Hi everyone,

I am a novice weaver and I had a question about draw in. I haven't been using a temple-I will buy one or 2 shorty and start using them. My real question is whether draw in is inevitable, or can it be prevented (or greatly minimized) with improved technique.

I'm weaving cotton dish towels in 8/2 cottolin, 21" in the reed, 19 3/4" with the draw in. I tried using clips with weights at the selvedges initially, but the clips were too long, and hit the beater when the fabric was advanced, so that didn't help. The draw in was at the beginning of the weaving, and hasn't worsened at all.

I have noticed some looseness of threads on the left side-I don't know whether this is related to the draw in, or just poor technique with my warping. I've tried to weight them, which hasn't solved the problem. Maybe it's slightly improved.

Any insight would be appreciated.

Helana

 

Comments

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 01:02

laurafry

A temple will definitely help but you might want to check my you tube channel where I have video clips on things like handling and throwing the shuttle, winding bobbins and so on. I'm on my iPad so don't have the link handy. Do a search on you tube for lauraannfry1 Cheers Laura
Wed, 04/10/2013 - 01:08

midwifehc

Laura,

I will check them out. Thank you. 

BTW-I am hoping to take one or two of your classes at NEWS-depending on whether I get my 1st, 2nd or 3rd choices of course.

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 14:46

laurafry

Hope to meet you there.  :)

cheers,

Laura

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 18:14

Queezle

I, too, am mostly a novice weaver, and one who is returning after a 15yr+ hiatus.  I've never used a temple, but was intrigued by an approach I found somewhere on the internet using an opened paperclips on the selvedge thread attached to weights.  Has anyone used that approach, and if there are preferred temples, which is easiest?

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 20:43

mrdubyah (not verified)

What you're describing is a weft stretcher or weighted temple.  They work just fine and I use them a lot.  You can use an open paper clip but that might make a hole in the fabric.  I prefer a bulldog clamp, paper clamp, or (for older looms) clothespins.  Tie stout cords tightly from front beam to back beam outside the weaving on both sides of the loom.  Put the clip on the selvedge and tie it, over the side cord, to a weight (I use a small rock in a cloth or mesh bag).  The weight will pull the selvedge outward.  You can see a photo of the clothespin model in use on an historic loom here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrdubyah/8612759349/in/photostream/