The Big Weave

The Tree of Light

2012-01-16T11:43:00.000-08:00

A good meeting today with Mandy Beard from Thames Arts consortium and Val Bowman from Maiden Erlegh Community Arts. It looks likely that during June The Big Weave will be visiting schools participating in the Cultural Olympiad project The Tree of Light. The ‘Tree of Light’ is a spectacular arts project, a monumental sculptural work of art. Powered by the energy of humans using electric pedals, the tree will create a blaze of light. The project brings together 40 diverse communities from Reading, Windsor, Oxford and Henley. The Big Weave tapestry loom will visit schools in the Henley hub drawing participants together to weave in their thread and create a vibrant community tapestry.

A New Commission

2011-11-08T07:01:00.000-08:00

The Big Weave is very excited to have received a commission from Coventry Cathedral to create a community tapestry during the Cathedral's Golden Jubilee Celebrations next year.

Coventry Cathedral is custodian of some world-famous mid 20th century artwork including Graham Sutherland's Christ in Glory tapestry. During the festival the Cathedral has planned an exhibition to show-case each cathedral artist and the processes behind each work of art. Creating a community tapestry together will highlight the weaving process and give an understanding of how Graham Sutherland's design was realised as a woven tapestry. A hands-on experience of tapestry weaving will also help to underline just how awe-inspiring Sutherland's tapestry is.

The Devon Weave

2011-09-25T14:38:00.000-07:00

Last week saw the start of our latest national tapestry at Tor Bridge High in Plymouth, Devon. Tor Bridge sits on an Extended campus incorporating a secondary school (Tor Bridge High), a Primary School, a Nursery School, and special school, a hospital school and a public library. The intention is to jointly create a Big Weave tapestry with all the schools on campus. Teachers and staff representatives from these schools attended the training days and worked on the tapestry together. The Big Weave loom will stand in the library and pupils and staff from all schools on site invited to work on it.

The tapestry design is symbolic of the school names, situation between moors and sea and the links between all the schools that will be on campus.

Gallery added to website

2011-09-11T13:22:00.000-07:00

We have added a gallery page to our website. You can now view the results of previous Big Weave community projects, just click here.

The Community Cohesion Tapestry is Handed Over

2011-08-28T15:17:00.000-07:00

The Community Cohesion tapestry 'Landscape and Light' was handed over to Wokingham Local Authority and the 50+ Partnership board recently and now hangs in the foyer of The Forge, Peach Street in Wokingham. The tapestry was worked on towards the end of last year. The design was inspired by John Piper’s baptistry window in Coventry Cathedral. Several windows of Piper's abstracted stained glass suggested landscapes. Working on the information within several different delineated areas of the stained glass a design idea emerged, horizontal stripes of colour suggesting an English landscape of perhaps fields, hedges and sky drawn with bright, primary colours.

The tapestry was worked on by clients of disability services and the older people's forum in the Wokingham area. We had participants using wheelchairs, some with limited vision, some recovering from strokes and with limited dexterity, some suffering with ME and some with arthritis all working alongside able-bodied over 50s.

A wonderful outcome which I hope everyone will enjoy.

A Day out at Mary Arden's Farm

2011-07-23T11:27:00.000-07:00

A productive day today at Mary Arden's Farm, where The Big Weave took part in The Crafty Beasts Day. We made good progress weaving on the Red Balloon tapestry and were delighted to have visitors from as far afield as Japan, New Zealand and Canada. Thanks also for contributions from local visitors from Stratford-upon-Avon and Banbury way, in particular members of The Stratford Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers and Helen from Red Balloon Learner Centre Warwick.

Watching the tapestry grow

2011-07-13T02:34:00.001-07:00

On Friday last week I travelled back to St Edward's in Leek in order to present the finished tapestry to the assembled school community. In return I received a beautiful bouquet of flowers and lots of lovely images of pupils busy at the loom. Here are a few of them.

Off the Loom

2011-07-03T13:55:00.000-07:00

St Edward's tapestry was cut from the loom today. The tapestry now needs to be blocked for a professional finish, then backed with fabric before mounting on a hanging batten. If all goes to plan St Edward will be handed over during school assembly on Friday.

Striped practice weavings are off the loom too...

Gloucestershire Guild

2011-06-22T05:21:00.000-07:00

A visit to Gloucestershire Guild's meeting on Saturday caused quite a stir. The Stroud tapestry was on display and guild members couldn't wait to get hands on and weave in their thread.

Edward Receives his Crown

2011-06-19T11:01:00.000-07:00

We had an exceptionally busy day on Friday with pupils scrambling for a chance to weave in their thread before the end of the project. Friday was Open Day and St Edward's School was buzzing with birthday celebrations, marking 30 years as St Edward's Middle School. Visitors to Open Day were encouraged to lend their support and help the tapestry grow. Luckily there was plenty of refreshment available - we were sustained during the morning session with Café Complet served in the pop-up French cafe in the school foyer. In the afternoon we enjoyed a delicious cream tea from the cookery room. By the end of the school day we had almost reached our target and the tapestry was complete, but for St Edward's crown. Friday evening the school hosted a party and the tapestry remained on display during the celebrations. Several party goers took the opportunity to add some finishing touches and Edward received his crowning glory.

Two days to go

2011-06-15T08:53:00.000-07:00

Two days of weaving left on St Edward's tapestry. We have made excellent progress to date, thanks to the dedication of volunteers from the local Guilds and to the industry of every pupil who has woven in their thread so far. We will be weaving on Thursday and again on Friday, when we hope to complete the tapestry at St Edward's 30th Birthday celebrations.

Lester learns to Weave

2011-06-12T05:41:00.000-07:00

It's never too late to learn to weave (and a PhD is no obstacle either) as Dr Lester Simmonds from Pool Sentry demonstrates!

A week's work on St Edward's tapestry and great progress has been made. Thanks to all the pupils and staff who have already woven in their thread and to the wonderful weavers and friends of Leek and Cheddleton Guilds.

The Big Weave goes to Leek

2011-06-08T04:33:00.000-07:00

The Big Weave is visiting St Edward's Junior High School in Leek, Staffordshire. With the support of volunteers from the local Guilds of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers, every pupil in school will have the chance to weave their thread into the St Edward tapestry.

The design for our tapestry is worked from an image of Edward the Confessor taken from the replica of the Bayeaux tapestry, a Victorian copy embroidered in Leek. The replica is worked with wool embroidery on linen and hangs in its own gallery in Reading museum. Cues for the colours used in our design were taken from the palette of dye colours used for the replica's wool embroidery yarn. The yarn was dyed by Thomas Wardle of Leek, a Staffordshire silk dyer, and husband of Elizabeth Wardle, an accomplished embroideress who encouraged the Leek Embroidery Society to create Britain's replica.

St Edward's tapestry will be worked on over 8 days finishing on Friday 17th June, when the school celebrates it's 30th birthday as a middle school. It is hoped that everyone at the school, pupils, staff and visitors will all help to complete the work.

Volunteers from Leek and Cheddleton Guilds of Weavers Spinners and Dyers

Volunteers and pupils busy weaving

A work in progress - St Edward's feet...

The Big Weave visits the International Textile Festival in Stroud

2011-05-15T10:36:00.000-07:00

The International Textile Festival is presented by Stroud International Textiles. The festival, now in its sixth year, has established itself as the UK's principal festival to celebrate textiles. The Big Weave visited last year's festival and was invited back by popular demand to show in the delightful Museum in the Park. The Big Weave loom was set up for three days during 5,6,7 May. On Thursday and Friday pupils From St Dominic's and Coaley Primary Schools enjoyed several weaving workshops - pupils wove into the tapestry on the community loom and also tried out several types of individual looms. Saturday saw the turn of the general public and we had a steady stream of people of all ages who dropped by to add their thread to the tapestry.

The Stroud Tapestry is a landscape of hills and valleys. The design is worked in an organic way with hills placed where the unfolding pattern suggests.

A big thank-you from The Big Weave artists to the Museum staff who looked after us so well and to Sue and Caroline fromThe Gloucestershire Guild of Weavers Spinners and Dyers who generously helped out during the workshops.

Some photos from the workshops ...

The Big Weave reaches out to engage communities in Dorset and Oxfordshire

2011-03-31T04:05:00.000-07:00

The Big Weave has instigated two new County tapestries.
The Dorset Weave based at Westfield Arts College in Weymouth
and The Oxfordshire Weave (The Abingdon Tapestry) at Larkmead School in Abingdon

The tapestries are being woven by local communities, take a look at the links below to see how work is progressing
The Dorset Weave
The Oxfordshire Weave

The Big Weave visits Dorset

2011-03-06T11:37:00.001-08:00

Thursday and Friday last week saw The Big Weave commence its national project with a visit to Westfield Arts College, Weymouth. The Big Weave artists trained teachers, weavers and members of local community groups in the art of community weaving. Dorset is the first county to host The Big Weave as this exciting project reaches out across England with the aim of creating a tapestry in every county. The new trainees wasted no time and took the loom with the Dorset Weave out to meet the public on Saturday and Sunday. Toddlers, grandparents and friends old and new had a go weaving on the loom and enjoyed the beautiful yarns and colourful design.

Community Cohesion Tapestry is Completed

2010-12-15T13:26:00.000-08:00

Three intrepid weavers braved the elements and travelled 90 miles to Warwickshire today to complete the Community Cohesion Tapestry. A most enjoyable day was had and we achieved our aim to finish the weaving. The tapestry is now ready to be cut off the loom. In the New Year the tapestry will be blocked and backed before handing over to hang in the reception of the Disability and Older People's Services at the Forge, Peach Street in Wokingham.

The photo shows three happy weavers busy at work. A fine achievement - thank you Mary, Gloria and Janet.

Tapestry handover

2010-11-23T12:10:00.000-08:00

Val Bowman from Maiden Erlegh Community Arts hands over the completed tapestry to Liz Macfarlane from Specialist Schools and Academies Trust. The tapestry was commissioned by SSAT and will hang in the Trust's headquarters in Millbank Tower, London.

Weaving in Woodley

2010-11-11T07:26:00.000-08:00

This week we took our Community Cohesion tapestry to Woodley Older People's Forum in Coronation Hall Woodley. Our visit took Forum members by surprise - most were looking forward to a relaxing afternoon and were disconcerted to find they would have to take part in a weaving session! Nevertheless 15 minutes into the session there was a buzz of activity around the hall with folk busy weaving on small tapestry frames, weaving sticks, peg looms and braiders. We also had several intrepid Forum members weaving on our large community tapestry. It was particularly rewarding to discover that several participants had already woven a thread into the tapestry at earlier events and were keen, not only to have another go, but to share their know-how with friends. All-in-all a very rewarding afternoon - not only did we manage to make great progress on the tapestry but we also had fun!

Community Cohesion - an Informal Learning Project with Wokingham Local Authority Community Care and Disability Services

2010-09-01T07:40:00.000-07:00

We have been busy over the summer working with Wokingham Local Authority on our latest tapestry. The themes suggested for the tapestry design were "choice", "control" and "a sense of well-being". Much of this is already inherent in the process of creating a tapestry, the work offers all participants choice which, with sufficient control, will result in a harmonious tapestry. In addition weaving elicits a sense of well being as does the experience of learning and working together towards a shared goal. Over the course of the project we will be working with the over 50s and people with a range of physical and sensory needs.

We considered a landscape design, a form which we can all relate to and which of itself instils a sense of well-being, of being at one with nature. On a recent visit to Coventry Cathedral we were inspired by John Piper’s baptistry window, a wonderful uplifting image with a yellow centre representing rays of sunshine moving into a colourful surround. Each ‘window’ of the stained glass presented an abstract image, some suggesting landscapes. Working on the information within several different delineated areas of the stained glass a design idea emerged, horizontal stripes of colour suggesting an English landscape of perhaps fields, hedges and sky drawn with bright, primary colours.

We set our loom with the bottom beam fixed in the higher position allowing all who where interested access to the loom. We have had some participants using wheelchairs, some with limited vision, some recovering from strokes and with limited dexterity, some suffering with ME and some with arthritis working alongside able-bodied over 50s. All managed to participate and enjoy adding to and helping the tapestry grow. As seen in the photo we have already made great progress.

A Week-end of Weaving at Stroud International Textile Festival

2010-05-09T13:12:00.000-07:00

Colourful yarns and conversation flowed this week-end when we took The Big Weave to Stroud International Textile Festival. With a steady stream of visitors keen to weave some colour into our latest tapestry (commissioned by Specialist Schools and Academies Trust), we made good progress and many new friends.

The Big Weave visits Basildon Park National Trust property

2010-05-05T15:20:00.000-07:00

The Big Weave spent the Bank Holiday week-end at Basildon Park National Trust property in Berkshire. We accompanied the Berkshire Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers who shared the crafts of spinning, braiding, knitting and tapestry weaving with visitors. Families enjoyed watching guild members weaving on the Guild's Basildon Park tapestry project and were delighted to discover they could have a go on The Big Weave tapestry.

The Big Weave at Woodley library

2010-04-27T03:52:00.000-07:00

We had a rewarding time weaving and chatting at Woodley library over the past two Saturdays. Thank you to all who came along, spent time working on the tapestry or stopped to find out what was going on. It was good to meet you all. We will be weaving again at Lower Earley library on Saturday 5th and 12th June in the morning, look forward to seeing you there.

The Big Weave "back on the road" again

2010-04-09T08:44:00.000-07:00

Hello again, we may have been quiet on the blog but we have been very busy behind the scenes. After the successful launch of The Big Weave last summer we started a second tapestry with a colourful flower garden design. The design provides a basic structure to guide the weaving while participants are invited to add their flower to the growing tapestry.
The Big Weave is poised to go back “on the road” again, we will bring The Flower Garden tapestry to two Wokingham district libraries. Woodley library 17th and 24th April 10.00am - 1.00pm and Lower Earley Library 5th and 12th June 10.00am - 1.00pm. In addition the Berkshire Guild of Spinners Weavers and Dyers will take the tapestry to Basildon House National Trust property on 1st, 2nd and 3rd May the tapestry will be an interesting addition to their repertoire and you are invited to participate in the creation of this lively community artwork.http://www.bswd.org.uk

Third tapestry design

2010-04-07T14:48:00.000-07:00

Meanwhile we have a third tapestry on the go, commissioned by The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust. The design is based on an idea of two weavers working together ...moving a line, using subtle shading, blending one colour into another to gain depth and movement - a dance where two weavers work together advancing and retreating, consulting and coming to agreement, keeping within the structure of an overall plan, dancing to the tune of the tapestry.

meeting and greeting..

...touching and leaving

hello and goodbye...

...to and fro

We will be taking this latest tapestry to Stroud International textile festival. Working on our large tapestry loom and using lots of colourful yarns, we will share some simple weaving techniques and encourage everyone to participate in the creation of a unique community work of art - a glorious, colourful tapestry. Come along and experience a work in progress, admire the loom, handle the yarns, and don’t miss the opportunity to weave your thread into The Big Weave tapestry. You can find us at Red Dog Studio, Five Valley Foyer, Gloucester Street, Stroud GL5 1QG, 8th and 9th May. http://www.stroudinternationaltextiles.org.uk

The tapestry is cut off the loom.

2009-07-29T10:34:00.000-07:00

At last the tapestry is cut off the loom - Meridian TV was there to record the event.

The final touches are added to the tapestry

2009-07-29T10:19:00.000-07:00

Building red brick houses and bridge at Art in Action

2009-07-22T14:33:00.000-07:00

The Big Weave exhibited at Art in Action last week-end. Despite the unpredictable weather we had a constant stream of visitors keen to weave a thread into our tapestry.

2009-07-22T14:31:00.000-07:00

2009-07-22T14:30:00.001-07:00

2009-07-22T14:28:00.000-07:00

2009-07-22T14:27:00.000-07:00

2009-07-22T14:19:00.000-07:00

A busy time weaving at Alfred Sutton School

2009-07-22T14:11:00.000-07:00

2009-07-22T14:07:00.000-07:00

2009-07-22T14:05:00.000-07:00

2009-07-22T14:04:00.000-07:00

2009-07-22T14:03:00.002-07:00

2009-07-22T14:03:00.001-07:00

2009-07-22T14:02:00.001-07:00

Many hands make light work at Henley Festival Arts Event

2009-07-13T14:19:00.001-07:00

2009-07-13T14:16:00.002-07:00

2009-07-13T14:16:00.001-07:00

2009-07-13T14:15:00.000-07:00

2009-07-13T14:14:00.002-07:00

2009-07-13T14:14:00.001-07:00

2009-07-13T14:12:00.002-07:00

2009-07-13T14:12:00.001-07:00

Workshop at Maiden Erlegh School

2009-07-13T14:05:00.000-07:00

Thoma ran a workshop at Maiden Erlegh School for teachers, weavers and craftspeople. The small frame looms made by Maiden Erlegh Design and Technology students were put to full use.

Small tapestry frames warped and ready to go

2009-07-13T13:59:00.000-07:00

Weaving on the small tapestry frame

2009-07-13T13:58:00.000-07:00

Taking the tapestry off the loom

2009-07-13T13:57:00.000-07:00

Tying off the warp

2009-07-13T13:56:00.000-07:00

Completed tapestry

2009-07-13T13:55:00.000-07:00

The end result of a successful workshop

2009-07-13T13:53:00.000-07:00

2009-07-08T14:21:00.000-07:00

Day two and preparing a cartoon of the design is our main focus.

Caroline and Thoma weaving the tip of the heron's wing

2009-07-08T09:44:00.000-07:00

Marking the warp

2009-07-08T09:43:00.000-07:00

The cartoon is placed behind the warp

2009-07-08T09:41:00.000-07:00

Colourful yarns

2009-07-08T09:39:00.000-07:00

Drawing together

2009-07-08T09:38:00.000-07:00

Preparing the cartoon

2009-07-08T09:37:00.001-07:00

Squaring up the design

2009-07-08T09:33:00.000-07:00

The Big Weave kicks off

2009-07-07T14:38:00.000-07:00

An exciting day putting the loom together, warping up and weaving the first inch of the tapestry.

Reading photographer Joanne de Nobriga joined us and took some amazing photos of the activity. Joanne will join us regularly during the three weeks of this project and has generously offered to document the event. Thank you Joanne.

The first pick

2009-07-07T14:33:00.000-07:00

The first pick of our first community tapestry is laid in place

Down to work

2009-07-07T14:30:00.000-07:00

Three weavers settle down at the loom

The first shed

2009-07-07T14:28:00.000-07:00

Thoma prepares the first shed on the loom.

Checking the tension

2009-07-07T14:24:00.000-07:00

Thoma checks the tension of the warp on The Big Loom - feels right.

Warping up

2009-07-07T14:15:00.000-07:00

Diane and Caroline warping up The Big Weave Loom

Thoma arrives

2009-07-07T14:14:00.000-07:00

Cant' believe it - Thoma has arrived! Sun 6.30 Heathrow T3 Air Canada from Ottowa and the enormous relief and excitement at seeing Thoma again!

Breakfast on the patio, catching up with things since our visit to Moon Rain last December. Thoma keen to get started - briefing meeting and all seems to be fine (just need more yarn......)

Into Reading and walk to Peter Hay's Kennet Mouth and on to Sonning-on-Thames. Drink at The Bull in beautiful English summer weather. Jet lag finally catches up early evening.

24 hours to go!

2009-07-04T15:25:00.000-07:00

24 hours to go until Thoma Ewen arrives and things are finally starting to come together - couldn't have believed it possible yesterday when everything seemed to be conspiring to put a toolbox of spanners in the works.

It was just the small matter of materials - the order had gone in weeks ago but no sign of the yarn. But help is at hand - suppliers in London have yarn in stock and would love us go pay them a visit ("it'll be fun" we are assured). So Caroline and I set off one o'clock Friday for a spell of motoring madness along the M4 and North Circular Road. What should have been an hour and a half stretched to 3 hours - a courtesy call to our destination wasn't received in the spirit in which it was intended: . Arriving at 4.40 we are unwelcomed with a curt "you do know we close at 5.00". Flabbergasted we frantically scour the shop, thank goodness for Caroline's keen eye for colour, she quickly identifies the skeins we need and scoops them up in a sort of 'trolley dash'. Assistants are switching off lights and closing up despite our pleas for help. We stumble out of the shop blinking in the daylight with little idea what we've purchased "we close at 5.00" ringing in our ears. Only a 4 hour rushhour drive back to Reading to reflect on an extraordinary visit to the antithesis of business.

But that was yesterday. Today is another day, the postman delivers Elaine's wonderful pastel which we will be using as the basis of our tapestry weaving. Jen's handprinted flyers look fantastic, and Bav turns up with a brilliant website design.

The room is prepared ready for Thoma (Will is quite enjoying being relocated to the garden shed).