Shanel Wu
They/them. PhD student: smart textiles, weaving, computational craft, hardware hacking.
Shape Weaving Experiment Diagrams
by Shanel
Summarizing my three experiments in shape weaving with diagrams of their warp systems. Detailing the methods with weaving/design tactics used before (warping), during (weaving), and after (securement).
Experiment 1: Knotted Pairs
Before: warp an even number, enough room to create the shape
During: when shifting over pick rows for shaping, shift over by 2’s; begin and end each pick with 2 ends of plainweave (under and over/over and under)
After: cut warps, leaving at least 2” ends; use square knots to tie each pair securely and tightly against the edge of weft; trim close to knots
Experiment 2: Tightened Continuous Warp
Before: warp enough room to create the shape
During: plainweave edges as in experiment 1
After: do not cut warps; remove from loom and tighten warp looms against weft one by one; trim excess warp
Experiment 3: Tightened Continuous Paired Warp
Before: warp an even number, enough room to create the shape; the warp should start and end on the front/bottom of the loom
During: treat each pair of warps as one single thread, never split them; finish weaving with one last row of plainweave in a separate piece of yarn, this time splitting the pairs (over-under every end)
After: do not cut warps; remove from loom and tighten as in experiment 2