I think Persistence is a good characteristic for a tapestry weaver! I began this small 8x10" tapestry a bit more than a week ago. I was determined to get it done for the ATA small tapestry exhibit, which I had entered before the loom was even warped, and for which the finished piece is due very soon! Knowing it must be done quickly, I warped it at only 8epi, and wove it with doubled weft, except for the face area, where I used singles.
This first half wove very quickly, done in 2 days, while I was watching a bit of evening Olympics.
The eyes and mouth are always my biggest challenge, so weaving the face with singles was helpful.
The hat! I knew I would add some 3-D buttons to the tapestry, so decided to add texture to the hat brim for balance. That seemed appropriate anyway, since I had also knit the hat quickly, with bulky yarn. So I used a bit of that same yarn for the hat brim, woven at 4epi.
Almost there! I do begin and end with a 1/2" hem, as well.
I had several small 'woven sketches, each about 4x4", that had not yet been blocked, so I blocked the 'selfie' tapestry and the other small tapestries all together in a 'Block(ing) Party.'
The finished tapestry. It is 8x10" and will be in the ATA exhibit in conjunction with Convergence in Reno, NV this coming summer. It is based on this selfie that I took the morning of the 2nd Women's March in January. I wore the hat and participated in both last year's and this year's Marches. I persisted.
In the meantime, I have entered the tapestry in an online competition of self portraits. If you'd like to help a tapestry win this competition (which is otherwise paintings) you can vote for this piece at this link:
http://www.jerrysartarama.com/contests/self-portrait/2018
Or, find another piece to vote for, or submit your own self portrait! (If you submit one, let me know, and I'll go vote for you!)
