Drove to Edmonton last week to give fingerweaving workshops for the folks of Fort Edmonton as well as St. Albert. Such eager and apt students! It was a pleasure to see people learn so quickly. We started out with the ‘make a friendship bracelet’ project. They quickly proceeded to other patterns, more threads: The next step was mastering the ‘advanced technique’. This is done working on the ‘diagonal stripe’ pattern. The room provided by Ft Edmonton had the perfect setup, a lovely coatrack along one wall. Before noon, the folks from St Albert had mastered the technique, and produced the beginnings of a diagonal stripe leg tie. The next day we worked on patterns, changing weft within a row for vertical stripe and sawtooth, working from center to outer edge for the chevron. Again, such a pleasure to work with keen students.
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The Pavilion Canadien-Français ran from Aug 3 to 9. Next week, Aug 10 to 17, was the Métis Pavilion. Dressed a bit differently, I gave a similar demonstration, allowing folks the pleasure of making a ‘friendship bracelet’. The project teaches the basics of fingerweaving …. straight out of my book, page 12 & 13. Booksales have been going so well, I’m just about sold out. Fewer than 100 from the original 1200 are left unsold. I’ve ordered another printing, this time doubling the order. This time Friesens will print 2000 copies. The second edition will have ‘perfect binding’ (as opposed to the ‘saddle stitch’ or staple-together-construction of the first edition). Bookstores and libraries tell me that the staple-together binding disappears on the shelf. To be honest, I’ve found this all to be true. I chose the ‘saddle stitch’ wanting the book to lie open on a table while the student is working. I am hoping that the ‘perfect binding’ is perfect enough to allow for both: book will lie open on the table, and will have a spine that is visible on the shelf. Meanwhile I’ve been weaving a one-of-a-kind special order for a special someone. This is a sash and leg ties combo: Next week I’ll be in Edmonton, Alberta, giving a workshop for the folks of Fort Edmonton and St Albert. Later in the week I will be priveleged to tour the Southesk Collection in the Royal Alberta Museum.
Evenings you’ll find me at the Edmonton Fringe Festival. Hope youall are enjoying your Summer. Carol A few more photos from the Métis Pavilion at Folklorama 2008. Eager to learn to fingerweave, the ‘make a friendship bracelet’ project was very popular with the children. Basically I used the directions from page 12&13 of my book. It is a project that is easily completed in 5 minutes. I am grateful to my students for helping out at Folklorama. Suzanne managed to finish her sash, while keeping me company at the Métis Pavilion.
Once again I’ve been invited to give fingerweaving demonstrations at two pavilions in the Winnipeg festival, Folklorama. Printed in the local newspaper, the Winnipeg Free Press, reporting on the Pavilion Canadien-français: “CULTURAL HIGH POINT: Sashmaker Carol James and her student show how a ceinture fléchée is made with intricate finger-weaving.” On display at Folklorama you can see the 8 sash samples, made over the past Winter, sponsored by Manitoba Heritage, the St. Boniface General Hospital, and Manitoba Artists in Healthcare. Next week I’ll be at the Métis Pavilion.
Aug 18-22 I’ll be giving a workshop at Ft Edmonton in Edmonton, Alberta. The BBC is preparing a series on the history of Canada, its history, indigenous cultures and history. Ray Mears is a bushcraft specialist and woodsman. The BBC will be filming an interview with me in early September, Ray Mears learning about fingerweaving. Meantime, I’m working on some sprang neckscarfs. I finished the last fringe on those 8 samples I’ve been making for the Manitoba Museum. This project has been sponsored by Manitoba Culture Heritage and Tourism, by Manitoba Artists in Healthcare, and by the St Boniface General Hospital. They were woven using a fine 2/8 worsted wool (with one exception). I’ve been working on this since September of 2007 The 8 samples, again, close up, include
The David Thompson Brigade arrived on a beautiful day at the Forks in Winnipeg, June 11, 2008. I was there on the Quai to greet them. It was a pleasure to speak with these dedicated folk who have paddled from Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, en route to Thunder Bay, Ontario. Still working on those pieces for the Manitoba Museum. I completed weaving the third sample of the Assomption variety. This one is sewn down the middle: Saturday morning I give a fingerweaving workshop at the Bibliothèque de St-Boniface, the St Boniface public library, then I head out to Convergence 2008.
Sunday, June 29, I will be in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota, Historic Fort Snelling to be exact. I will be demonstrating and teaching fingerweaving. And it’s a booklaunch. During the month of July I will be teaching basic fingerweaving to French teachers at the St Boniface College here in Winnipeg. I’ve been having internet trouble. Ended up having to get a new modum, and the new one seems to have a mind of its own, cutting out at times. Luckily it was working last evening when I received a special e-mail. I initially thought was a hoax. So glad I responded, because I had a lovely chat later in the evening with Ray Mears of the BBC in person in downtown Winnipeg. He’s on a reconnaisance mission for a BBC series on Canada. A most interesting chap. Who knows what tomorrow will bring. I just got back from the Center for Rupertsland Studies Colloquium in Rocky Mountain House. So much information! Such interesting people! Now back to work on that 3rd variation of the Assomption Sash. This is the one that’s done in 2 parts, with a seam down the middle. The colors were hand dyed. I did a bit of back-and-forth to the museum, comparing with the original. The colors are not a perfect match, but pretty darn close. Yes there’s a hot pink in the original sash at the Manitoba Museum.
In my ‘spare time’ I’ve been working on some sprang. I’m hoping to finish a multi colored shawl, trying out various techniques and patterns. I think if I set a row of tassels along the lower end, it should hang open when I wear it. Booksales are going well. Over 400 sold in less than 3 months! Get your copy now while supplies last. Only 1000 were printed. Well, I finished that Assomption swatch, and did another one of a related pattern. Both Manitoba Museum and Musée de St-Boniface have sashes that are very loosely woven, in the Assomption (arrowhead and lightning) pattern.
The sash I wove last year has been framed beautifully and installed in the hallway of the St Boniface General Hospital. Included inside the frame is a plaque describing the project “Fragile threads when combined become very strong cloth, thus the sash symbolizes the uniqueness of the individual and the value of teamwork.”
I’m putting together my presentation for the Centre for Rupertsland Colloquium in Rocky Mountain House next week, May 14-16. I will present the paper I wrote for the Museum of the Fur Trade Quarterly, Spring 2007, that is, how to distinguish fingerwoven from loomwoven. And I’ll get to see the mountains again. The end of June I’m planning on attending the Handweavers Guild of America’s Convergence 2008 in Florida. I’m looking forward to learning lots of new techniques. Dr. Katherine Pettipas, Curator, The Manitoba Museum writes:
This publication is welcome addition to the literature on the ancient craft of finger weaving. Carol James, an accomplished Winnipeg weaver and teacher, has dedicated over 20 years to the art. Her knowledge and sash reproductions are based on the detailed study of historical artifacts that are housed in various heritage institutions such as The Manitoba Museum and the Musée Saint-Boniface. Beginners and experienced finger weavers alike will appreciate this well-illustrated “how to” guide that not only presents the basics, but also guides the user through the complicated art of “trouble shooting.” This type of information sharing is only possible from Carol James’ years of experience as highly skilled weaver and outstanding teacher of the craft. Gabriel Dufault President Union nationale métisse Saint-Joseph du Manitoba writes: In an easy to understand format, Carol James has demystified the fascinating art of finger weaving, particularly that of the taditional sash. Through illustrations and clear explanations, she makes it relatively simple for the novice to create his or her own heirloom. Her many years of experience with her craft brings to the reader the required assistance and reassurance that they also can explore their creativity. Excellent resource material! Marie Zorniak Grade 4 teacher Strathcona School Winnipeg Manitoba writes: Carol has a talent which transcends her delft fingers as she spins and weaves wool. Carol is a patient teacher who shares her weaving knowledge with young students and is as excited as the children when they see their first threads become a pattern. This book of wonderful information helps to unravel the technique of finger weaving in a clear and concise manner. Carol is a master weaver who brings threads of wool to life as they dance in patterns as she weaves. This book reflects the simple and clear way that Carol teaches this art Carol’s quiet way of teaching as she passes her knowledge on to students makes her an honoured guest in my classroom. Students delight in the process and the making of their projects.Carol’s book is reflective of the learner and their new found skills as she takes them on a journey of discovery. I’ve been teaching fingerweaving for some time now. My students have encouraged me to publish the ‘handouts’ in book form. It was a small project that really got out of hand. It’s now a full color 64 page book, entitled
Fingerweaving Untangled, an illustrated beginner’s guide, including detailed patterns and common mistakes. The book provides two methods for fingerweaving, a beginner’s method and an advanced method. It is well illustrated with step-by-step drawings and photos, vetted by a wide variety of students of varying abilities. Also included are photos of museum-pieces, and sashes I’ve woven, illustrating the techniques, patterns, and common mistakes. This way you can do-it-yourself for that sash you’ve always wanted. |
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