Need loom help

Good Morning!

I need some loom help. I hope you can help me. I just bought at a yard sale a tapestry loom and I don't think I have all the parts. I weave with a floor loom so tapestry weaving is new to me but it was a great bargain. I believe if I could find a picture of this loom or just any information, I would be able to use it.

The loom has stamped on it: J.L. Hammett Co. I have done Google search and not found any information. It is about 6 feet tall and approx. 4 feet across.

I appreciate all your help in advance!!!!

Vicki Allen

Comments

Tue, 03/22/2011 - 18:11

Slipstream (not verified)

Hi Vicki:

Do you have pictures of the assembled loom so that we coujld see what you might have.  If we can see what you have we might be able to tell you what else you need to have.

Regards,

Charles

Wed, 03/23/2011 - 12:46

Vicki Allen (not verified)

Michael,

I saw that but I could not figure out how to access any of the listed information.

I have seen plenty of references to Hammett looms, usually 4 shaft, but I have yet to find a reference at all to an upright tapestry/frame loom made by Hammett. It is frustrating.

I will get a picture up here asap. I sure wish I had gotten you to look at the loom before I loaded it in the truck.

Vicki Allen

Wed, 03/23/2011 - 17:29

Michael White

It is my understanding that the manuals are for sale on that web site. I would not think a tapestry/frame loom would be to complex. Have you posed this on the Tapestry group site?

Michael

Wed, 03/23/2011 - 19:34

Vicki Allen (not verified)

Yes, I have posted to both groups. I'm hoping that someone out there will have any information at all that I can use.

I emailed Bonnie and she had no additional information on the loom. I had hoped she could tell me how to contact the person who donated it to OCAF.

I discovered there was a J.L. Hammett Co. that was a national school supplier for years but has since gone out of business. I am wondering if this loom might have been manufactured to be distributed to schools by that company. (Since I can only find references to J.L. Hammett Co looms that are 4 shaft floor looms and also since the logo stamped on those floor looms has JL Hammett Co. and the address of the company!). My loom only says "J. L. Hammett Co." with no additional information.

(Once a reference librarian, always a reference librarian!) Anyway, I haven't given up. The information is out there somewhere and I WILL find it!

I have figured out a way to modify the loom if all else fails. (Also, it might just be a vertical rug loom...)

Vicki Allen

Wed, 03/23/2011 - 21:22

tommye scanlin

She has the website to which Michael referred you.  You might try e-mailing her about the loom.

I'm a tapestry weaver and am familiar with many tapestry looms.  However, I don't know anything about a Hammett tapestry loom.  Sorry not to be of help.

Tommye Scanlin

Thu, 03/24/2011 - 13:59

Vicki Allen (not verified)

I bought the loom as a tapestry loom. That may not be the correct designation. We'll see. It has so few pieces that I am wondering if it is an upright rug loom.

I will try emailing Janet. I really appreciate everyone's help with this. I am eager to figure it out and get started with a proper project.

Vicki Allen

Fri, 03/25/2011 - 23:05

debmcclintock

Vicki, if you are a reference librarian (or once was) maybe you could look thru the patent books. I found mechanical references on some rug looms we were refinishing at Greenbank Mill in Delaware in the patent books.  It took awhile to find the proper year but with some patience you can find when the patent was filed (if it was) and usually there are detailed drawings along with that patent listing.  good luck Deb Mc

Sun, 03/27/2011 - 13:01

pclr56 (not verified)

Vicki, how old do you think the loom is? On eBay there is a 1924 Hammett catalog with a picture of an upright tapestry type loom on the cover.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-1924-LOOMS-WEAVING-MATERIALS-Catalog-Illustr-/380326879280

Mon, 03/28/2011 - 18:32

Vicki Allen (not verified)

Penny (post 9),

I looked at the ebay entry and that picture does look like my loom. I also found the book available from Alibris. I ORDERED IT! 

Deb Mc (post 8),

Where do you go to find patent books? Would they be available on line? That sounds like a very good idea.

Thanks to everyone who has helped and is helping with this investigation.

Vicki Allen

 

Tue, 03/29/2011 - 02:19

debmcclintock

Vicki, I've never had much luck with online patent searches that Michael refers to.  When I was doing my research I used the University of Delaware library, they had patent books there, I was able to use my estimated date and flip thru the books fairly quickly over a 10 year period, they have a summary index that refers you to the complete patent record in a second set of patent books.  They are quite fun to look thru.  Call around to the local university or major libraries (easy to drive to) and see who has them.

ps, I forgot to add that sometimes the patent isn't under the product name but is under the developer's name, there are some subtle twists that leave you thunking your head on the table. 

Tue, 03/29/2011 - 13:24

Penny Skelley (not verified)

Vicki,

Hope the book helps. Glad I stumbled upon it at just the needed time.

Penny

 

Tue, 03/29/2011 - 18:19

Vicki Allen (not verified)

Thanks Deb, Michael and Penny!

I am going to see about posting some pictures of the loom as I bought it as well as some showing what I have done to modify it so I can get a shed:

I attached some clamps to the frame. I strung the heddle strings to a white dowel. I placed a 1x4 board on top of the clamps but in the shed. To weave in the shed, just weave. To raise the heddles, push the board behind the clamp and pull the dowel out past the binder clips.

Wow, that sounds complicated, but it's not.

Pictures to come.

Vicki Allen

Wed, 03/30/2011 - 01:47

Claudia Segal (not verified)

Hot off the presses from Vicki

 


 

Wed, 03/30/2011 - 12:52

Vicki Allen (not verified)

Now that you guys can see the loom, please tell me it I have it bolted together right. Do I have the middle part right side up?

Thanks, Vicki

Fri, 04/08/2011 - 19:03

Vicki Allen (not verified)

I ordered from Alibris a J.L.Hammett Co. catalog: "Hammett's Looms, Weaving Materials and Manual Art Supplies." printed around 1946.  Page 6 shows my loom!

According to the catalog:

 " "Braid-weave" rug weaving is absolutely new, different and unique, and is performed entirely by hand; no shuttle or beater is necessary; no sewing is required. In no way is the method like the braided, drawn-in or loom-woven rugs. The weaving, partaking somewhat of basketry, is fascinating and simple, and offers excellent training in the working out of original patterns and designs in colors and combinations."

The process of weaving on this loom was protected by United States copyright... "A signed permit to manufacture" accompanied each instruction book which was "sold only with the weaving frame on initial order."

The loom can be "adjusted to three different sizes: 24x36, 27x54 or 24x54 inches." It originally came with "a set of wire clasps which slipped on the sides of the frame, holding the weaving in perfect alignment and insuring a straight edge to the rug."

This loom originally sold for $14.00.

The photograph shows a rug in progress with a strip of fabric hanging down as if waiting to be woven into the warp.

So! Now I know. And you know. I'm gonna have a lot of fun with this loom!

Vicki Allen

Fri, 04/08/2011 - 19:49

Michael White

Vicki, tracking down this loom. And now that you know what to do, get to weaving, we are all waiting for pictures. See you next Sat.

MIchael

 

Sun, 04/24/2011 - 14:03

jemwork (not verified)

I'm so glad you rescued this loom. I've done several & have been happy with the results each time. Just now I need a metal part to hang a harness from. LeClerc no longer make parts for this 2H table loom. I should post this under a new forum I think...

Tue, 03/20/2012 - 17:57

lavonnes (not verified)

I was browsing in an outlet store last fall and saw a pile of pieces to a tapestry loom on the floor. Asking "how much?" They said $5.00 if you can use it. It was a Harrisville Designs loom 48" horizontal and 30" vertical. Called The Friendly Loom and was designed to be used with children in schools. I have assembled it but have not yet warped or begun any project on it. Don't you love garage sales?