I have just set up for my biggest craft fair of the year, The League of NH Craftsmen's Fair at Sunapee. It lasts for nine days, is the oldest fair in the country, and I believe, one of the best. I just looked over my notes, and in the last two months, I have woven 42 scarves, 28 shawls and 111 yards of fabric in preparation, all on my three Macomber B5s. As I went into my studio to contemplate Michael's last question (what would you change about Macombers?) I was struck with how much these looms have become extensions of my own body, how intimate I feel with them and how much I truly adore them. For eleven years I did all my "larger than scarf" production on a 54" Gilmore that I adored. Two years ago, I stumbled on a 40" Macomber for a good price and bought it. The time it takes for me to weave a yard of fabric went down by 25% on the Macomber and, my body doesn't hurt nearly as much after a hard days weaving.. As someone who makes a living from my weaving, these two things are really important.
The other thing I want to say is that, just by chance, the second loom I ever bought (twenty four years ago) was a used Macomber. It was thirty years old at the time and I am still using it as my main production loom for scarves, with hardly a trace of wear and tear. I am convinced that if I hadn't gotten that as one of my earliest looms, I wouldn't be a professional weaver today. I think that there's this secret little club for those of us who are Macomber weavers, we just kind of "get it". And yes, not all looms fit all bodies and I know that Glimakras have a similarly devoted following.
Macomber seems like they're moving into a time of growing their business and I am so, so excited. They're a fabulous company, they make a truly great product and have been doing it for many, many years.