Just In Time!

 

With the Weavers Show and Share booked for Sunday afternoon, I was getting concerned if the latest issue of WEFT would arrive in time.  

Voila!  This morning's mail contained the magazine.

I have to confess that when I write (and I actually include most authors) I sweat bullets trying to include ALL the information, work hard and choosing the words that best convey what I did, hoping that anyone who wants to do the project, or even just learn by reading what I did, will get enough information to take them a step further.

I don't know if most newer weavers are aware of how hard authors, editors, publishers, work to make their magazines/books informative and interesting, and how many of us get so wrapped in the task that sometimes it's hard to *stop* polishing and just finally accept you've done your best and let it free, out into the 'wild' (so to speak).

Frankly, it has been months since I finished the article for issue 3.  During the time between I wove the napkins and finished writing the article, I have had an 'interesting' time, with the brain bleed on Aug. 28, 2024, continued adverse effects from the drugs I was hoping would make things 'better' and made things just...worse.

It was with a considerable amount of trepidation that I opened the envelope this morning and holding my breath, read my article.  (Yes, of course I read mine first!)

To my relief I was able to read the article in its entirely without wincing once.  I have not looked at the drafts - I sweated bullets at the time, and since I was using computer generated software, I'm pretty sure the drafts are accurate enough.  The question that will arise is if I have done a good enough job of explaining what I did.

I am hoping some of the weavers that come on Sunday will bring their textiles, too.  It is by sharing that we all learn.  I have been encouraging weavers to contribute to the magazine, and the guild ordered a subscription.  I am hoping that the new book I ordered will arrive tomorrow so that I can bring that for people to see, as well.

Weaving is an ancient craft.  We keep it alive by learning it, writing about it, reading about it - from actual practitioners.  In a craft that changes every time circumstances change, it is easy to forget that very few weaving questions have definitive answers.  It depends!  And that the individual weaver will need to produce their own 'samples'.  But we can still share our knowledge and encourage others to develop their own foundation of knowledge.

And if you are interested in my long form writing, my 3 books are still available at blurb.  Printed in the US, they will not have a tariff on them if you are in the US.  If you are not in the US, they are also available in pdf form.