November 2016, as part of the LONG JETTY FESTIVAL, I joined with three other ladies to run a community activity we called the Big Weave. We provided one large frame, a collection of old frames secured together to make another weaving structure and a variety of individual weaving frames along with baskets of wearable materials. People passing by, enjoying the festival, were invited to join us and try their hand at weaving. This was my first introduction to Free-style Weaving.
After my initial weaving experience, I realised I enjoy the tactile element and the "no rules approach" to this free-style approach to this art form so I began to experiment. My WARP and WEFT, tradition weaving terms, are different re-cycled textiles and/or materials found in nature - whatever I have at hand. The FRAME used to hold the weaving is not removed but is included as the art. I add elements of macrame and stitching. The whole process allows my creativity to wander and to explore as I enjoy the fun of "making."
Apart from the tactile elements I think "free-style weaving" is great because:-
it's different
very creative with a wide scope for variety
it's rather inexpensive
re-cycle or up-cycle aspects
items can be sourced from nature
it's rather quick to do
doesn't require fine motor skills
weaving on circular frames
flowers - fan fronts
twisted stick series (combining weaving, macrame, stitching etc.)