I love my RH, and have been weaving on it for a couple of years.  I've noticed that the longer I weave on the fabric, the looser the outside several inches become compared to the middle of the fabric.  I have:  checked my tension and tried various techniques to make sure it is correct, used rigid sticks between layers when I'm winding on, used rigid sticks on the woven fabric as it winds on the front of the loom, and now it's happening again on a 22" wide alpaca mobius shawl I'm working on now.  Could it be that I'm stretching the selvedges while I'm weaving, and thus making that part of the fabric thinner, and therefore, losing its tension?  I can see how that might happen with a stretchy yarn, but it even happens with cotton.   Suggestions?

Comments

Fri, 02/01/2013 - 20:19

endorph

warp by direct or indirect method? Although as I ask that I am not sure that it would make much difference once you are beamed on - but its somewhere to start. I occasionally have this happen on wider warps - but it is usually only the outer four or five threads - thenI just weight that section and keep going. Sounds like yours may be more than just a few threads?
Fri, 02/01/2013 - 20:34

illoominated (not verified)

I've used both warping methods...same result. The last project I did was narrow, and as I remember, I didn't have the same problem.  Perhaps it is the width of the projects.  What is your preferred method of weighting 5 - 10 ends on each side?  In the past, I put a small dowel under the affected threads on the back beam.  I guess I'm looking for a reason as to why this happens...yet another mystery in my adventures with fiber.

 

Fri, 02/01/2013 - 20:51

endorph

use small fishing weight on an s-hook - samll being about 6 - 8 ounces - I hang the s-hook around the loose threads then hang the weight on the s hook. It just slides along as you advance the warp. I know on wider warps I actually try and have my outer edges under a bit more tension then the middle when I am lashing on - do you tie on or lash on to the apron rod? I find lashing on gives me better control on getting good tension from the start. I need to think on this for a bit. . .
Sat, 02/02/2013 - 14:54

SallyE (not verified)

As you weave, is your cloth the same width as the warp in the reed, or does it pull in at the sides?   If it pulls in, you could be streatching your outside threads and may need to use a temple while weaving.

Also, when you tie to the cloth beam, how wide are the groups you tie on with?  You said your width is 22," so you should be tying on about an inch or an inch and a half per group - 15 to 22 tie-on groups.

Finally, just to cover the bases, you are using lease sticks while beaming on, right?

Sat, 02/02/2013 - 15:56

Cat Brysch

(1) Have you ever measured the diameter of your warp beam and your cloth beam to make sure they are the same in the center of each and at the outer portions of each....and sometimes aprons have more of an affect on your tension than you might think! Also, do not overlook the problem being at the cloth beam and not the sticks/etc at all! (2) I routinely put on 70 yards at a time and use paper throughout the process, dressing front to back.... have your tried a rather substantial weight of paper, winding it in with your warp as you go? I get mine at Home Depot in their painting department where the rolls of drop papers are sold. I get the 36" wide and turn it sideways to measure the width of my warps which are usually well over 40"....and as every time a paper falls out, I've woven another yard! (3) Might your warp be easing out of it's chosen width on the warp beam, causing it to loosen and be less "packed"? Best of luck and let us know how it's going!

Sun, 02/03/2013 - 14:01

illoominated (not verified)

Thanks for all your input. I'm working on my rigid heddle loom, but your suggestions about loose edges occurring on a floor loom are good ones for me to visit. I sometimes have the same issue on that, but only a few threads.  To Cat: great idea on measuring in yards! I have cardboard that I use on my big looms, but I the like painters paper for the RH.  I noticed a little spreading when I warped indirectly, so I started to use sticks vs paper so I can see what's happening, and I was hopeful that the rigidity of the sticks might keep everything, at least, a little more level.  To Endorph:  This morning, I put pencils under the warp on the loose parts of the warp.  It's working, but what a pain to have to redo it every time I advance the warp.  S hooks are on the Lowe’s list.  Is it okay to put several threads on the same S hook, or will the back of my loom look like a charm bracelet?  To Sally:  Not much pull in on my rigid heddle projects. (Now, the waffle weave on my floor loom is a different story! LOL)  I group small, and I use lashing on to a cord on the front beam rod on my Ashford RH (that’s their suggestion on the youtube video).  I’ll try tying directly to the rod on the next project.  You got me thinking...maybe that skinning little rod on the front beam bows somehow while I’m beaming on.   I’ll look closely next time.

Sun, 02/03/2013 - 14:36

endorph

put several threads on each s-hook - its usally only the outer five or six threads I have problems with so one s-hook and weight on each side with five or six threads apiece. You can also use large washers if you don't have the fishing weights.