I have a stash of linen that I'm starting to use.   Most of my weaving to date has been cotton, wool and silk.   Some of my linen is a fine single ply, and although it seems pretty strong, I'm wondering if that can be used for the warp?   If it seems strong enough, I can use it, right?

 

 

 

Comments

Wed, 11/27/2013 - 05:56

Sara von Tresckow

Go ahead and give it a try. I'd highly recommend sizing the warp by dipping the chain into laundry starch(diluted) and drying prior to warping. This will assure that you don't get unwanted wear and abrasion on the warp during the weaving process and it will help avoid broken threads.

Don't try a massive project until you are sure the yarn works. You'll most likely be pleasantly surprised that a starched warp of linen singles glides through the lease sticks like butter when beaming.

Wed, 11/27/2013 - 15:10

tbdarnall

I LOVE to work with linen. Another thing to think about is that linen is stronger when wet. I mist down my linen warp constantly to help prevent broken threads. Never had one break on me and I work with singles all the time.

Wed, 11/27/2013 - 15:17

SallyE (not verified)

Thank you both.   I'll try it!

 

Wed, 11/27/2013 - 15:34

Sara von Tresckow

The stronger when wet part is true, albeit wet thread doesn't weave very well. If you have good thread, a sized warp and reasonable humidity in the room things work out.

Wetness around a loom with wood and metal parts is not good for the loom - honestly, weaving with linen is just weaving if you have some skill and clean habits at the loom.

Wed, 11/27/2013 - 16:16

SallyE (not verified)

In case I can't find laundry starch - can I use a solution of boiled flax seed to treat the chain?   I don't remember seeing laundry starch in the store for quite a while. 

Wed, 11/27/2013 - 16:37

Grethe

Boiled flax seed are recommended here in Scandinavian

Fri, 11/29/2013 - 21:13

Sara von Tresckow

Boiled flax seed will work - just muchj more expensive. The old German weavers pretty much stood by potato starch - Staleys liquid laundry starch is found in many grocery, hardware or drug stores in the laundry section.

Fri, 11/29/2013 - 22:05

SallyE (not verified)

I'll look for the starch, but it's not much used any more.   So, we'll see.   I'm sure it would be a lot easier than boiled flax seed! 

I might have some sweet potato starch on hand.   A few years ago, a very good cook was visiting and doing our Thanksgiving meal.   (It was a condition of them visiting!)   The list of stuff I was required to have included potato starch, and sweet potato starch was all I could find.

Can corn starch be used?

 

Fri, 11/29/2013 - 22:47

Sara von Tresckow

Of course corn starch can be boiled up to make a thick paste - would be like making gravy (like for your turkey this time of year) - potatoes, corn or rice all make starch that can be used for laundry. I think the Staley's was originally formulated on corn starch and Argo once made a powdered starch. (I once had a cousin who worked for Staleys so know about corn products in general).Since nurses no longer wear the white caps, we don't think of it much any more.

 

Fri, 11/29/2013 - 23:53

SallyE (not verified)

It's a good thing that Sara mentioned to cook it to make a dressing.  For some reason that didn't occur to me! 

But I'm still going to try to get actual laundry starch.  All other options will be in case I can't find it.

Sat, 11/30/2013 - 02:06

Artistry

SallyE, I used to use Sta Flo Starch. Here is the website. at the bottom is the store locator. It also shows the stuff that is in the starch, not much!

Cathie

http://www.staflostarch.com 

Sat, 11/30/2013 - 02:20

ReedGuy

This is spud country around here, but in the neighboring state of Maine also. And there were once a number of potato starch companies over there. I don't think there are any around now. McCain foods is head quartered near here. They are a big grower and a processor, but I don't think they ever did starch. That may not be a name you see on shelves in the store, but they are world wide. They have many brands here, such as Kraft and Maple Leaf Foods as well. All you have to do is bring up the subject of potatoes.....my father farmed spuds for over 40 years. ;)

But talk about corn, it's in just about anything processed up here, from corn oil, to starch to corn syrup. Corn corn corn. ;)

Good luck with your linen warp Sally, sorry about the babble. :)

Sun, 12/01/2013 - 17:13

mrdubyah (not verified)

I weave with linen a lot and don't typically starch it. Advancing the warp frequently can help reduce wear and prevent breakage.  If the singles don't seem strong enough for warp, you might try plying them to make a two-ply or three-ply for greater strength and durability.