I thought Macomber owners would be interested in this video - this weaver keeps her Macomber hopping.  I understand now what weavers mean when they talk about their looms walking.  Is this typical or is she more enthusiastic than most?

http://www.marthastewart.com/914265/art-rug-weaving

Comments

Thu, 12/31/2015 - 04:04

Joanne Hall

I have never seen anyone beat that hard and that many times for each weft. 

Joanne

Thu, 12/31/2015 - 10:42

ReedGuy

I think rep weave and as wide as this is, it can take some extra work. If you look at Lundell's book and also watch Nielson's video it's more than just a shot and a bump. The shed is opened for the weft, closed, and beaten. The weft needs a large bell shape to it. What would help this woman alot is a temple.  Some people just refuse to use them. Look at this very cloth for a difference in what a temple can make. Top half with a temple. The weft is packed much better. And the top surface is not a tight sett in this.

Thu, 12/31/2015 - 16:33

Joanne Hall

This photo really does show the difference that a temple makes.  Many think that the temple is simply a way to get nice selvages, but it is a total quality issue.

Joanne

Thu, 12/31/2015 - 17:12

Michael White

Please note that in the video only the castle is moving leading me to believe that either the screws or the bolts holding the castle to the frame are loose. I see this a lot with the 18 Macombers at the University of Georgia weaving room that I look after. I see why it takes so long to make these rugs with a double beating and the hand seperating of the strands and making repairs to the weave. Most weavers that I know of back out a miswoven throw. Just my thoughs 

 

michael

Thu, 12/31/2015 - 22:48

GiaG

{sigh} So much to learn and so much to buy....I know I need to use temples but it appears that you need to buy a bunch of them and they're so expensive.  Is there a particular size that is most used or is there a dyi solution?  I've seen the paper clip thing but not sure how effective that is.

Fri, 01/01/2016 - 00:00

Joanne Hall

The two most popular sizes are the 16 to 23 and the 20 to 31.  That covers a lot of different project widths.  When you use a real temple, you won't go back to the paper clip.

Joanne

Fri, 01/01/2016 - 01:52

GiaG

Thanks to all of you for the information.  I've been putting off buying temples but I can see now they are a good investment.  

Fri, 01/01/2016 - 23:00

Joanne Hall

When I started teaching weaving, there was one macomber floor loom in the studio.  After starting the class I noticed this same problem.  Just about every bolt on the loom was loose.  It does work better if it is tightened up.

Joanne

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 02:23

Sara von Tresckow

Where do you start on this one? There are excellent rug looms out there - the Macomber is a sedcond best substitute. The beating technique is odd to say the least. A double beat usually takes place first on the current open shed, the shed is closed and on the next open shed, a second beat drives that weft closer before new weft is entered. With rep, that second beat - just one hard beat or whomp - also serves to clear the shed so that it isn't opened by hand. The beats on a real rug loom with massive parts - and beater - is not quick, it is slow, massive and mighty.

Winding warps on boards is inefficient for a manufacturer - good mills are much better. Dyeing in lots of 7 skeins when more than 200 are needed per rug is also a bit strange - there are affordable stainless pots that would hold 2 or 3 times that amount. This video shows someone trying to make a business out of techniques and equipment meant for a home hobby weaver. And the Shakers did not invent the umbrella swift.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 03:34

Deirdre King

Rep weave is one of the few weaving techniques that if sleyed correctly, you really don't need a temple.  I weave rep weave placemats, rugs and coasters on, yes, my Macombers, and have no draw-in.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 13:44

barleycorn

The Elizabeth Eakins rug comapany is a huge success and ships their rugs all over the world. Some of these rugs are made overseas but many are made in Conn. employing many weavers. I also found her beating technique a bit strange and other videos of her workshop show weavers using more conventional style countermarch rug looms. As far as dying in such small amounts, if you get close to her rug samples they do not use solid colors, maybe she feels that effect could not be controlled in a larger vat. I've also wondered about the wearability of some of these designs that show both the warp and weft but I guess if you can afford these rugs you could afford to buy new rugs again in a few years.

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 20:22

Joanne Hall

I went to the website and found that some of the rugs are woven by a factory, Kasthall in Sweden.  It is under the title Hagga rugs.  Recently there was a VAV article about this weaving place in Sweden.

The website shows the designs which are woven in Connecticut.

Joanne

Sun, 01/03/2016 - 20:41

sandra.eberhar…

Like Sara, I found the equipment that was demonstrated to be out of scale to what they are doing (a warping board???).  I wonder if this was done just for the purpose of making a video and is not the common work practice.  I could see using a jack loom for pattern experimentation, but I wouldn't want to use one as a production rug loom.