Stabilizing transparency weaving. 

I’m trying for the first time to weave a transparency with 16/2 linen warp and weft (sett 16 epi).   The inlay is slub rayon.  The ground weft tends to shift during and after weaving especially as it goes over the breast beam. I can manually readjust the weft positions, but fear they won’t stay put when I remove from the loom and handle the piece.  Is there a finishing technique to stabilize?

 Betty

 

Comments

Thu, 05/01/2014 - 19:22

sally orgren

I took a workshop with Teresa, who has work featured in Dormay Keasbey's Transparency book. She had us weave a border of the thicker weft all the way around as a stabilizer, about 1".

Also, try packing/covering the cloth take-up beam in the front with something smooth so the knots are covered and they don't pull at the warp.

Fri, 05/02/2014 - 01:30

Joanne Hall

If your sett is 16/ inch, then you should have 16 picks per inch in the ground weave.  A balanced weave is very stable.  However, 16/2 linen will not give you a very transparent weave.  If you can use a more neutral color for the warp, a finer thread will give you a more transparent ground weave.  Or, if you need color, use 16/1 for the weft for the ground weave.  That will make it more transparent, even at 16 wefts per inch.

Joanne