How to weave glass.

In this blog I will attempt to demystify the glass weaving process.

Cut strips of glass and arrange them on a slumping form(s). For this exercise I have extruded, bisque-fired, and kiln washed some furniture specifically for weaving. Kiln posts, stainless steel tubing, or tile strips, will work as well. The strips pictured measure 11"x1.5"

Heat the glass in the kiln to slumping temp, pictured here at 1200 degrees Fahrenheit. Note: At this temp the glass did not slump as much as I would have liked it to, but I was still able to work with it.

Because the resulting warp threads are shallower than anticipated, I will have to cut the weft threads down to 3/4".

Invert every other warp thread to form a channel, into which the weft threads will slide.

Begin weaving the glass by sliding the weft threads thru the warp threads in a staggered fashion. This will prevent the warp threads from shifting laterally during assembly. Avoid edge-grinding the weft threads if at all possible, the resulting chipped edges will "grab" the warp threads, making the weaving a lot more difficult. As you continue to add the weft threads, the weave will get tighter. Using WD40 to lubricate the final threads will make things easier, and it will burn out clean in the kiln.

Continue to weave the warp threads until the "cloth" is finished.

Fire the woven glass to tack fuse only. Weaving glass is a matter of technique AND texture. If the glass is fired too high, it will lose it's definition, and look like ordinary cross-hatching.

This example was my very first attempt at weaving glass(with finer threads).

Here is another example, also using finer threads.