Hi,

New to my floor loom. I'm starting a project that will require me to change color every 4 picks. I'm not using a floating selvedge. Have no idea how to manage the shuttles at the edges (selvedge).

Would love to see visuals or a really well explained tutorial on how to do this.

Thanks in advance!

Michelle

Comments

Wed, 07/31/2013 - 13:50

sally orgren

Either enter at opposite sides, or have the shuttles follow each other.

My other "trick" when using multiple shuttles is to rest one up near the top of the castle when not in use. Tape a small box to the side of the loom, create a shelf, whatever it takes. This allows the unused weft to drape down as if a floating selvedge, and I can be sure to capture it when the active shuttle passes on that side of the warp.

Wed, 07/31/2013 - 15:27

mmurphy613

I'll be starting this next week. Would you mind if I posted a photo of my progress to see if I'm doing this correctly?

Thanks again,

Michelle

Wed, 07/31/2013 - 16:59

sally orgren

I was trying to post a photo earlier today, and suspect there was a glitch in the system as I was having difficulty. 

Definitely post a photo. With regard to shuttle order, you may want to test the two different ways at the beginning of the project, and see what you think.

Wed, 07/31/2013 - 18:12

sally orgren

In this case, I was using 4 shuttles. I attached little clips on the top of each side of the castle to hold the "resting" wefts up and out of the way, but still in a convenient position that I could catch them and carry along the selvedge.

Thu, 08/01/2013 - 03:41

Monica Bellas (not verified)

Wow!  I really like the idea of clipping the resting wefts up and out of the way.  I'm currently weaving a plaid, and had resorted to clipping each color change in the weft, as I couldn't figure out how to "catch" the resting wefts to make a clean edge.  I love the tips/tricks on this website!

Monica

Thu, 08/01/2013 - 14:16

mmurphy613

The visual really helps- I just need to rig up some way to hold the shuttles. And good advice to try out both methods at the beginning. Thanks so much again, I'll check back in next week.

Thu, 08/01/2013 - 15:29

sally orgren

Not even Home Depot worthy. I made this with an empty box and low-tack tape, so it can be removed when it is no longer needed.

With the nose of the shuttle up, it allowed the thread to fall just where I needed it at the selvedge when I was doing a three shuttle weave earlier this year. 

Thu, 08/01/2013 - 17:58

kerstinfroberg

inspired by Sally - I just tied a small plastic bag to the castle...

(still: thank you, Sally!)

Thu, 08/01/2013 - 18:39

sally orgren

You might want to come up with an intentional "system" to connect your shuttle order to your treadling pattern.

One method people use is for an even tabby (2+4) = enter on the right side, for odd (1+3) = enter on the left side. Which side the shuttle is on also helps you remember which treadling sequence is next when you are alternating a pattern with tabby.

The second method I like is to use different shuttles for different wefts, so there is a tactile difference. I might use an EFS or a differently-shaped boat shuttle for the ground weft vs pattern. Or, you can put a piece of tape on one shuttle so you can feel it when you grab it. I have also been known to just label the darn things A, B, C, and D on a piece of tape if they are all the same or similar colored weft (like in that white sample above. The shuttle holding the 16/2 and the 10/2 natural were pretty similar at a quick glance.)

Let us know how it goes!

FYI Kerstin, considering how helpful you have to been to so many of us, happy that you found the idea useful!

Fri, 08/02/2013 - 15:27

mmurphy613

I think I'll try the box idea. I just complicated my life by adding floating selvedges. I did it to make the math of the warping work out... we'll know soon enough. Thanks again.

Fri, 08/02/2013 - 20:51

moongdss74

what great ideas! I was just aout to start my second project and was having this very same issue.  Thanks folks!