I think I just found the best kept secret on Weavolution, Small format tapestry group.  Kathe Todd-Hooker and Tommye Scanlin!!  Yikes.  I'm ready to learn from the women who know this subject extremely well.  

Check out this group before it gets larger.  We have Kathe and Tommye all to ourselves.  Now, I have to think of some good questions.  Or maybe I need to start by making a small tapestry loom. I have always wanted to do a small copper pipe loom.  I think it's time to get the materials and start working on it.

Claudia

Comments

Sun, 09/26/2010 - 12:16

Claudia Segal (not verified)

Has anyone used a small, ready made frame to create a loom?  Do I just add a row of nails top and bottom and use them for warping?  How do I create the two sheds needed?  Heddle stick?  Do I warp it like my Navajo loom?

I need something small to bring with me to the beach this week.  It could be the project I'm looking for if I understood more about it.

Claudia

Sun, 09/26/2010 - 13:19

tommye scanlin

My advice would be to run to the hardware store and buy some 1/2" copper pipe and do a scaled-down version of Archie's small frame loom.  Alternative to that is to use 1/2" galvanized pipe, if you don't want to cut the copper pipe down... plus, the galvanized has threaded ends.  You'd get what's called "nipple" --available in assorted lengths.  I just built one, in fact, for under $44--below is a pix with it sitting at the check-out counter (I assembled it in the plumping parts aisle to make sure I got all the parts and pieces since I didn't take a diagram along with me that day).  I added feet to this one and also extensions at the top from which to hang a leash rod.  Of course, the basic frame loom would just be the rectangle.

galvanized pipe loom

Although I've made and used them in the past,  I really don't like wood frames with nails for top and bottom... too tricky, I think, to try to tension with adding (or subtracting) things to add or lessen warp tension when needed.

About sheds, one shed can be made with a shed stick inserted thru every-other warp end.  The other shed can be finger-picked.  

Kathe can weigh in here, I'm sure... she's got lots of info about all kinds of things.

Tommye

Sun, 09/26/2010 - 16:52

kathe todd-hooker (not verified)

WOW! I have always liked the galvanized pipe looms. It's what I used all through grad school and still have several in the studio. No need for hot stuff-soulder and easily accessable parts. I have also discovered for the small pipe and copper looms Habitat for Humanity-Restores for parts for looms. I don't know if this okay to say, but I ahve written two books that cover warping on just about any loom and discuss almost any loom you might want to warp Shaped Tapestry for weird looms and So warped for more traditional tapestry looms.

On the small looms I like to use a figure 8 warp. I am probably not as graceful as Tommye and I am diffently clumsy-part of it is survival. I do a circular warp on portable looms only if I want to extend the amount of weaving space on a copper loom. I am always knocking out shed sticks I can warp and be ready to weave in about 20 minutes. When the cross is pulled down and the 3 half passes are woven in it's really fast to space. The open shed means you only need to pick one direction so it's twice as fast to weave then picking both sheds.

I won't weave on any loom that doesn't have a way of tightening the warp. Hate the nail thingy because they catch on everything-me-included.

With the small pipe looms they can be placed on an easel that can place the loom at a proper weaving height.

Tommye also has a trick of putting feet/legs on copper looms that's really good, very inexspensive, and foldable. Prior tiothe easel with the draw and TOmmye's trick I always disliked the copper looms because I ended up with a sore back. Now with these two tricks-easel or legs and a figure 8 warp I like the way they can go places and no more sore backs.

kathe

 

Sun, 09/26/2010 - 17:56

Claudia Segal (not verified)

Off to the hardware store tomorrow.  Thanks for all your suggestions.  I am very familiar with figure-8 warps having done lots of them for my Navajo loom.  And, I love the idea of the feet, especially for traveling with the loom.  Assembling will definitely be the way to go and will take my BB along so I can look at Tommye's pic while at Lowe's.

It looks like there is a spring of some sort near the top, am I seeing correctly?  Does that just fit between two pieces of pipe for the tensioning?

Thank you ladies.

Mon, 09/27/2010 - 01:43

kathe todd-hooker (not verified)

What is a bb?  Depends on which loom you are looking at.

Mon, 09/27/2010 - 03:23

tommye scanlin

No spring, Claudia... I think you're seeing a bit of the threading at the ends of the nipple.  There's threaded rod between the side parts and nuts at each end (if you've got Archie's diagrams you'll see the threaded rod in the sides.)  Because of putting the piece on small legs and feet I've used T-joins rather than Elbows to put the tops and sides together.  Also have used Tees at tops because of adding the extension for the leash rod.

Kathe's books are treasure-troves of info about looms as well as all of the information she gives about the process of tapestry weaving.  If you don't have Weaving 101, I highly recommend it.  Her new book, So Warped, would also be a good resource to have on hand--particularly for become familiar with many types of frame and other tapestry looms around, both commercially made and home made.  

Have fun with it all!  I hope to see what you are doing with it soon.

Tommye

Mon, 09/27/2010 - 17:00

kathe todd-hooker (not verified)

Tommye- I think you mean tapestry 101.

Cheers,

kathe

Mon, 09/27/2010 - 23:14

tommye scanlin

Sorry about the name mistake!
Tue, 03/22/2011 - 13:07

Vicki Allen (not verified)

Good Morning!

I need some loom help. Although this group is for small tapestry loom folks, I hope you can help me. I just bought at a yard sale a tapestry loom and I don't think I have all the parts. I weave with a floor loom so tapestry weaving is new to me but it was a great bargain. I believe if I could find a picture of this loom or just any information, I would be able to use it.

The loom has stamped on it: J.L. Hammett Co. I have done Google search and not found any information. It is about 6 feet tall and approx. 4 feet across.

I appreciate all your help in advance!

Vicki Allen

Wed, 07/27/2011 - 16:10

fibercrone (not verified)

... so glad to learn about your books!

Group Audience
Small Format Tapestry