Taaniko designing

Just doing a spot of taaniko design for the kura kaupapa korowai. I just use a spreadsheet where I can adjust the sizes of the rows and columns to reflect my tension.

It takes ages and there isn't a quick way of changing colours. But at least it's adjustable and not just squares like graph paper. There's got to be a better programme. Does anyone know of one? It needs to have adjustable rows and columns sizes,  easy fill colouring, and preferably some way of changing the colors with the press of one or two buttons. I would also like to be able to mirror and flip groups of colored 'squares'. I do hope someone out there has a solution. 

Peacock Arapaki

Nearly finished, just a few more rows on the back. I have used the threadline silky taaniko thread for the tassels and unraveled them after I had stitched then on.   These made nice wriggly tassels.

Alexandra

Another successful weekend school at Alexandra with 19 new weavers. They all are very keen and nearly all finished and those that didn't had people to help them finish. Two men came and joined in so well done guys. Look forward to seeing more men take up the challenge.
Next weekend is Otago museum on Sunday afternoon then back up to Christchurch on the 20th for a small weekend wananga. Finally a weekend at Mataura to round out the month.
ICB Cleaning supplies are waiting on a new supply of thick mop string so it will be interesting to see what the new shipment will be like.
I have cut thin mop string for two Arapaki and for one full cloak if anyone wants string already cut and waiting to be woven.

Kura Kaupapa

Today I went back to school.  Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Otepoti in Fairfield will be my school for Thursday afternoons for the next few terms as we work together to make a korowai for the school. Today we talked about design and had a go at drawing something the children thought would embody their school. Their designs are interesting and hopefully in the next week or two we will have decided on a design, feathers, size and taaniko pattern.
It is interesting going through the process with other people. Breaking down the decisions so that we can look at it all step by step helps me see what I usually do on the spur of the moment. I'm looking forward to this collaboration.

Peacock Jute Arapaki

I finished the black and white Arapaki a wee while ago. It's not too bad but the feathers are a bit fly away and not as good as I would have liked. However is done.  Enjoyed the taaniko.

Now I am starting a peacock Arapaki. I got some green silky taaniko thread and have based the colors on dark green. Of course when you look at the feathers from different angles they look blue rather than green. Oh well we'll see what it looks like with blue near the top. It has green tags in between the blocks. The feathers at the bottom are also peacock from a different part of the bird.  The feathers are lovely to work with as they are big and flat. They sit nicely when worked in and I have been using only two in a bundle and it seems to have worked well. 

This weekend I went up to Christchurch to teach one lady who had flown down from Wellington. Next weekend it will be twenty in Alexandra. This month will be busy.