Today we were officially given the brief of the project for the rest of our placement. That was exciting but also a lot of pressure. Next week was meant to be research days, however, I will be with Margo Selby so am goignt o try and research in the evenings etc. We will then present our work on the 18th March. Today was tying up loose ends. We were able to wash our fabrics. Very exciting. This green fabric has been my favourite piece I have made so far. I LOVE it.
06/03/2025
Research Day. Today I visited West Dean to collect images. I spent a lot of time moodboarding and designing. I have slimmed down my ideas finally. I now need to see what it looks like on WeaveIt.
I was so excited to get back to Rebecca’s studio, it had felt like ages since I had been there. Rebecca did not disappoint, straight away we were working out the calculations for an independent project using the new wool yarn!
This was the first time I was really quick and did everything correctly. I felt so so proud of myself. When I think back to when I first started with Rebecca, I barely knew a thing and had no confidence. Rebecca has believed in me and allowed me to mess up, ask silly questions and explained things slowly. I couldn’t be more grateful that I am completing a placement with such a lovely person.
I also met a new intern at Dobby and Rose. It’s nice to be working alongside another student. I do feel as though she is constantly trying to do things quicker than me so Rebecca is impressed. Hopefully she calms down once she settles. I really don’t want everything to become ‘who can do it faster’ etc.
16/01/2025
21/01/2025
Let’s get weaving! 2 metres long…
I felt so proud once I started weaving… nothing had gone wrong, I wasn’t worrying so much and I loved the pattern I had designed. Using 100% British wool feels so lovely, I am excited to continue using it over the next few months.
23/01/2025
Continued weaving away!
28/01/2025
Off the loom, I was super scared there were going to be mistakes, but there weren’t. For the first 10 minutes I sat analysing every section to ensure it was perfect. The relief after I knew it was all good was amazing. I can’t wait to wash and brush it. So grateful for Rebecca, she has given me so much confidence when weaving. She’s so food at explaining things so that it’s easy to understand. Now onto the next warp!
30/01/2025
New set up, I have done this practically on my own, only asking a few questions to clarify. So far everything is going correctly… We are threading 2 yarns through one heddle. This will create a really chunky feel to the fabric. I am excited to see how this turns out. I also love this warp, it took a long time to wind with all of the colour changes, but definitely worth it!
I continued preparation for the up coming events. My time at Rebecca’s is definitely slowing down as it’s getting closer to Christmas. She’s been very kind suggesting I have next week off to complete some of my own personal projects. So have lots to crack on with!
05/12/2024
Today was the last day at Rebecca’s until 14th January. I put together some weaving kits, and also worked on the website. This was the first time I had added products onto Shopify. I found it very user friendly. It was a lot of fun, but again very monotonous. Very useful to learn if I ever wanted to use it. I helped Rebecca design the website. I suggested she changed the layout as it was easy for customers to find products. So that was good to get done.
After having the last week off due to it being half term and Rebecca being off with her children I returned to threading up the countermarch to make two lampshades. Rebecca had already tied up the loom so unfortunately I did png get the opportunity to do that. She has said that she will teach me as soon as the Christmas rush is over.
While I was threading up Rebecca was teaching a morning session of basic weaving. I have listened in one time before this and found it so useful just refreshing my memory on all of the key information. Today I helped out a little when any of them had a question. I always enjoy chatting afterwards as I learn a lot.
I then started weaving… was a lot of fun. I had to really keep an eye on threads not lifting as one of the feet didn’t lift up the highest. There were multiple times I would have to go back because it would have skipped slightly. This was time consuming, however, I felt much better once it was done. It was have really frustrated me knowing there were a few mistakes.
07/11/2024
Today I continued weaving. I told myself I needed to be a lot quicker. I do worry I am a little slow when weaving. I think it’s because I am constantly checking the quality etc. I compare myself to how quick Rebecca is, she could have woven what I did in half a day in an hour. I don’t want to be a hinderance as opposed to help! I finished both lampshades by 11:45. So around 2 1/2 hours for a just over a metre of fabric…
I then had the task of getting yarn wound for the loom kits to be sold at the next few weeks Christmas events.
Rebecca was so pleased with the quality of the cloth and said I had been super productive which was nice to hear.
12/11/2024
Threading up the loom for a commission lampshade. While I was doing this Rebecca was teaching a hand loom workshop. It was so useful listening. I’m trying to learn how to create a smooth sailing workshop so picked up some good tricks.
After this I continued winding samples of yarn for the kits.
14/11/2024
Today my tasks were to get the weaving kits ready and make the baubles. Rebecca and I sat listening to Christmas music and chatted all day while getting the endless list of tasks done. It was really nice just being able to speak for a while. I really really like Rebecca, we just get on so well. I can see myself in her when I am older, we just have very similar views on life and what is important to us.
19/11/2024
Mor bauble making… although quite a monotonous task it’s Ben really fun choosing what colours and patterns go together etc. It’s nice that Rebecca feels as though she can trust me to choose the colour combinations
21/11/2024
Today I travelled to The Maltings in Farnham. Rebecca was there for the Christmas Fair. I was joining her for the second and last day of the event. My task was to weave and speak to potential customers. I felt a lot more confident than last time as I knew the kind of questions I would be asked. I do really enjoy speaking to people at these events, it’s always really interesting hearing people’s experiences with weaving and their creative journey. I also started taking orders and helping with pricing. I felt proud of this as the last time I was at the Maltings I was worried to be left alone in case of a potential customer. Growth! I then stayed an hour later (despite Rebecca saying I really didn’t need to stay) to help pack up the car and transfer everything down the stairs. She was so great fun for my help. I then received a message in the evening saying she has sent me £70. It was very sweet as it’s an unpaid internship.
This event was really successful, it was so nice to see how busy it can be at the Maltings. Definitely a big change from the Festival of craft.
26/11/2024
Today we were prepping for the next event that Rebecca is completing at Guildford Cathedral. I completed some more baubles; took scanes and turned them into balls of wool; then wrapped them into smaller sizes. Today was quite monotonous, however, was useful to get done.
A lady also collected her made to order lampshade today. It was interesting chatting to them. Previously, she had sent a harsh email, asking to change the colours after the fabric had been made up.
Rebecca kindly explained that she had already spent 10 hours on the lampshade, she was happy to remake it for an extra cost of the yarn.
It was interesting to see how you deal with tricky customers. I realised how important it is to sleep on a response. You then don’t become defensive and work with the customer, meaning everyone feels happy in the end.
28/11/2024
More baubles today. The last day I shall be completing this…
I have realised how repetitive some tasks can be, and how little time the creator can actually be doing the things they want to be doing.
For example, weaving. Because there are so many other things to do, it gets pushed to the bottom of the list.
Next weekend (12th-13th October) I shall be helping with the Maltings Craft Fair, I am excited!! I shall be weaving 2 scarfs using a honey comb design while Rebecca sells products.
One thing I have already really learnt: Selling textiles as art instead of products and cloth is where you make your money. Am eager to try making beautiful experimental pieces this year.
Continued weaving sections for the key fobs, I enjoyed doing this as Rebecca gave me free reign on the colours and designs.
08/10/2024
This week I set up the loom to use for the Maltings, Rebecca allowed me to choose the design for this project. I also was able to choose the colours. I decided on a honeycomb design, as I remembered she said people always loved textured pieces. I also chose a beige/ brown yarn for the weft as people love neutrals at the moment.
I also prepped a load of loom kits to sell. There was a lot of pressure not to forget an item in the box. I didn’t want to mess up. I remembered everything, however put the wrong stickers on some boxes. I wasn’t told there was a different sticker to use. I felt so bad, Rebecca said it was her fault but still thought I should have brought it up. I had thought it was odd, but continued as there weren’t any other stickers. Next time I should listen to my thoughts and double check if in doubt.
I hadn’t realised how much preparation goes into an event, it was useful to see.
12-13/10/2024
Farnham The Maltings
The past few days have been really useful joining Rebecca. I have never experienced a craft event on the side of the maker. It was a lot of fun, a little daunting chatting to people about weaving but, it built my confidence.
One man came up to me and said ‘Do you mind if I LOOM over you?’
He then said ‘you should have told me to SHUTTLE away’
Showed me how not every event is super successful, a lot of creatives were deflated with the outcome, with sales going down a lot since the year before.
Useful to learn it’s now always sunshine and rainbows
Met many other weavers etc, really nice to continue networking!
15/10/2024
Today I finished off the warp on the honeycomb design. I then started winding a warp for some scarfs going to be used on the countermarch loom. I started untying all of the peddles from the shafts before it was time for me to leave early to travel to London for the ‘Making it in Textiles’ event in Bradford.
22/10/2024
While I had been away on Thursday Rebecca had set up the loom as she had the time pressure of her next event. I finished weaving the first scarfs she had designed and then was allowed to design the next scarf.
I chose blue as the primary colour as the collection didn’t have that colour yet. She also suggested I used orange along with it. I wasn’t too sure on this choice as I thought there is a slimer amount of people that shall want those specific colours. Also, once I started weaving it was quite trippy on the eyes. I regretted continuing with this, however, Rebecca was happy the with outcome so it was only me that was being extra picky.
Rebecca was attending The Festival of Crafts at Farnham this weekend, she offered me the opportunity to join her and weave on a Louet Jane Table Loom while speaking to customers.
I immediately said yes! I had never attended an event like this so was eager to see how it was in the eyes of a craftsperson.
I loved speaking to everyone, there were lots of amazing stories. It was fun watching everyone trying to work out how I was weaving also. Once I had explained what I was doing everyone seemed to appreciate the products being sold a lot more. I realised how little people know about how cloth/ fabric is made.
I also witnessed how deflating an event like this could be. So many craftspeople were saying what a let down it was. It was invaluable seeing this side of the industry. It’s not always a positive experience. I would find it hard to pick myself up after a less successful event. This made me reflect on if this side of making is something I would want to do.
I think I crave stability and consistency. So maybe working in a business with others would suit me better?
My first ‘official’ day at Dobby and Rose was brilliant! I have already been quite a few times over summer, having joined in with the Graduate Weavers week. I have already learnt so much and made some great connections with local weavers.
Since I have started my ability to set up a loom has increased massively. I am a lot faster setting up a loom. I can now set complete a whole set up in day as opposed to taking a few days. My confidence still needs to improve, as I often doubt myself. I am very wary doing each step, so need reassurance. I do believe over time this shall develop.
I am being taught more simple ways to set up the loom, as I often find a lot of steps are over complicated.
Also, I have a better understanding of how a small business runs. Being surrounded by fellow weavers I am gaining better knowledge on the industry.
Rebecca is such a patient teacher that is super friendly and kind. I am excited for the year ahead!
During August I was lucky enough to attend the Graduate Week led by Rebecca from Dobby & Rose.
I met 3 graduate weavers that were mostly local. We all rubbed along really well, sharing our experiences from university etc.
We all set up a loom and completed patterns that Rebecca had planned for future products. I felt a lot slower than the others, however, I had to keep reminding myself they had a year on me! They were always offering to help me and give tips which was helpful.
From this experience Rebecca asked if I would like to join her for the whole year for 2 days a week. Although the role isn’t paid, I am learning so much weaving knowledge, so am extremely happy with this placement.
