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Dragonflies Alight Scarf | Project PDF

Project Type Scarves/Shawls, Accessories
Loom Type Multi-Shaft Floor or Table
Number of Shafts 4
Number of Treadles 4
Weave Structures Plain Weave, Manipulated Structures, Inlay
Magazine Issue Handwoven Spring 2026
Author Cheryl White
Format Project/Pattern

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The Theo Moorman inlay technique used in this project results in patterns on only one side of the fabric.

About this Project

Dragonflies have always fascinated designer Cheryl White—their fast flight, fierce nature, and those gorgeous sparkling wings—what’s not to love? When she discovered transparency inlay on sheer linen, butterflies, another longtime love, were her first subject. Later, she explored the Theo Moorman technique, which results in patterns on only one side of the fabric and produces cloth useful beyond the delicate curtains or display pieces typical of transparency inlay. Inlay techniques allow for pictorial results on a plain background, and while this is not boat-shuttle weaving, it is faster than tapestry. Inlay can be used to create basic shapes, or it can show more complex detail and lots of color while requiring only small amounts of yarns.

Contents

  • Project Instructions PDF

Details

Structure
Theo Moorman inlay.

Equipment
4-shaft loom, 9" weaving width; 15-dent reed; 1 shuttle; 8 small netting shuttles or similar yarn holders. (Note: Inlay yarn can also be wound into butterflies.)

Yarns
Warp: 16/2 Supima cotton (6,720 yd/lb; Georgia Yarn Company), Black, 771 yd.
Weft: 16/2 Supima cotton, Black, 381 yd. 20/2 spun silk (250 yd/100 g; Georgia Yarn Company), #A2 Peacock, #A5 Turquoise, #A6 Purple, and #A10 Ochre, less than 20 yd each. Metallic yarns, no more than 20 yd of each color. (Note: Cheryl used metallic yarns from her stash. Many needlework suppliers have small spools of metallic yarns.) 10/2 mercerized cotton (4,200 yd/lb; UKI Supreme), #154 Forest Green, less than 20 yd. (Note: #154 Forest Green is discontinued. Size 8 DMC pearl cotton in Black Forest is an alternative.)

Dimensions
Width in the reed: 8 9⁄15".
Woven length: (measured under tension on the loom) 60".
Finished size: (after wet-finishing) 7½" × 50" plus 6½" fringe.

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