After our delicious bento box lunch on Wednesday, we meet at the looms to prepare for our afternoon of weaving.
For our weaving arts and crafts project, we were given two choices. We could either make a smaller coaster made from scraps of silk fabric or create a larger coaster made from silk thread. I took a picture of an example of each that were available in the gift shop.
We were given our choices of thread and then brief instructions – in Japanese.
I selected a red, green, and white combination thread. It reminded me of Christmas! Here is my spool of thread ready to weave.
I took a short video so you could see what it’s like to receive directions in Japanese.
Here is one more video. The process of weaving involves sliding the spool through the threads from one side to the other. Simultaneously, one foot is down on the pedal and the other is up. Then slide the bar down to make the threads tight. Switch feet and then slide down the bar twice – dong dong. In the video you can hear sensei say “dong dong” – it makes me giggle.
Here are a few pictures of me working the loom!
Eventually, we had our finished large coasters. Mine is in the middle.
We had a few minutes as the other group finished weaving and I spent it checking out the thread. The thread is made from silk worm cocoons.
It is gently shredded. And then spun into thread. A tedious process!
I enjoyed having the opportunity to weave using the looms. It required a lot of concentration to remember to dong, switch feet, and then dong, dong. I did find the loom to be a little small for my long legs. If I were to take up weaving silk fabric, I would need to have the XL loom. My knees were really achy by the end!