The Martha Table Runner Kit

This kit was originally created for our 35th weave-along. 

The Martha Table Runner is the perfect project for anyone looking to hone their foundational tapestry skills. Stripes may look simple, but they are not as easy as they look! You’ll learn techniques to perfect your use of weft tension, which can fix common tapestry issues such as pulling-in and the sett becoming uneven as you weave. Mastering this project gives you a great technical foundation for tapestry weaving and produces a gorgeous piece of useable art.

For this piece we have engaged the Fibonacci series which is a numerical depiction of patterns that occur in nature. We split the series up with some rectangles for which we will be using the weft interlock technique. Our sample is 14 inches long and 10 inches wide. But with the pattern we will provide, you will be able to make yours at least 24 inches long.

This table runner was named in memory of Martha (Beck) Parker (1926 - 2022) a daughter of immigrant parents from Ukraine and Poland. She was a student, teacher, therapist, activist, environmentalist and life-long learner. She was also a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, sister, cousin, and friend to many, two-legged and four-legged.

The tutorial for this project will teach you:
-How to set-up and warp a Mirrix Loom
-Tapestry techniques: Weaving straight lines, weft interlock
-How to finish a table runner

The kit includes:
-Ten one-ounce balls of Brown Sheep yarn in five colors (choose one of two colorways, spring or winter) (Pictured in winter.) 
-Two 100-yard bobbins of 12/6 Seine Twine warp *If you have a 28", 32" or 38" Loom we recommend purchase one extra bobbin of 12/6 Seine Twine warp 
-A tapestry needle 
-Access to Weave-Along 35 (includes a digital pattern) Downloadable instructions will be sent at the time of shipment.

This kit makes:
A table runner 10" x 14" (with the option to make it up to 24" long)

What do you need to begin: 
-A Mirrix Loom 16” or larger (contact us if you are planning to weave this on a 48” Loom) You can weave this on an extended shed loom (and will then want extended shed heddles) or a regular shed loom. (Loom needs an 8 dent warp coil.)
-A Martha Table Runner Kit
-A good pair of scissors and a measuring tape 
-A sewing needle and thread for finishing
-Heddles can be purchased separately if you plan to use the shedding device on a loom that has one (optional for this project). We will be demonstrating weaving on a loom with a shedding device on it. 
-A beater (or fork)
-A shuttle (optional)

PRODUCT DISCLAIMER AND WARNING: Users are encouraged to always use caution and care when handling weaving equipment. Mirrix Looms and accessories may have sharp, heavy and/or small parts. They are not intended for use by children. Warp coils must be secured and removed carefully as they have sharp ends. Combs may have sharp surfaces and should be handled with caution. Disassembling looms may cause parts not to align or fit properly when reassembling. Mirrix Tapestry & Bead Looms Ltd. is not liable for injury or equipment damage resulting from user misuse.