Shadow Weave on Four Shafts ~ Without a Shadow

I’ve decided to finally buckle down and apply myself and attack one of the test questions looming over me!

I am still chugging along on the Senior level of the GCW Master Weavers program, well chugging could be an exaggeration, moseying may be a better word. The Senior level has test questions #21 – 30, and this one is for question #29 entitled Colour and Weave. The question is in four sections. Part A is a briefly written piece about Colour and Weave. Part B is a briefly written piece about Shadow Weave. Part C is weave a sample of either Shadow Weave or Colour and Weave on 4 or more shafts. Part D is a record and draft of the woven piece. Sounds easy right! This is a single pattern repeat of my chosen pattern.
I decided to make it easy on myself and do a 4 shaft Shadow Weave. I chose to do the piece in navy and turquoise 2/8 unmercerized cotton. My colour choice had two criteria, the first being that I wanted a strong contrast and the second is that it had to be out of my stash. I've only put on two yards and plan to get it right the first time (or two).The rules state that I must weave it a minimum of 12" x 18" finished and may not use floating selvedges (drat!).This piece need not be an original pattern so this draft came from Marion Powell’s book titled 1000(+) Patterns in 4, 6, and 8 Harness Shadow Weave. This book is without a doubt one of the best resources for Shadow Weave that I have found, I really recommend it. Here are a few facts about Shadow Weave. Shadow weave is usually set on a twill sequence threading, it is not a true twill, but rather a plain weave with two thread skips, which because of the use of two colors, one dark, one light, alternating in both warp and weft, make shadows between the changes of the hatching. Shadow weave threads run at a 45 degree angle with distinct dark row alternating with a distinct light row with the edge threads interwoven with each other in a definite feather stitch pattern. If you use an ascending progression a dark thread precedes a light thread; descending is the reverse. Shadow weave is a firm durable weave which is completely reversible. This is my guilty purchase for the year, OK maybe not my only guilty purchase, but the latest one anyway! It arrived just like this, nothing but the clear plastic wrap and my name on the side, and it was just abandoned in my carport - they must have been sure it was ment for me...I have been eyeing a steam press for a couple of years and was hoping to buy one second hand, but one never appeared on any of the sites I searched. I found this one on the internet but always talked myself out of this rather large purchase, until Ngaire found it discounted $60.00 at Costco! It was meant to be I guess! I’ve always felt that my pressing is my weak spot, I just can’t seem to press hard enough, so hopefully this will fix that problem. By the way the table cloth the steam press is siting on was made by my mother in the 1950's and it a real treasure! This press has settings for different types of fibres, from synthetic to linen, so it should fit all my needs.And it has lots of steam jets! Apparently it only needs 4 seconds in contact with the fabric to press it perfectly. I’m looking forward to giving it a try and seeing if it really performs as I hope it does. Now where, oh where do I put it!