Lady Arabella De Mere, Incipient Shire of Old Stonebridges
EK Wiki: https://wiki.eastkingdom.org/index.php?title=Arabella_De_Mere
This past Pennsic I had a discussion with my Laurel about our student-Laurel relationship. She asked if I would like to change from being her student to her apprentice, and I was overjoyed and said YES! Being a tablet weaver, was tasked to make my own apprentice belt. This presented a challenge to myself as it involved both free-reign creativity and a very limited color spectrum, due to apprentice belts traditionally being green.
Then it came to me, a technique I have been wanting to learn for a while, monochromatic twist patterning! With this technique, a person can create a subtle design or pattern that shows up due to how light is reflected off the different twists of the threads. This is an advanced tablet weaving technique, as any error, missed thread, or incorrect turn of a card will show.
I wanted to combine texture (what I will call checkerboard) with lettering. Not only can you see the checkerboard pattern, but the structure of the weave creates a really interesting texture when you feel it. The lettering motif is repeated 4 times, as that spacing seemed to work well aesthetically on the band. The text on the band says “Aut Viam Inveniam Aut Faciam”. This is a famous quote by the Carthaginian General Hannibal Barca, and means “If I cannot find a way, I will make one”. I came across this phrase while looking online for phrases in Latin, and felt it completely fits my attitude when it comes to creating and crafting. It highlights my abundant tenacity, and “make it work” style, and I think anyone who knows me would agree.
For more information see my blog entry https://www.arabellademere.com/2020/03/03/monochromatic-twist-patterned-apprentice-belt/
Twist-patterning is so gorgeous, I just love the effect and you do an amazing job with it <3
Thank you! This was my first attempt and a learning experience! It’s really amazing how the silk reflects the light so differently based on the twist of the thread.
This isn’t something I’d seen before. So cool!! Thanks for sharing your work and process with us!
Thank you for looking at my work! My website dives a bit deeper into this interesting technique! I talk about developing the pattern and talk about period examples.
I really love this piece. The lettering is so elegant and the texture looks sumptuous.
Thank you! I developed this lettering after researching period fonts and based it off a font made for a different tablet weaving technique(double face double turn). I definitely needed to make changes to fit the appropriate amount of cards used, and tweak it to better fit the different technique (monochromatic twist patterning).
The texture of the checkerboard is REALLY neat… It was a great unexpected result!
A less dedicated weaver would have just done the lettering in a second color! Your Laurel chose wisely.
That is stunning! I love how you incorporated the Latin into the pattern — it came out beautifully!