one two weeks ago and it's very addictiv.

[Joanna]

This is amazing Rachel!

[Lisa]

love it!! I also love that "home is wherever I'm with you" sign, did you make that too? If not I'd love to know where you got it!

[Naomi]

I love how this turned out! My mom had a loom when I was growing up and I wish I had it now! Although, it did take up half our living room!

[Esther]

How sweet! I use to weave as a child and absolutely loved it. Maybe it's time to start again.

[Leigh-Ann]

This is really cool, I'd like to try making one too :) Thanks for the inspiration Rachel!

[Robert Thomas Dulaney III]

i took a class where we learned to weave a few semesters ago! it's super time consuming! my back always hurt after working on my projects.

[Anna B.]

Beautiful handmade piece! I have a friend who weaves and I majored in Fibers in college for a year before dropping out to have kids. Seeing your project makes me want to get back into it.

[kiley]

i love your weaving! a fun project to add to my project list!!!

[sarah kate branine]

I tell you what: You (and your weaving skills!) are amazing!

[Sarah K.]

What a great project! I've pinned this to try soon. I'm also going to try the kid one with my son. Thanks for sharing!

[Cassidy Hogue]

Awesome! Love the colors