Before I decide to purchase "store-bought'n" temples or a rolling temple: 1. I have tried making my own temple with a thin piece of wood wrapped with twill tape and tenter's pins (sturdy). I am not succeeding with its use as the web only spreads at the selvedges and not throughout the rest of the warp to maintain consistent width throughout the warp. Seems the pressure of the "teeth" at just the selvedges is not enough. What am I doing wrong in its design or use? 2. Also, if I opt to do the store-bought'n " what (standard) range of temple widths are used for napkins, placemats, runners, kitchen, bath towels, scarves? It seems I would need a whole locker full of temples to do all of these projects, which would cost a bundle. Therefore, if I must spend a bundle, a rolling temple might be a more adaptable investment. I would appreciate your thoughts on this phase of accessories acquisition? Thanks, Dakota

Comments

Tue, 01/28/2014 - 19:44

Sara von Tresckow

You generally note the most often used weaving widths for you personally. Begin with a single temple that goes both slightly narrower and wider than that.

Then add temples as you need them. You wind up with far less than a locker full and they are quite useful alnd versatile. The roller temple is mounted on one loom - if you eventually own several, it does not apply to newcomers to your studio.

Tue, 01/28/2014 - 20:48

sandra.eberhar…

If you stick with one brand (I like Glimakra), you can combine them to make more sizes (left of one with right of another).  I have several rotary temples and like them a lot (it lets me see what I have just woven, which prevents mistakes).  They are easier to install on some looms than others, and quite expensive.  I bought most of mine used. If your loom has a small distance from the beater to the breast beam, it will be a little touchy to install.  

Wed, 01/29/2014 - 03:15

Dakota

Thanks for both of your replies, Sara and Big White Sofa Dog. I have heard about making up other widths of temples from standard widths. Thanks for the reminder. On the rolling temple, how far toward the reed from the breast beam does it extend? And who is the current manufacturer?
Wed, 01/29/2014 - 11:26

ReedGuy

I've made a couple myself, one is for 18-24 wide and the other is 36-60, haven't needed an in between one yet, but when the need arrives I'm sure I will make one. As you can tell a temple is adjustable in width. But one thing being overlooked here, is a temple is not ment to stretch the whole cloth, it prevents drawn in at the outter threads. If you look close when weaving, it's the outter threads that pull in. The inner threads aren't. If so, it would make for some puckery cloth because it would get progressive worst toward the centre.

Wed, 01/29/2014 - 15:42

Sara von Tresckow

Sorry, but the temple is to put pressure on the whole cloth - if you will, exerting a countertension to the warp tension.

The reason for the temple is NOT to prevent drawin as much as it is to keep the warp threads spaced correctly so that the reed hits the fell line squarely between the threads and there is no oblique angle forming with the inner threads.

Many people make wrongful assumptions - this weavers tool has been in use for centuries - it is only logical that if there is lenghtwise tension on the warp, a tension weftwise - perpendicular to the warp - makes infinite sense for many reasons.

The drawin will still take place due to takekup, but BEHIND the fell line where it no longer makes any difference.

Wed, 01/29/2014 - 19:07

ReedGuy

Sara, thanks for taking the time in explaining it. But it's easy to make other assumptions (some wrong, some right) when you see the edges draw in and not the middle as you to can understand. Time and time again by 'expert' weavers, it is stated to use a temple if you are experiencing draw-in. It (asumptions being made) is not something just fathomed from thin air. :)

This being a forum, anything written can be jumped upon and commented on negatively or positively. If you look hard enough you can always find something wrong.

Edward Worst: Foot Powered Loom Weaving PG 36-37.

"As the weaving continues, it will be found that there
is a tendency in the fabric to 'draw in' narrower than
the entering of the warp in the reed. When this 'drawing

in' becomes noticeable, it may be corrected by using the
temple........When the temple is pressed down in position,
it will force out the edges of the cloth."

Wed, 01/29/2014 - 20:28

ruthmacgregor (not verified)

I love it when an explanation pops open a window in my understanding of something -- and this conversation has done just that.  For years I've observed the effects that use (or non-use) of a temple has on my weaving, and I'd gotten far enough to understand that a temple regulates warp spacing in general and is not exclusively an instrument for selvedge control -- but my thinking didn't go the extra distance to understand that the temple is actually providing a lateral tensioning all across the warp.

Thank you for this, both of you. :-)

Dakota, you mentioned your experience with a home-made temple, and I have a few comments about that.  I've also used a temple made from a strip of wood with pins on the ends, and from what I could see it's a temple that works for some purposes, but not all.  Mine worked nicely on a simple twill scarf in alpaca and silk, but it worked poorly when I tried it on a wider piece.  I suspect it was up to the task when the job was easy, but failed as soon as it was required to do harder work.

My weaving toolbox currently holds two Glimakra temples, both of which I purchased "used" (it saved only a couple of dollars, but hey).  Those temples have given me nothing but excellent service.  Their pins are fine and sharp, and the effect on the web when you gently press the temple into place is even and lovely.  They're nice on everything I've tried weaving with them, from heavy to delicate -- surprising, but true.

My two temples cover a range of widths that doesn't look like it would be all that versatile when you see it written down, but it turns out they cover all but the narrowest of my weavings.  I'd recommend you start with just one, try it out, then see what kinds of needs you have later on.  You may be surprised at how few you really need in your weaving arsenal. ;-)

Ruth

Wed, 01/29/2014 - 23:03

debmcclintock

And also remember not all balsa wood has the same strength. I experimented with different woods to get the right tension. Here's how I wrap my pins in place. http://www.debmcclintock.com/Debmcclintock/Temples.html I also use the metal toika temples for my rugs but the wood ones work well for my smaller silk, tencel and cotton scarves.
Mon, 02/29/2016 - 09:17

merryamethyst

I am thinking of making a temple, can you share some tips on the procedure and materials? Thank you

Aparna

Sun, 07/02/2017 - 11:47

Sailgirl

Reed Guy, what did you use for your end pins. My husband is pretty good In the wood working department if I show him something he can usually figure it out. I like you would like a temple 18-25" wide but it appears i will have to purchase two Temples to get the sizes i need. Since you have succeeded already can you shed some light on what to use for the end pins. A picture may also help. Thanks in advance.

Tue, 07/04/2017 - 01:22

Joanne Hall

They may be able to get the pins for you. They are very strong steel especially made in Switzerland for the temples. We used to keep some in stock and they were not expensive. Joanne
Fri, 07/14/2017 - 09:13

ReedGuy

You could ask these folks for temple pins as well. http://www.stewartsofamerica.com This is a member of the above. http://www.bwipins.com/textile-pins and http://www.neptuneworks.com/metal-pins
Wed, 07/19/2017 - 10:40

Sailgirl

They no longer make yheir temples with replacement pins. The newer ones are pressed into the wood.

Wed, 07/19/2017 - 10:40

Sailgirl

They no longer make yheir temples with replacement pins. The newer ones are pressed into the wood.

Wed, 07/19/2017 - 10:58

Sailgirl

They no longer make yheir temples with replacement pins. The newer ones are pressed into the wood.

Wed, 07/19/2017 - 11:05

Sailgirl

i will see if these can provide me with some information. Do you recommend a specific size. Since i do not own a temple it is difficult to measue yhe length and diameter. I also noted on the second supplier on your list the pointed or blunt temple pins. Would yhe former be more for rugs And the latter for other woven fibers. if you used yhese supplier what do. You choose, that would at least give me a staring point. Thanks.

Wed, 07/19/2017 - 17:32

ReedGuy

Get the pointed ones, they are easier to get into the cloth, less likely to pull at the yarn.
Wed, 07/19/2017 - 22:02

loveovershot

I had a rolling temple and didn't like it. Recently, I have been using a tarp clip temple and like it much better. I saw it in an old Handwoven magazine but don't remember which one.

Wed, 07/19/2017 - 22:07

loveovershot

Check LeClerc for pictures of the tarp clip temple. Kind of pricey at about $83.00.

Thu, 07/20/2017 - 16:05

jander14indoor (not verified)

I bought very similar clips at Lee Valley (product is called EasyKlip, available from other retailers) for a couple of dollars. It was easy to rig up the rest. Just short lengths of rope, and something for weights. The weights you might use to warp with would probably do.
Sun, 11/12/2017 - 20:30

Rockoteer

I am in the process of making my own temple out of wood, but in the interim between finishing it and starting my latest project I am going to use some new tarp clips I found.  I'll let you all know how it goes.