Introduction:
Watered : Term used to describe textiles in which a rippled or watered effect is produced by pressing certain ribbed fabrics in such a way as to flatten parts of the ribs and leave the rest in relief. The flattened and un-flattened parts reflect the light differently. Synonym: Moire
From my go-to book, Warp & Weft by Dorothy Burnham.
This is the watered look or moiré on one of the pieces I brought back from Uzbekistan.
Here are the huge rollers that press the fabric to make the moire.
The first step is wetting the fabric.
The cloth is doubled before going into the rollers as per the definition above in the introduction.
The cloth is fed into the rollers.
The double cloth is separated.
The cloth is dried.
Moire can be on plain cloth, too.
A special piece I found was still doubled and here you can see it being separated. The moire is on both cloths but it took the two of them to press on each other to make the watered look (moire). I was thrilled when I found my photos and the fabrics I brought home. And now they will be in my sale. I hope lots of people will come: there will be interesting stuff as well as museum quality things and my own work. It’s a big deal for me. November 19 & 20 at Fort Mason in San Francisco. The reason for the sale is that I’m downsizing and want to pass my treasures out into the world and see the people who they go to.
Smart idea, Peggy!
is the sale going to be online also? My fingers are crossed. You have been my go-to person for years.
After the sale is over we are thinking of having things on line–after we recouperate!! Before hand we hope to have things lists on line. I’ll keep you posted on my blog. Thanks for your kind words–you have made my day and I haven’t had breakfast yet!! Thank you again.
Peggy
I’m also excited to hear that you may do an online sale after your recover from your huge sale events! I told my buddies who live in SF and near by to check out your in-person sales, but I’m all the way on Long Island!!
I always think of you as my “wonderful weaving mentor” as I had the good fortune to have been in your small study group, taught in your West Village apartment, back in the 80’s! You also directed me to many dance happenings in the city at that time.
Sending you my best wishes,
Lauren Singer
Oh Lauren! I’ve thought of you so many times over the years. I have used your idea for rubber stamss for all the addresses I’ve had after the West Village!! Using it today in fact. I’d love to know what you are about. Might you let me know here or my email? PeggyOsterkampCollection.com.
Good explanation of the making of moire – as if the ikats were not beautiful enough on their own!
That is very cool. I had no idea that is how “moire” was made. I hope I will some time find the Dorthy Burnham book.