Weavercrafthall Festival Competition Entries

From time to time, when festivals or Gathers are held on PernMUSH, the celebration host may hold description competitions. Being populated by many excellent descriptive writers, the Weavercraft always loves to provide entries to such competitions, and we have a fairly good reputation for winning things. :) In the spirit of self-promotion, this page is a display of our description competition entries.

Weavercraft Tapestry for the Bitran Gather
February or March 1997

A tapestry competition was held during the Bitra Gather, and Apprentice Kylee took the initiative to submit an entry for the Weavercraft. We were all thrilled to receive the award for the most unusual tapestry (our prize was some fireworks). Kylee credits Apprentice Master Broccal, Journeyrank Nalaya and Sr. Apprentice Cinzia for helping her get the idea to a more sound level.

Organized horizontally across a plainly woven tapestry, large block letters stitched in bright rainbow colors spell out WEAVERCRAFT. Each section of the tapestry is divided by more block letters spelling out the name of each fiber. A double-sided material holds all of the samples in place for easy removal and replacement.

COTTON

The outline of a cotton plant, stitched in dark brown thread, begins the lesson. The cotton boll holds a large sample of raw cotton. An embroidered arrow points to the next example of a braided length of spun cotton. The braid is attached at the top and flutters with any movement of the tapestry. A second arrowhead leads the eye to the finished product - a miniature nightshirt dyed a pale blue.

SISAL

The next lesson begins with sisal. Dark greyish-green leaves from a sisal plant stick to the tapestry. Arrows point to a stick figure crushing and drying the leaves. Following this, a stick figure holds up a small skirt of silky-smooth red brocade.

FLAX

A flax plant, with a real stem, has been painstakingly stitched. Stitched figures pull the long fibers from the stem. A stick figure wearing a doll-sized shirt of fine linen completes the lesson.

WOOL

An embroidered ovine and llama stand facing each other. Real samples of their fleece are attached. A stick figure shears the ovine and another combs the llama. Small examples of each lie in heaps beside them.

Finally, a soft sweater and a small knitted hat clothe a smiling man. A small tag bears a squared K indicating this is App. Kylee's work.

Weavercraft Exhibit for the Ruatha Runner Festival
December 20, 1996

This description was created for a "Best Exhibit Contest" held at a Ruatha Runner Festival in late 1996 (IC: 16th Turn of the 10th Pass). The Weavercraft was extremely pleased when our entry won first place! Our prize was a large wooden model of the Northern Continent of Pern, crafted by Journeryank Woodsmith Leianna.

The following people are to be credited with writing the descriptions for this display:

Credit is also due to Jr. Apprentice Cinzia for helping come up with the idea of representing the five subcrafts. The entire project was coordinated by Journeyrank Broccal.

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Before you is the WeaverCraft's contribution to the Ruathan Runner Festival. This exhibit is divided into 5 sections, one for each of the Weaver subcrafts. Arranged in a semicircle under the Craft's banner, a lavender bolt of cloth on a white field, they are, from left to right: Dyeing Subcraft which deals with colour theory, herbs for dyeing, and dyeing processes; Fibre Subcraft which deals with decortication, the extraction and pounding of fibre pulp, spinning, etc; Knitting Subcraft which knits, crochets, makes lace and does other close work; Tailoring Subcraft which clothes Pern and sets her fashions; and finally the Weaver Subcraft which takes the fibre of the fibre subcraft to produce cloth and tapestries.

Looking closely at the exhibit, you notice each subcraft's 'details'.

Dyeing Subcraft

Under the 'Dyeing subcraft' is what appears, at first glance, to be a painting with meticulous brushwork. Under closer examination the threads of material, and the differing textures of fabric that have been dyed, become apparent. Behind painted, diaphanous sisal hangs linen dyed a deep lustrous blue -- the colour of a clear sky at summer's zenith. The translucent sisal, neatly attached to the top with almost invisible stitches, has been elaborately dyed in a unique display of art to show the relief of a northern forest. The sides are dominated by tall skybroom trees -- their dense-browns towering to tufted crowns of bushy needles -- and oak trees -- their lobed leaves picked out in painstaking detail. Illuminating the forest and one corner of the dyer's work, is Rukbat's fiery globe, giving the illusion that it sits in the perfect summer sky of the linen that lies underneath. In the other corner, a band of wild firelizards cavort -- their silken hides depicted in meadow-greens, indigo-blues and sandy-browns. Grass covered hills flow over the front of the sisal, the ends having been left unattached so that when a gentle breeze lifts it, the grass seem to sway in symphonic harmonies.

Fibre Subcraft

The Fibre subcraft's entry is a display of sisal in process of preparation, a long-held secret of the Weavercraft. First, you notice a sisal plant which has been prepared for fibre production. Its leaves have been stripped and it lays there bare, inviting your attentions. Beside it is a bundle of fibres. It's not clear how the fibres get from the previous stage to this. Obviously the weavers aren't wanting to let too may secrets out of the bag. Next you see the product of much pounding and twisting; the fibres have now been fused into a single yarn. This rough yarn is what you would likely see made into ropes in other crafts, weyrs, or holds. As your gaze moves to the next item, you are confronted with delicate, undyed, sisal threads. You should be able to note that the threads are much finer than the previous strands, making you suspect the fibre-producing weavers are still hiding some of their steps.

Knitting Subcraft

In the area set apart for the subcraft of knitting, lies a thick, warm sweater made from the finest, softest High Reaches wool, dyed the same deep brown as rich fertile soil. Lying face down, the characteristic triple twisted rib of Fort Sea Hold is only visible in the sleeves, for the back was knitted in a plain stitch that wouldn't distract from the design. A magnificent gold dragon soars across the back of the sweater, her wings stretched wide in jubilant flight, her mouth open in triumphant cry. Wingtip to wingtip, the majestic dragon stretches diagonally from shoulder to waistband, and looks animated enough to fly right over the opposite shoulder of the sweater. Lying beside the sweater is a second display, a hand-tatted lace shawl. Crocheted from the delicate sisal fibres only the Weavercraft can make, the fine black pattern is a combination of wide-petalled flowers and narrow-leafed vines, with a soft hanging fringe along the edges. This shawl is plainly made for the likes of a Lady Holder.

Tailoring Subcraft

The gown on display cries out for adoration of its fine lines, there is no doubt it is meant to be worn. The rich blue sisal, perfect for a sultry summer's gather, is trimmed in billowy white lace, tailored to be close-fitting at the bodice before flowing out into full skirts, allowing ample movement through intricate dance forms. The sisal -- which looks so soft to the touch -- has been dyed the deep azure blue of a clear summer sky at full darkness, betokening mysteries of the night with the twilight purples that flicker in your line of sight. The sleeves are full at the shoulders tapering towards the cuffs -- lace ties allowing the wearer to have them fitting snugly to her wrists. A sisal sash of the same ivory is draped across the hips, strands dangling from the left hip. The collar is fashioned of three-inch long stiffened lace, that draws attention upwards towards the wearer's face.

Weaving Subcraft

At the spot designated for the subcraft 'weavers' is a wondrous tapestry, pinned neatly to a smooth, flat board. Of a modest size, the tapestry appears rather simple at first glance -- a nature scene. Just then, the sunlight, or a ray from a nearby glow, catches on the amazingly fine threads and one can see that the tapestry is by no means ordinary, having been woven with the finest sisal cording. Some are even metallic in color, giving the pattern a sense of life and movement. The tapestry depicts a quiet stream scene, nestled within a valley, replete with Spring's delicate first flowers and small pebbles for the water to gurgle over. The skilled weaver has made the water in the stream appear to move as the viewer's angle is changed, capturing the soft bubbling sounds and the sighing of the wind within each thread. However, even if you scrutinise this tapestry closely, deciphering the weave that has produced this stunning effect would be impossible, this is a remarkable tapestry, and, if you look closely, you can see the mark of a Master Weaver stitched in one corner.

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