After finishing my first backstrap project, a narrow band, I decided to try weaving a backstrap to replace the pillowcase I was using as a makeshift backstrap. I used 120 ends of cotton carpet warp in three colors: turquoise for the background with narrow stripes alternating golden yellow and burnt orange.
I persevered despite a warping error that forced me to learn how to tie a bowline. Thanks to the great photos on Laverne's website, I was successful in three out of five tries. It's a good knot to know!
I tied the warp to the back beam of my loom. The shed stick I had made out of an old broom handle was heavy and too long and kept falling out of the shed. The plastic ruler I was using as a sword was too slippery-slidey. But I made some progress. When I started making mistakes, I knew it was time to take a break (always a sure sign).
I walked out to the mail box, about an eighth of a mile. Surprise! There was a long package. Inside were two complete backstrap looms of different widths (see photo). They were from my friend Karen Piegorsch. I met Karen in Guatemala in 2007 at the WARP annual meeting. She was in the process of developing an ergonomic weaving bench for backstrap weavers and became the founder of Synergo Arts, a nonprofit dedicated to ergonomics for artists and artisans. I have since been a member of the board of Synergo Arts.
A subsequent email from Karen has let me know that she bought these at the market in ChiChi in 2003. I am thrilled to have them and started using the shed stick, sword, and backstrap immediately. It was a great improvement. I am about to finish the ends and have my own handwoven backstrap and a choice of looms for my next project. Can't wait to see what it will be!
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