My apologies if this has been asked before. My search came up empty. 

I am brand new to weaving and have just set up my Herald 8 shaft floor loom with sectional beam. At the advice or the fine folks here, I want to master traditional warping before taking on sectional warping. I have been told elsewhere that I can do that on the sectional beam, just like it was a regular beam, just to ignore the pegs. I thought that would create tension issues?

Is there a way to warp onto the sectional beam? What are my options? I am also am better with pictures and videos if anyone might know of any resources. 

Thanks!

Comments

Sat, 05/25/2013 - 03:51

laurafry

Yes you can just wind directly onto the beam. Make sure the threads don't get hung up on the pegs. Beam with tension. You won't need warp packing if you do beam with tension. Cheers Laura
Sat, 05/25/2013 - 09:59

ReedGuy

Can't see why not, you'll still need a spreader to keep the warp from bunching up in the sections I think. Those pegs submerge and emerge in the warp as you wind so they can't really be relied on as a spreader. The ends of the pegs should be rounded over (upside down bowl shaped) to prevent snagging in the warp.

Sat, 05/25/2013 - 19:08

agneslionel

I'm a new weaver (about 1 year) and I would so love to work with linen but at the same time I am intimidated because I have read that it is a difficult fiber. I wonder if you all could either direct me to some resources to help me get started (something like Linen for Dummies, I suppose) or share your collective wisdom about linen or both? Please? And please do not assume that I am very competant. I can wind a warp with a warp valet, I can weave twill and overshot, and I can put together a counterbalance loom, sorta. I have a lovely old LeClerc F series counterbalance loom and a somewhat newer Schacht Standard (thank you, Missouriweaver!) and I would dearly love to make some huck lace curtains, although I think I will begin with something smaller like placemats or napkins.

Thank you in advance,

Agnes

Sat, 05/25/2013 - 19:47

laurafry

Hi Agnes,

Linen doesn't have much elasticity and it prefers a humid climate.  If you live in an arid climate, you might want to try weaving with a cotton warp and the linen as weft, just to see how you like it.  It does take some careful handling as warp, but beaming under tension using a warping valet will help.  :)  I'm sure others will have some more hints and tips.

cheers,

Laura

Sat, 05/25/2013 - 19:51

kerstinfroberg

my second warp ever was 16/1 linen, for overshot. Nobody had "informed" me it was "impossible" - so it worked. I wove at least 1,5 meters (of what would have been some 2,5 meters) before having problems - and the problems came from experimenting, I think. Since then (actually, since I was "informed" that what I had done was "impossible") I have lost my fear.

Moral: just go for it!