what can I make with this?

I was recently going through some boxes I pulled out of our storage room and found this.

very, very long sampler

It's a sampler I made years ago when I was having a play at shadow weave on the loom. It's lace weight merino, only 2.5 inches wide, but 8.5 yards long. Surely there's something I can make with it! Vest? Cardigan? Pullover? I just can't quite see what to make with it and have no idea where to begin looking for a pattern. Any ideas?

Skirt?

Maybe topstitch to a piece of backing fabric and make a klit? If the skirt length is 1.5ft, with 8.5 yards you will get 17 panels. With the width of 2.5 inches, you will need to calculate the spacing of the panels based on your measurements and the depth of pleats.

I'm wondering if something like a medieval tunic pattern might be a good starting point. They were often made to work with very little cutting of woven lengths so may help.
Some traditional Japanese designs may also work for the same reason. A basic kimono pattern can be used for a vest, top or jacket, depending on how you use it.

Maybe May's math & this thread combined could give you some ideas: https://permies.com/t/154258/sewing/Clothing-patterns-based-rectangles

It's smaller than I though in area: one yard of 44" wide fabric equals to 1584 square inches, one yard of 52" wide fabric equals to 1874 square inches and the strip is 765 square inches. Maybe use it as edge binding of a robe coat to showcase the weave? The width and length are both ideal for such a project.

May Lotito wrote:It's smaller than I though in area:

I was doing the mental math thing to get an approximation myself. If it was 1 yard long, it would only be about 20" wide.  That suggests it would have to be a sleeveless top/vest, trim on some other outfit, or mixed with a suitable fabric to extend the working material. At least the long edges are finished. It is lovely, and it's a shame to be lost in a box instead of being useful.

What sort of things do you have a need for?

Do you have any small people who need clothing and would you want to put it to such a use?

May Lotito wrote:It's smaller than I though in area: one yard of 44" wide fabric equals to 1584 square inches, one yard of 52" wide fabric equals to 1874 square inches and the strip is 765 square inches.

Jay Angler wrote:I was doing the mental math thing to get an approximation myself. If it was 1 yard long, it would only be about 20" wide.

Gee, it's amazing how a little math can really put something into perspective.  (I knew I needed help with this!)

Jay Angler wrote:What sort of things do you have a need for?

If I'm being honest, I'd have to say I probably don't need anything, thanks to the $1 racks at the thrift stores. But that's a habit I'd really like to break because I'm gradually seeing the 'culture' part of permaculture as more than growing food (if that makes sense). Somehow there ought to be a cultural expression stemming from what we believe and the way we live. As a fiber/textile person, for me, that expression is handcrafted fabric and it's many uses. I have a whole trunk full of handwoven samples and cloth that's just sitting there!

There are good suggestions here! Carla's link for the thread about using rectangles for clothing patterns is helpful; it just makes sense to use rectangles for handwoven fabric. Less waste! I do wear a lot of vests and now am thinking I could get vest fronts from that amount of fabric.

Dian mentions historic patterns, which I'll have to take a look at. She also mentions kimonos, May mentions robe, and Jay suggests trim. That got me thinking about a coat or jacket, which I really don't need. But my winter bathrobe is beginning to wear pretty badly (and truly warm clothing is hard to find this far south). So, maybe a kimono style robe based on rectangles?

All I have to do know is figure out the rest of the fabric, lol.

It's a beautiful piece of weaving!

I would lean towards something very simple...
The yardage cut into four lengths would make a 10" X 72" scarf...
Hand stitched... Maybe a short fringe?
Merino is so soft and light it makes wonderful scarves.


Are the measurements after washing/fulling or off the loom measurements?
Washability might play a part in the final choice.

If only it was a little wider! I would think a tie of that pattern would look great. I love seeing the ideas coming out of people here.

Judith Browning wrote:I would lean towards something very simple...
The yardage cut into four lengths would make a 10" X 72" scarf...

Oo, oo! Now I'm thinking moebius with long twisted/braided/beaded fringe at the connecting seam. Maybe worn as a cowl with the fringe hanging offset(?) I need to make some sketches and a mock-up.

(Plus, simple would mean something I could work on in the immediate future, as opposed to putting it away again while I figure the rest out.)

Are the measurements after washing/fulling or off the loom measurements?
Washability might play a part in the final choice.

Good points, Yes, the measurements are after wet finishing. I would definitely hand wash it as needed, so that part should be okay.

Timothy Norton wrote:If only it was a little wider! I would think a tie of that pattern would look great.

Actually, my husband is a narrow tie guy. I wove and made him this tie earlier that same year.

handwoven log cabin necktie

That was back in the day when he had occasion to wear a tie, but he doesn't wear them any more.

That fabric is so pretty.

What I would probably do with fabric like that is use it as a trim around the neck and on the sleeves with a matching tie belt.

That could also be sown as trim to look like suspenders or a bib.

I tried to find a picture like something I sewed years ago to give you an idea of what I am suggesting though I couldn't any other than belts and pockets.

Leigh Tate wrote:All I have to do know is figure out the rest of the fabric, lol.

Does it tone in or go with any other bits of fabric in your boxes?

That said, if you'd wear the scarf, that sounds like a great use for this unique bit of material.

Jay Angler wrote:Does it tone in or go with any other bits of fabric in your boxes?

Not that I recall, but I still have a large trunk to go through.

That said, I'm now more confident that I can make something nice with it.

There are plenty of suggestions already mentioned.
I think you can sew strips together with whip stitch to make a wider 'fabric'. Maybe then you can make a (short) kimono-style bathrobe with it?