I want to purchase an Ashford Rigid Heddle Loom in the 48" size as my first loom, but I am confused at what I need to purchase and short on information. I have watched several videos on the basics and what not. My problem is I want to start of by just being able to weave a plain cotton fabric that I can dye and use for clothing. I can't however find any information on this anywhere. I just want to find a basic weave pattern that is suitable for this use as well as find out what kind of yarn I would need to purchase. There are so many different sizes, I prefer something that is just plain cotton.

I have looked through some books on Amazon, but I can't seem to find what I am looking for.

Can someone point me in the right direction? Or give me the titles of books that would really help me out?

Comments

Sat, 04/06/2013 - 03:23

Sara von Tresckow

First, Ashford does not make a 48" RH loom - for clothing fabric you'd need either the 24" or 32". 32" RH looms can be sort of awkward because of the length of stick shuttle you'd need.

That said, a cotton fabric for clothing and dyeing would be much better made on a small floor loom with 4 shafts. While you can experiment with multiple heddles, by the time you get the extra parts, you can also look for a used floor loom in a similar price category.

Candidates for starting would be a Baby Wolf, Harrisville 22", Glimakra Julia, LeClerc Mira or Fanny among many others.

Right now you need to read about weaving. For RH weaving, Rowena Hart's "Ashford Book of Rigid Heddle Weaving" is an excellent start. For using a floor loom, Laila Lundell's "Big Book of Weaving" is excellent.

Long forgotten, but still an excellent introduction to weaving is found in Nell Znamierowski's "Step by Step Weaving" - found easily and for a low price on the used book market - this book covers weaving from simple frame loom to floor loom and helps a new weaver understand the process.

In any case, there will be a learning curve and it takes more than a few YouTube videos to become a skilled weaver - but the effort is well worth it.

Sat, 04/06/2013 - 04:08

Blodeuwedd

http://www.paradisefibers.com/ashford-rigid-heddle-weaving-looms.html The 48" loom is rather new, it is on their main website as well.

I've weaved before on a simple frame loom, I'd love to have a floor loom, but I can't afford one. So, I thought that a rigid heddle loom would be the best start and it would be versatile for other projects. I've been stalking craigslist for some used looms, the only floor looms in my area were beyond repair and very old/rusted.

The videos I watched were from the Ashford company *sigh* I will look into purchasing those books to read. Thank you.

Sat, 04/06/2013 - 09:02

kerstinfroberg

I have never used an RH loom, but I get curious: why does one have to use a stick shuttle? Why could one not use a boat shuttle with a rigid heddle loom?

Sat, 04/06/2013 - 11:04

tien (not verified)

I think the sheds on some rigid heddle looms are too small for "regular" boat shuttles. That said, I've used a Schacht end-feed shuttle, which has a low profile of about 1.25" (I think; I'm traveling so I can't measure), quite successfully with a Cricket rigid heddle loom, so I think a low-profile boat shuttle might be fine? I don't know if it would work with a 48" rigid heddle loom, though, or whether it would fall through the shed.

Sat, 04/06/2013 - 12:58

midwifehc

I am a new weaver as well. Bought a 24" RH loom, used it obce and regretted it-immediately knew I wanted a floor loom. Now I have bought 2 used looms (am selling one) and am so much happier. The used loom market generally has a lot to offer at a reasonable price. Where are you located in PA? I am selling a used Leclerc 45" 4H6T loom with bench, 3 reeds, shuttle, and raddle for $600--just barely more than the RH loom. I am seeling my RH loom as well. I live in CT, but drive to NE PA monthly to see a friend. In fact, I'm going in a week to deliver a longarm quilter that I have sold to someone there. I can send pics if you're interested.
Sat, 04/06/2013 - 14:45

kerstinfroberg

I forget (as usual) that "regular" boat shuttles in your part of the world generally are both higher and heavier than they are in my part of the world... 

For some pictures and measurements of Swe boat shuttles, both old and new, see the conversation here. (Edit: I thought I linked to my post, but apparently not... scroll down a bit)

Sat, 04/06/2013 - 14:51

NancyHassel

Rigid heddle looms are generally small, light and portable.  I own a 25 inch rigid heddle loom and find it convenient to weave fabrics up to 18 inches wide.  Wider than about 18 inches and I start getting the stick shuttle stuck in the warp threads.  I tried a rug shuttle and a boat shuttle without success.  It is also a challenge to get an even beat on the rigid heddle loom because the beater is entirely controlled by the weaver (stronger right hand might result in a denser fabric on the right side).  I use my 40 inch floor loom for clothing fabrics.
Sat, 04/06/2013 - 16:13

endorph

both stick shuttels and boat shuttles with my 25" Flip RH loom - I use the same boat shuttles as I use on my floor loom - I use Swedish boat shuttles that are less than an inch in height. Glimakra also makes a oat shuttle specifically for rigid heddle looms. Anything wider than about 20" and use the boat shuttles. I have made plain weave fabric on it and when I needed something wider than what I could amke on the loom I just seam two pieces together and then cut out the pattern pieces.
Sat, 04/06/2013 - 18:35

sarahnopp (not verified)

Hi Blodeuwedd, Keep an eye out for used floor looms in your area. Smaller four-shaft looms tend to be a great deal, at least in my area. That 48 inch RH loom is about the price I would expect to pay for a 4 shaft counterbalance around here. You might have to do some minor repairs, but any weaver has to be somewhat handy with the machinery.

Sun, 04/07/2013 - 15:17

Blodeuwedd

@midwifehc I live in NW PA, so no where near close.

I've been keeping a look out on craigslist for a used floor loom, however the only ones I've found are in poor condition. I would love to get a floor loom, but with a family and being in college we just couldn't afford one just yet.

For around the same price a 4 shaft table loom is very small in width. I can't really go above $500 at the moment, as much more would take too long to start setting aside.

Mon, 04/08/2013 - 13:19

NancyHassel

Have you tried http://www.searchtempest.com ? I found a 4H 36" loom in Amherst, NY.
Mon, 04/08/2013 - 23:45

ryashani (not verified)

Until this past December (when I got a new floor loom), I watched Craigslist (via search tempest), ebay and classifides in the Baltimore area and Pittsburgh/Cleveland (my parents are located between the Pitts and OH) areas for looms.  During the year I was watching, there were many looms that came up for under $500.

I started with a RH loom my mother got me.  I love it, but don't think I would love it for trying to weave enough fabric to make a garment. I will still do small pieces (belts, pouches, etc) on mine, but I am glad I got a floorloom for doing fabric.

 

Tue, 04/09/2013 - 16:21

jander14indoor (not verified)

If you can be patient, good floor looms do come up at prices under $500.  Sometimes WELL under $500 so that you could drive to pick them up at amazing distances.

Of the 5 looms I've bought over the last 4 years, only one was more than $500 and that's because Baby Wolf looms are so popular for their portability vs capacity.  With three of those deals the accessories (shuttles, warping wheels, winders, etc) for that deal alone would have cost more than $500 retail.

Tue, 04/09/2013 - 17:14

jander14indoor (not verified)

repeat, hit save too many times, sorry.

Wed, 04/10/2013 - 12:56

SallyE (not verified)

It's well worth waiting until a floor loom comes up for sale in your area.   For example, there is a 4 shaft (room for 4 more) 10 treddle cherry wood loom that is 50" wide for sale in Southhampton, MA., for $350!  Much better than a RH loom!  (Craigs list, BTW)

Thu, 04/11/2013 - 16:00

KarenIsenhower

There's nothing wrong with starting out on a nice rigid heddle loom. I wove on a 32" Beka rigid heddle for many years before acquiring a floor loom. I loved every minute of it, and learned good weaving skills through a lot of simple practice. I always used a stick shuttle. I had several sizes, fashioned out of yardsticks by my husband. Now, though, I have the Glimakra Classic shuttle, designed for rigid heddle looms. It's excellent, and I wouldn't go back to a stick shuttle unless the yarn absolutely required it.

Tue, 01/31/2017 - 03:25

hyatomato

I would like to buy a 48" rigid heddle loom.  But I would really like to try it out before I buy one.  Is there anywhere in South Florida where I could do that?  I have only woven on a Samplet and do not want to spend all that money without actually trying one out.

Tue, 01/31/2017 - 03:30

hyatomato

I would like to buy a 48" rigid heddle loom.  But I would really like to try it out before I buy one.  Is there anywhere in South Florida where I could do that?  I have only woven on a Samplet and do not want to spend all that money without actually trying one out.