Spring / Summer 2022 Projects

I wanted to share some Spring/Summer 2022 projects with you, as I had to hold a few things in reserve until they were worn or given as gifts!

I received word that Her Majesty Rauokinn was requesting weavers to consider producing or trying their hand at some soumak tablet weaving for Royal garment accents.  I've been aware of the technique for a little bit, as one of my favorite bands (the Køstrup band) was created utilizing that technique.  I decided to give it a shot as I'd like to one day recreate the Køstrup band and it would be a good learning experience.  I discovered soumak weaving is quite a bit more fiddly than brocade and getting the balance of thickness correct with the supplemental weft thread (pattern thread) is fairly challenging.  

Overall, I'm pleased with the result (especially since this was my first attempt) - I really like how soumak appears on the back side, also, as it is a wrapping technique that encircles 2-3 tablets worth of warp threads.

Sutton Hoo-Inspired Soumak Tablet Woven Band (front):

Sutton Hoo-Inspired Soumak Tablet Woven Band (back):

Køstrup Band (Weaving by and Photo by Elwidar Sauvage):

I also had the pleasure of weaving a Birka brocade tablet woven band for my friend, Laurel, and mentor, Reginleif (Karyn).  I chose to create the B18 pattern because I am aim to do a complete recreation of all the Birka brocade bands and B18 looks extremely similar to An Tir checky.  It is also a flashy/blingy pattern because a lot of the brocade wire is left exposed.  Below are the extant object photograph and the final reproduction.

Birka B18 Extant Object Photo:

Birka B18 Reproduction (by me!):