Hi there and thanks for reading.

I'm new here but not to weaving. I have about 4 years of experience in school and loved it. I've been dying to get a loom like the ones I had at school and asked for one for my birthday. Well, my father went out and found me a very inexpensive loom to start on. It's an old Union Victory Loom and I'm in the process of learning about it. I have yet to even clean it up or figure out how to get it down the steps!

On my own I have managed to find a manual on it (with some terrible pictures) so I am beginning to understand all the parts of it. Though some it it still seems odd to me... like that whole spool holder and warping from it using a guide has me confused. Could someone with Modern English help me understand it a little better? My courses used a warping board and threaded front to back so this seems backwards to me.

Also, It only has 2 harnesses and 2 treadles, which is a LOT less than what I am used to, which was 4 harnesses and 6 treadles. The idea of just having 2 makes me feel limited already and I haven't even started. I know there are many things that can be done using that but I really wish to expand on it anyway possible. I have limited room and probably won't be upgrading for a long time. Is there any way to add more harnesses and treadles to it? If it helpd to know: it's a counterbalance using rope to attach the harnesses. I hope I can magically add one two more harnesses and treadles. This would make me really happy.

 

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Comments

Thu, 09/12/2013 - 00:56

SallyE (not verified)

My suggestion is to go to the Leclerc web site (http:www.leclerclooms.com) and look for the manuals they post for their 4 shaft counterbalance looms.   Study these and compare them to your loom, and that should give you a good idea what you need to do to modify your loom and add two shafts.

It will also help if you know someone with a counterbalance loom, or have a local guild where you can find someone that will let you visit their loom.

Good luck!

 

Thu, 09/12/2013 - 02:53

sarahnopp (not verified)

Are you already committed to this loom? I agree, two shafts will limit you. The counterbalance vs countermarche vs jack issue pales in importance when considering the design limitations of a two harness loom. Are you a rug weaver? Are you super excited about weaving primarily tabby (plus things like inlay, etc) for the foreseeable future? If your answer to these questions is no, find a different loom. In my area, the old, used four shaft looms are offered at the same price as the heavy two shaft rug looms, on Craigslist.

Fri, 09/13/2013 - 16:14

artsofeska

Well,

I'm not super excited about weaving just tabby nor am I a rug weaver. However, since this is my only loom I will have to use what I've got. Something is better than nothing. Besides, it was a gift. I can't exactly  tell my father straight off the bat that it's not what I wanted. He was so excited he found it for me and I don't want to disappoint him.

So with that said, I guess I will have to learn about rug weaving and other weaver controlled methods to make tabby look exciting. I'll have to hit the books.

I will take a look at the LeClerc site perhaps after I have become more familiar with my loom. I understand the principles behind it enough to see another 2 harnesses can be used but I have to figure out how it will work with the framing the loom has.

 

Thank you both for your responses.

Fri, 09/13/2013 - 16:41

endorph

plain tabby you can also do tabby with finger controlled weaves like leno an tons of decorative hem stitching and Danish medallions, and patterns using pick up sticks, and play around with color and color and weave affects like log cabin - don't dis having just two harnesses - you are only bound by your imagination and patience - I have done 4 and 8 shaft patterns on my rigid heddle loom with only one heddle and a pick up stick so don't feel limited. Start to play you might surprise yourself
Fri, 09/13/2013 - 19:44

sarahnopp (not verified)

I understand the only-loom bit and the gift bit. :) I am sure you will have fun with it. The no-loom alternative is unacceptable! Nwo you just have to teach your dad how to weave so he will start supplying you with more choices LOL

Have you heard of the Moorman technique? It is an inlay weaving that for surface design. I have only read about it, so may be off the mark, but I think there are some ideas from that which can be applied to two shaft weaving.

Fri, 09/13/2013 - 19:56

SallyE (not verified)

The other thing you could do with 2 shafts would be a collapse weave.   Weave with two different fibers alternated in sections and then wet finish it to make some of the sections shrink.   You can do that in both the weft and the warp.   An example would be cotton and wool, where the wool shrinks in hot water / water temperature changes, etc.

 

Fri, 09/13/2013 - 20:04

tommye scanlin

The simplest weave of all, plain weave, can hold so many wonderful avenues to explore. The suggestions given so far are among those treasures you'll find with this loom. I weave tapestry--a plain weave. More balanced inlay weaves can be woven, as well. Then there's ikat, warp repp, and on and on. So many manipulations you can make with density of warp, texture, and more. Two older publications have many, many ideas. These are by Harriet Tidball and are Shuttle Craft Guild Monographs published in 1967. The titles are Monograph Twenty: "Two-Harness Textiles: The Loom-Controlled Weaves" and Monograph Twenty-one: "Two-Harness Textiles: The Open-Work Weaves." Here are a few of the chapter titles from Monograph Twenty: Spaced Structures; Stripes and Bands; Checks; Plaids; Color-Effect (log cabin); Special Effects (including supplementary threads; clasped weft weave; twisted wefts). Monograph Twenty-one includes information about tapestry, Spanish Eyelet (sometimes called Spanish lace; Brooks Bouquet; Danish Medallion; Leno... with lots of variations of these and many other weave possibilities. Have a grand time exploring the most basic weave of all -- in all of its glorious potential! Tommye
Sat, 09/14/2013 - 14:29

artsofeska

Thanks for the input. I have done collapse weaves as well as supplementary wefts including fringe and wrapping (I want to say sumac?....I'm a bit rusty with some terminology after 7 years). Another possibility is the dying process like the ikat and the painted warp. I will look into the Moorman and leno ideas as I am unfamiliar with them.

Tommye, I appreciate your book references. I'm looking for more info like that. I want to build up my weaving library and I think that's a good start.

Sat, 09/14/2013 - 15:00

sarahnopp (not verified)

There are a number of posts about library recommendations, but I just want to mention Inge Dam. She does tablet woven strips within large loom woven fabrics! It is amazing. You could definitely do that on two shafts. Inge is on here and on Facebook too. And I just got her book and have been ogling the photos.

Mon, 09/16/2013 - 01:48

artsofeska

I read online the other day about a 3rd floater or ghost shaft that you can use on certain looms. Is this something I would be able to do with this loom?

Mon, 09/16/2013 - 02:27

SallyE (not verified)

I've never heard of a "ghost shaft" but it sounds like a good topic for Halloweave!   Tell us more!

Fri, 09/27/2013 - 01:29

artsofeska

I'm in the middle of cleaning up this loom and have a few more questions. I have already cleaned and oiled all the wood and now I'm on to some other parts I am unsure about.

1. How do you clean rust off of the rachet mechanism?

2. Does all the metal on the loom need cleaning? I am cleaning anything on the harnesses and that comes in direct contact with the yarns but what about bolts holding the frame together? Is there an advantage to it?

3. Where can I purchase a bracket for the harness frame? What I am referring to is the "snap" that holds the rods where the heedles go on. I am missing one and am wondering if I really need it.

Fri, 09/27/2013 - 01:47

SallyE (not verified)

1. How do you clean rust off of the rachet mechanism?

You can use navel jelly if you want to remove the parts and soak them. Or you can use steel wool or sandpaper to remove the rust.  It's unlikely that they are rusted to the point of not working, so what ever you do is going to be mostly cosmetic.

2. Does all the metal on the loom need cleaning? ...

Not unless it bugs you, or they are so rusted as to threaten to fail altogether and let the loom fall apart. 

3. Where can I purchase a bracket for the harness frame? What I am referring to is the "snap" that holds the rods where the heedles go on. I am missing one and am wondering if I really need it.

A picture of one of these "snaps" would help here.  There is likely to be a work-around for the part, but I couldn't suggest one without a picture of the part.