White Warp

For any non-weavers, In weaving cloth, the warp is the set of lengthwise yarns that are held in tension on a frame or loom. The yarn that is inserted over-and-under the warp threads is the weft. 

I have just threaded and beamed a new 9 yard warp entirely of white cotton to weave some Tea Towels.  As I work with the warp I keep asking myself, why white?  What a boring color.  I think to myself that I wish I was working with some exciting colors, a bright pink or sunny yellow; why white?

My answer is, white is like a blank canvas waiting for the colors to be applied.  Threading and warping the loom takes a lot of time to do so I like to use a long warp so I can weave several items from the same warp.  A white warp allows me to choose any color I want, knowing that white will work with all colors.

It is so exciting to start weaving with a color that exposes the pattern as I weave.  When I finish one towel I start another color and the excitement begins again.  Each new color makes me happy and wards off the boredom of weaving 9 yards of the same thing.

After a warp of white I do switch to something colorful for my next project, but you can't beat a white warp for it's versatility.  The possibilities are endless.