November 2020 – London District Weavers and Spinners

6 Sided Coiled Basket

This basket sat in my cupboard for many years. It was in a cloth bag with wire, core and 6 stranded embroidery threads and only coiled for about an inch or so. I found it just sitting there waiting patiently for me and I was in one of those finishing moods.

The base is a 6 sided cork coaster I am sure I got from the Dollar Store. I sewed the first row of coiling into the edges of the coaster. I glued a second coaster to the under side of the base and a third coaster to the base in the inside of the basket. This helped to strengthen the base and cover the stitches. It just looked neater. It needed a wire with the core to retain the 6 sided shape as I coiled up the sides. I used pony beads and coiled around them into the walls. Two of the round beads on the inside and two facing out. You can see in one spot where there is only one bead showing. The other broke as I was working many rows later. Oh well, it is what it is. I took another cork coaster and cut into it making a 6 sided window frame wrapping it in floss. I coiled outward from this to the edges of the lid just slightly larger than the basket and finished by coiling straight down to fit over the sides. In the inside of the frame I random coiled with the pony beads to create a raised centre.

This is approx. 6” tall x 4” across and the only 6 sided lidded basket I have ever made. I think it turned out okay.

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Visit at the Royal Ontario Museum

November 5, 2020November 5, 2020 Paul G

Ina and Paul at ROM – Visiting:
The Cloth that Changed the World: India’s Painted and Printed Cottons

We want to take this opportunity and full-heartedly say thank you to Katherine Ing from Royal Ontario Museum for inviting all London District weavers and Spinners members to visit this great exhibition and many other things the museum has to offer at a reduced price.
For details, please read the article and the email available for members only: LDWS members offer

Made with novel cotton, vivid colours and exuberant design, the painted and printed cottons of India changed human history; they revolutionized art, fashion and science wherever they went around the globe. Featuring pieces from the Museum’s world-renowned collection, and several important international loans, this ROM-original exhibition explores how over thousands of years India’s artisans have created, perfected and innovated these printed and painted multicoloured cotton fabrics to fashion the body, honour divinities, and beautify palaces and homes.

Exploring the fascinating stories behind the making and trade of these glorious pieces past and present, The Cloth that Changed the World considers India’s textile innovations and their influences on fashion, trade and industry around the world in places as far as Cairo, Japan, Sumatra, London, and Ottawa. They were the luxury fabric of their day, coveted by all, and one of the great inventions that drew foreigners to India’s shores hungry for more. Discover how through trade-routes, encounters, and exchange, these cloths connected cultures, inspired imitation and, quite literally, changed the world. Experience how India’s designers and makers today are innovating for new times and audiences.