Weaving with Sari Silk Weft on a Rigid Heddle Loom

In this video I experiment with a gorgeous skein of sari silk ribbon. Look over my shoulder as I try out this yarn for the first time. Includes all my mistakes and successes. Hopefully we can all learn together! This is not a tutorial, but an invitation to see my processes in my studio.
Website: www.karifell.com/
Online Store: karifellartist...
Facebook Page: / karifellartist
KZbin: / @karifellweaves
Patreon: / karifellart
Kari Fell is an artist who lives, paints and weaves in beautiful Cape Breton. She grew up in the North of Canada, in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. She was living in Alberta for the past 19 years and recently moved east to have some maritime adventures! All these places show up in her artwork.
Kari attended the Alberta College of Art in Calgary (now ACAD) from 1986-1990 where she majored in drawing and textiles. She continues to create in both these media and has also added painting to her repertoire.
Kari works out of her home studio in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada.

[@CriaAndKiddFW]

Very nice! I'm waiting on a cotton order for my table loom, so I got my RH loom out and playing with it with plain weave projects. I really like how the silk "pops" with that dark blue. Inspiration for sure, thank you.

[@bethbarnes1897]

Thank you for your videos! So very helpful and beautiful! Just about to warp for a cowl, referring to your tutorials! yay!

[@KariFellWeaves]

Thanks for your kind comments. Best wishes on you cowl weaving!

[@Kellycreator]

It looks absolutely stunning. Would be interesting to see just sari silk and changing the number of pick up on the rows to create the pattern. I’m about to try small rectangles and sew them together on a backing fabric to make a bedroom rug, or maybe a runner for the end of my bed. You can also buy spun ribbons that makes a wonderful yarn. I’m waiting on ribbons and yarn to combine them. ❤

[@kallen8279]

Great learning experience. I think if you had used thinner strips of sari silk/ribbon , and used them more frequently instead of every 9th row, example: 5 passes of (thinner) sari ribbon, 3 passes of 6/2 cotton, it would have displayed more sari ribbon color changes and contrasts, resulting in stronger vibrancy.

[@KariFellWeaves]

I agree! If I come upon a thinner ribbon I will definitely use a different technique, similar to your suggestion.

[@margareteast9273]

I have used the sari silk ribbon myself, in 3 projects sometimes cutting it into 6 to 8 inch lengths and adding it as ribbon bows as well as using it as weft yarn occasionally in the projects. Also used the recycled silk which comes as a sort of thick yarn.. makes a lovely cheerful bedspread.

[@KariFellWeaves]

Yes, I would like to try the recycled silk yarn if I can find it. I think the ribbon looks best as a skein, lol! But your bows do sound like a nice technique and I have enough left to try something like that...

[@gerryivkovich1857]

Thanks for the pick tutorial. Your results are beautiful. Blessings.

[@rosalindtaylor3479]

Love this project!

[@KariFellWeaves]

Thank you!

[@dianathefiberfan5116]

Love how it turned!

[@KariFellWeaves]

Thank you!

[@mariateresat4991]

I love this scarf and the mistake too..

[@KariFellWeaves]

Thank you!

[@kapirk2244]

Very nice! I like that it looks so different on each side. I have several balls of sari silk yarn and I have never been able to figure out what to do with them. This give me a great idea. Thanks for sharing your work.

[@KariFellWeaves]

You are so welcome! I think I will try the sari silk in the warp next.

[@carmenita7583]

I like the look , eclectic look. May I forward my suggestion, I think the ribbon can be 1/2 “ of the original size. Will look more refined look. Thank you for your lesson 🌷🌎🌞😎

[@mariateresat4991]

very much appreciated that you showed your mistake but basically the scarf acquires particularity. A teacher many years ago told me that a mistake must never be hidden but highlighted by enriching it. For example, in the wrong line I would put short blue cotton fringes like those at the ends.

[@KariFellWeaves]

That sounds like a fun way of accentuating and highlighting the quirks of handwovens. Thanks for sharing!

[@jennifermiller7986]

Gorgeous! I think the overall look could vary based on how you wore the scarf. It would pool some of those colors together more like the look of the skein. I love the fluid feeling of the silk being carried up the side. Just beautiful. ♥️

[@KariFellWeaves]

Yes, I agree it would look different depending on how you wear it. Thank you!

[@kathyb4266]

I love seeing your process and experimentation with this project. Inspirational and interesting. I have learned the most when I have just forged ahead and experimented and it is very satisfying. Thanks for sharing. Now I am considering what I shall try with the Sari silk yarn (although not ribbon form) I bought long ago and have yet to use :)

[@KariFellWeaves]

Thank you! I'm glad you found this inspirational. Good luck with your sari silk!

[@andreamoen6742]

You made a beautiful and wonderful piece. I think if you had gone a little wider it would have helped with the color change. Also when you put the sari material in you should have placed your heddle into the neutral position and worked with all the warp threads.

[@KariFellWeaves]

Thank you! Yes, I agree with you about the width. As for heddle in neutral or down, it really makes no difference. The structure is exactly the same.

[@bethbarnes1897]

what product do you use for wet finish in the sink, please?

[@KariFellWeaves]

I usually use Dawn dish soap. If a colour is running, I will use Synthrapol.

[@rugerluger5446]

Does Sari silk ribbon leak or stain?

[@KariFellWeaves]

I did not notice any colour bleeding. However my warp was fairly dark, so it wouldn’t necessarily show on that. It also didn’t seem to bleed onto other parts of the ribbon.

[@kimsharpzook461]

Nice but I think I would like it softer

[@KariFellWeaves]

I'm not sure I understand "softer". Do you mean visually or tactilely?