Hello Housemates!

Happy HalloWeave! Many of you may not really know me, I tend to be the silent partner in Weavolution; I will often times be the one to respond to help emails and the like. My wife Erica and I run the site. I am not a Weaver, but I am a "Maker". I have made several tools and fixtures for Erica to use in her weaving. I built her a warping board and warping stand set, a Warping Valet, and Warping Trapeze, to name a few. I also turn drop spindles on my Lathe, as well as craft small portable rigid heddle and Sprang looms. 

A couple Prizes this month will actually be Drop Spindles with Whorls made of Purple Heart Wood, with Linden (Lime) Wood shafts!

What are you going to Make?

Oli J

Comments

Sun, 10/04/2015 - 13:55

[email protected]

The imminent (end of 2015) closing of The Mannings has lit my fire to restore my 4 harness counterbalance Gallinger Loom.  This loom had been in Osma Gallinger Tod's Coral Gables, Florida studio when she taught me to weave.  I had no idea there would be prizes but I must say that the beautiful exotic wood spindles are also quite inspiring.

It will take a few days or so to figure out what to make.  I don't have the warping equipment that we used in her studio but since I recently acquired an AVL warping wheel, recreating the Gallinger warping creel reed is lower on my wish list.  I suspect I will find something that must be made since the loom has not been threaded since my husband rescued it in many pieces from a trash pile more than 30 years ago.  The cherry wood of the loom is beautiful so it stood in my living room as decor for many years while I had no time for weaving.  

I have always been a sucker for exotic wood tools and kept most of mine even when I gave away commercial tools that others could put to good use.  My favorite very thin narrow stick shuttle inspired a trip to Rhinebeck last October.  Although it did not lead to a woodworking collaboration, several wood workers were interested in uses for their expensive scraps.  

I am thinking about making something that will incorporate the Gallinger signature (rounded) curve of the beater.  My husband has scraps of red birch from remodeling our house that can provide a bit more exotic complement than trying to match the cherry.  My husband has a full complement of tools for metal and wood.  I bought a small scale carving tool when I accompanied him to a woodworking show a few years ago.  I have also taken wood turning lessons working with wet maple.  

Long term, I would like to be able to make small tools, like bobbins for lace and tapestry.  I am looking forward to hearing what others have in mind and how they will work out the details.

Mon, 10/05/2015 - 21:19

Mutz

Wow I'm a little intimidated by what fjacobson posted. I won't be rebuilding any parts of a loom. I do want a small hand held item that I can do some small samples on. Most of my weaving has been with novelty yarn up to this point so I would like to make a tiny sample from some cones of weaving yarn so I can see what type of fabric I will get, more or less. I sort of have an idea in mind for a hand held sampler and I don't think it will take long to cut out what I need on my scrollsaw.

since this is a challenge, I should also try to finally get around to making a small hand held loom that I've been wanting to make for a few years. It is for needle weaving Tenerife lace. I know it is not standard weaving, but it is needle weaving, so I hope it would count for the group.

Mon, 10/05/2015 - 22:06

Reesecorgi

Hi All!

 I'm not old guard, nor a long term weaver, but self taught and having fun! I bought a 60" LeClerc Nilus 4/6 used, and have replaced all the old and worn parts and heddles. I have wanted a couple of "loom holsters" to hang from the front beam to hold my tools and shuttles, especially when doing weaves with 5-6 different colored yarns. It will reduce the dropped/ twisted/confused frustration factor significantly to have a handy spot to slip the shuttle into at the end of a pick. I also want it to accommodate my small hooks, tools, and scissors where I can easily find them.

While not as ambitious as carving or restoring a loom, it's a doable project for me in between other responsibilities. I've got a plan in mind for two natural leather, adjustable devices that will fit the bill nicely I think!

Tue, 10/06/2015 - 00:50

[email protected]

Reesecorgi's holsters sound terrific.  I am not restoring my Gallinger this month, just willing to make replacement for a missing piece of wood--the first of which already turned up in my living room having missed the move to the attic a few years ago. I think Mutz's plans are grand!!  Making some small replacement part by copying what falls apart in my hand is not like building a loom!  We should have fun though since I am also into lace and all of the varied equipment used to make it. It had not occurred to me to make lace equipment for Halloweave challenge.  If I fail miserably at my own challenge, may have to rethink that later in the month. I think I will start by making a wooden comb with curved back inspired by the Gallinger curve to use with my beaterless Master Weaver (rotating delrin pattern discs as fixed rigid heddle) looms.  I have 2 different widths so could become a pair of combs--rather like cross between tapestry beater and raddle--in wood like the Gallinger creel reed.  I have noticed more and more tapestry beaters foregoing wooden teeth for metal teeth, sometimes taken from a dog comb--it would take convincing me to not do it all in wood.   
Tue, 10/06/2015 - 05:44

Reesecorgi

FJacobson, I agree with the all wood preference. To me, weaving is a kinesthetic experience. Rich, smooth hardwoods, lush textured yarns and fibers... Metal feels and looks alien to me in that company, with the reed and heddles the necessary exceptions.

 That's why I'm going to use leather for my holsters. And they won't scratch my beam and frame.

Tue, 10/06/2015 - 06:22

Gone

Hehe, no wonder I could only find a few pictures of the holster. I thought it was called a 'shuttle trap'.  I just made one about a week ago. Just a couple of "J" shaped pieces of wood. I used dowels that run the length of the breast beam and just cottom cloth as the holster. I felted padded inside the J where it slips over the breast beam. Works just fine.

I love making things too. I made my spool holder, a tension box w/pivoting reed. 2 warping boards. I'm no pro woodworker but I get it done and it works. Wood is s wonderful material to work with. The older the wood the better it works.

Tue, 10/06/2015 - 10:40

[email protected]

I do not like making extra holes or scratches in beautiful loom parts.  The leather is a great idea.  I bet leather would be a good thing to consider for tethering things that drive you nuts when they fall to the floor--or perhaps a net like structure within reach under the loom.

Tue, 10/06/2015 - 10:53

Reesecorgi

Hey Tom, do you have a pic of your design? I'm having trouble visualizing how the dowels are located so they don't interfere with the emerging fabric and warp as it comes over the front beam. What I have in mind won't work with a full width weave, as there won't be enough free beam at the ends to allow the holster to hang and not touch the warp.

Tue, 10/06/2015 - 11:00

Reesecorgi

I have some gorgeous exotic wood shuttles made by a craftsman up on the Oregon coast. I want leather so as to also be kind to them! A couple are birds eye maple and ebony, 2 are tiger wood, Padua, and walnut. Again, a joy to eye and hand. 

Tue, 10/06/2015 - 19:15

Oli J

Cant wait to see the pictures of projects start to post! I will be out in the workshop tomorrow starting on my HalloWeave projects! 

Shhh... but I may be planning to make a shuttle or 2 for Ericas Yule!

Also have some small cups I need to make for a Viking themed event we are going to attend in a few weeks!

All fun things! 

The shuttle holsters sound cool! Please post pictures!

 

Tue, 10/06/2015 - 19:54

Mutz

Sampler loom

 

Well it isn't much compared to the wonderful things everyone else is talking about, but I made m sampler loom and even started a sample on it. I started a project so I could post some photos Here. http://weavolution.com/project/mutz/sampler-loom

There is lots of draw in, so I might need to cut a tiny slit on the edges to hold some sturdy thread to help prevent the draw in. I used my wood burner to mark off the inch increments. 

For some reason my photos are posting gigantic. Sorry about that.

Tue, 10/06/2015 - 21:05

[email protected]

I like your loom's outsized rounded corners and marked grid.  It is a prototype for something elegant but you already have incredible return on your investment in time and materials.  Joining late and finishing first--great combination!

Wed, 10/07/2015 - 05:10

Reesecorgi

Trying to upload a pic, but not succeeding. Tried copy and paste since couldn't find an attachment icon. Help?

Did upload pic to Thor's House, but can't see it here. Do have it on my project page, tho.

Wed, 10/07/2015 - 16:20

Oli J

The photo isnt posting. But your Holster Project did post to the group! So thats awesome!

The Sampler loom looks Great!

I will hopefully have first progress pic up tomorrow!

Wed, 10/07/2015 - 20:56

Mutz

Thank you, FJacobson. I made the large rounded corners so I could hold it easily. I'm not sure if it is a prototype or the real deal. Although there could be argument for prototype as I think my mother-in-law would love one for Christmas. And I think on that is 5x5 weaving would make a nice format for small coasters or greeting cards. 

 

I won't have time to work on my Tenerife lace needle weave loom this week. I am hoping I can work on it next week though.

Wed, 10/07/2015 - 21:03

Mutz

those holsters look quite handy. You did a great job. You can organize so much in such a small area. 

the only way I could figure out to get a photo here was to put it on a project page first. Then I clicked and held to get the option to copy the photo Url. Then in the post click on the little tree icon. That opens a window that lets you paste the Url

Thu, 10/08/2015 - 02:32

[email protected]

I found the pictures and in the process also found responses that I could add to that would stay with your thread.  So now I want to add learning how/when to separate thread within a group discussion to my Halloweave goals.  Thank you also for sharing the picture posting experiences and tips.  

My wooden comb planning progressed today in a way that is a huge relief.  I don't have elves, spiders, or wizards to clear the clutter in the woodworking shop.  A woodworking store e-mail about a scroll saw class gave me the idea to search for wooden comb made with a scroll saw.  Bingo--great way to go and small enough piece of equipment to set up without months of clearing out what wanders into the garage.  

Mustache combs are informing my design. I am sure I will enjoy the opportunity to experiment with the scroll saw.  It may satisfy my craving for very thin wood tools. Wink

Mon, 10/12/2015 - 23:00

[email protected]

Picked out a thinly planed 3 x 30 inch strip of red birch from my husband's scrap bin.  I think of the tool as a comb to use in lieu of a beater for my MasterWeaver looms.  The wider one is 24 inches but I am not sure I want to make one that wide since the other loom is half the width.  I have to chew on that while I work on spacing the teeth.

Sat, 10/24/2015 - 00:34

Mutz

As I struggled to warp my last project I decided to build one more thing. since I've been warping front to back, I need a holder for my reeds and lease sticks. I went to the store last night and picked out some nice walnut dowels and a 24" walnut board that I will cut in half to use as the base piece.

Sun, 11/01/2015 - 04:03

Mutz

Hexagon loomImproved smaller lace loom

i finished the Tenerife lace looms and even warped them and started the needle lace. Unfortunately the hexagon developed a crack along the grain. I reinforced it with glue so i think it will work fine anyway. The smaller round one I added an improvement and cut in a tiny grove to hold my starting thread, and it works wonderfully. I also made a tiny bobbin to use with the looms. I think it is too tiny to be really handy, but I finally turned something small and thin on my husbands lathe without breaking it. So I will be making more bobbins for myself in the future. 

My husband told me to prevent the wood cracking on the grain for any future loom, then I should have just turned the pattern slightly about 15 degrees so none of the sides were on straight grain

Sun, 11/01/2015 - 04:05

Mutz

Oh and happy Halloween everyone! I really had loads of fun playing around in the wood shop this month.

Sun, 02/21/2016 - 17:36

Wyldeflowyr

I'm very impressed - it's lovely!

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Thor’s House 2015