I recently purchased a 1975 Mama Liisa that was sold as a 16 harness but was really only 4. After a bit of research and speaking to several wonderful people at Webs, Toika, Gilmarka, and Weavolution, we decided to have my husband make the parts to give me 12 harnesses. He did a fabulous job (and in only 3 days!) - and the total cost was $120. The new parts look just like the original. Now I am ready to start putting these on the loom. I've got just a couple questions about heddles and cording. I have the original stringe heddles (most have never been used) and all the tie-up cord is still in very good shape.
If I was to get the new Texslov heddles, can I use them along with the original string heddles? If so, would I intermix them or put all of one type on one harness? My string heddles are 11" and I can buy the new ones at 11", but I don't know how the center of the new ones would line up with the old ones. (Getting heddles for 12 harnesses would be cost prohibitive for me at one time.) Or should I make my own string heddles?
Should I break down and get new cording and re-do all of the tie-ups or would it be ok to just get cording for the new parts?
One last question (or observation). I noticed in photos that treadles are sometimes put on with the curved part on top and sometimes on the bottom. Is there a reason for this or does it matter? After reading the threads about being able to locate the treadles, I was thinking that maybe if everyother one was up and down that maybe your foot could tell the difference, and that might help. I still think I am going to have Jack make me a treadle gate, just in case.
Jaci