I’ve had a little play with the Derwent Inktense Pencils on watercolour paper. I won’t win any prizes for my drawing but it does demonstrate how satisfying it is to use these water-soluble pencils. Drawing with Derwent Inktense Pencils The pencil core (or “lead”) feels quite waxy on the rough textured paper, and the pigment […]
Author Archives: Allison Holland
27
Feb
Feb
How a Dobby Loom Works A dobby weaving loom has a dobby mechanism, which is used to program the harness combinations for the weave pattern. Dobby is short for “draw boy†which refers to the weavers helper who controlled the warp thread by pulling on draw threads. The dobby mechanism replaces the treadle/lam combination of […]
17
Dec
Dec
It’s been a busy few weeks here at George Weil so it was good to get together and let our hair down. Thank you Ian for our Christmas treat! Top, left to right: Cara, Sophie, Jo and Ian Middle, left to right: Ian, Susan and David Bottom, left to right: Simon, (Cara in the background), […]
28
Nov
Nov
Reduce, reuse, recycle – here’s a fun way to add bling to used glass jars for Christmas, parties or weddings. Simply make up a solution of the glistening Pearl Ex pigments and clear Deka Cristal glass paint and decorate away! How to Mix the Pearl Ex and Glass Paint Solution Jacquard Pearl Ex Pigments can […]
15
Nov
Nov
Have you ever been disappointed by the results of the washing machine dyes you find at the supermarket? The zip or the stitching didn’t take the dye colour? This is why it is important to know the fibre content and which dyes to use to get an even colour which stays washfast. Here we include […]
25
Sep
Sep
It’s never too late to change direction in life and customer Jo Aylwin is living proof! Before training as a solicitor, Jo had discovered weaving as a student in Norway in 1975. Although in love with the craft, she did not encounter weaving again for another 30 years. The workshop she attended at UCA Farnham […]
24
Sep
Sep
Here’s another colourful craft project for children from Cara Barrell. These personalised towels were created using a waterproof adhesive tape as a resist and Procion MX fibre reactive dyes. Procion MX dyes are formulated specifically for dyeing natural plant fibres such as cotton and linen. They are permanently fixed to the fabric when combined with […]
28
Aug
Aug
Dye-Lishus Cotton Sliver is an undyed, PFD (prepared for dyeing) cotton fibre that has been treated to accept dye colour directly using any dye stuff. The cellulose structure is changed so that it behaves as if scoured and mordanted in preparation for dyeing before it goes to the mill; there is no chemical added to […]
News and Celebration, Silk Painting
When Life Gives You Lemons – OR what to do with spilt Javana Silk Paint
19
Jul
Jul
What indeed! Poor Sophie had a minor disaster this morning while picking a customer’s order. She reached out to pick up a jar of yellow Javana Silk Paint which promptly fell out of her hands. The lid cracked when it hit the floor and Sophie was covered in a citrusy yellow paint. It was very […]
08
May
May
We’re often asked by customers if we do any of the many crafts featured on the George Weil website. And yes we do! This still life was painted by our colleague Allison using Daler Rowney System 3 Acrylics on Canvas Board. She chose a limited palette of Burnt Umber, Yellow Ochre, Ultramarine, White. “I chose to […]