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Before you get going you need to create your bias tape strips of fabric for weaving. When you purchase a wefty needle you get one for a 1-inch strip and a 1/2-inch strip. I would recommend weaving with the 1-inch strips for your first project and then move onto the smaller once you're comfortable with the process.
I am using strips from the moda "Just another walk in the woods" jelly roll so I needed to trim all the strips down to 2.0-inches to put them through the biased tape maker.
To aid in threading the fabric through the biased tape maker - cut the end of the strip at 45-degree angle. This will get the strip through smoothly and then you just press the fabric down to create a 1.0" strip with no raw edges that will show once the weaving is complete.
Once the biased strips are pressed cut them in half so they measure 1.0" to approximately 21.0".
Lay the red strips down so all the raw edges of the biased tape just made are facing the foam core. You should not be able to see any of the raw edges.
Use the map pins to pin each of the ends. Make sure each of the strips butt each other tightly but don't overlap. Pin one side of the strip and then pull the strip taught before pinning the opposite side.
Following the diagram in the book "Hex Weave and Mad Weave: An Introduction to Triaxial Weaving". - weave the second color (green in this case) at a 30-degree angle to the first strips). You will use your wefty needle to make this easier. At this point I highly recommend watching T Jaye's YouTube video on how this weaving is done. Seeing it happen will definitely aide you in understanding the process. You will also see how a second wefty needle will help you in the weaving process.
As you weave in the second color, use the map pins to secure each of the strips into place. After a few are woven in - double check that you have an accurate 30-degree angle. This will make the third layer of weaving go much more smoothly.
I was at a retreat when I started this project and while i had my helper (Trisha Frankland) there I wanted to at least get three strips in the opposite direction woven in so I knew where I was heading. Typically you would weave all of the second color in before you start the third color.
I personally found on the third strip woven in, it was super helpful to use a second wefty needle.
Before you know it - you'll have all three layers woven together! Seriously! How fun is this!?
Now - the tricky part. This is when you're going to be really happy that you remembered to put that layer of HeatnBond® Non-Woven Fusible Medium Weight down before you wove. Using your Oliso iron, press the woven area with a hot iron. You want to press enough that it activates the fusible but not so much that it melts the foam core.
Once the fusible is secure, removed the map pins and flip the project over so the fusible faces up. Draw a line at minimum 1/4" away from the edge of the fusible.
Sew a basting stitch right on that line. Once that's basted you'll feel a lot better moving your weaving around.
Draw a 18.0" x 11.5" rectangle onto the fusible. Stitch with a standard stitch length the line drawn. Trim outside the stitch just made for a 18.5" x 12.0" table mat.
Layer the backing fabric right sides away from the fusible and spray baste with SprayNBond® Basting Adhesive so the fabric lays against the weaving nicely. There are plenty of layers from the weaving so batting is not necessary in this project. Once the backing was fused on simply attach the binding in your preferred method. I chose not to quilt this piece - I love the woven look just as it is.
And just like that - you have a fun woven table mat! I love how Moda's "Just Another Walk in the Woods" fabric created "peek-a-boo's" in the weaving - can you find the couple, the raccoon, the house? I can say easily I will definitely be weaving more projects!
Final size: 18.5" x 12.0"
