One of the joys of weaving is in discovering the unknown and playing with ideas. I’ve often found my most interesting pieces are the ones that I’ve woven toward the end of a long warp. Prior to that I’m following a plan, but once I’ve proven my design works to my satisfaction, I’ll start looking around for ways to change it, sometimes to great effect, although not always!
We designed the November/December 2022 issue of Handwoven around exploration and experimentation. We want to see projects based on “as if” and “what if.” When used in weaving, “as if” isn’t a retort from a petulant teenager but instead describes threading for one structure and treadling for a different one. The results can be very interesting. “What if” in weaving, and in life, means trying something new. You start out with one plan and then through experimentation, find other interesting paths to follow.
Here is the official issue theme:
November/December, 2022—“Exploring The Ifs” Many aspects of weaving are clear-cut but there is still room to play. This issue will look at the “as ifs” and “what ifs” of weaving. “As ifs” are those times when a weaver decides to weave a threading using another structure’s treadling, and the “what ifs” are when a weaver decides to throw caution to the wind and experiment in ways that are new, or at least new to them. Articles should expound on the same theme of exploration in weaving and new approaches to the craft or to using handwovens.
Check out the palette for the issue here!
Please note that we have changed our submission process and are also using a new submission form. We base our project selections for each issue on contributor photographs. We will review the proposals and ask for additional photographs if needed, to be sent in by the beginning of February 2022 for this issue. After the project-selection meeting, we will contact everyone whose project is accepted and ask that it be submitted along with the project paperwork.
Proposals for projects and articles due: 01/17/2022
Submissions in the form of photographs and article outlines due: 03/07/2022
Final submissions, including projects and paperwork, due: 04/18/22
If you would like to get a head start on the paperwork, look here to choose the one that fits your project.
Please use our Handwoven submission form for proposals. Submission guidelines can be found here.
Please use the email address below for inquiries that won’t fit into our submission form. Please contact us and ask for a physical address to send any pieces of your proposal that cannot be emailed.
Editorial email
[email protected]
This is your chance to try something new that has been rattling around in your head for a while. I can’t wait to see what you do when you push on some of the boundaries of weaving.
Weave well,
Susan