Heddle in down position question

Submitted by mokeydokes on

After warping last night I began my first weaving project tonight.  It was fairly straightforward except that I'm not sure about the heddle in the down posiiton.  Is there a particular place the heddle should be?  is it enough to just push it down with your hand to create the space?  There is that little notch at an angle --should the heddle rest there ? (it doesnt seem to quite reach there).  The resulting weave is looking ok, but the down position seems a bit awkward---maybe because my weave is not centered on the heddle

Comments

Posted on Thu, 11/29/2012 - 07:51

I'm guessing your use of the term 'heddle' really is 'harness' {a grouping of heddles (individual  thin wire, string or nylon cording) that hold generally single warp threads}. If you are working on a jack loom, when a treadle is pushed down with your foot a harness or grouping of harnesses tied together will raise up, opening the warp threads-creating a 'shed' through which the weft material passes.

If you could post a photo of your area of concern, it would be much easier to help....the old adage....a picture is worth a thousand words.

this forum is a great source of information and help..Ask away.

elaine in windy OR

Posted on Thu, 11/29/2012 - 11:35

If you are on a jack loom, try to loosen the tension slightly and see if the harness relaxes when it should be at rest, I think that's what you are calling the down position?

Posted on Thu, 11/29/2012 - 12:09

Mokeydokes, you're using the loom that is shown in the project page with the blue and white dishtowels? Tell us if you are, maybe someone knows how it works.

Posted on Thu, 11/29/2012 - 13:05

Mokeydokes is on a rigid heddle - a schacht flip - for the heddle down position - push it down and slightly  back - it should fit over the front heddle block - you do should not have to hold it down with your hand. I strongly suggest that you invest in Jane Patrick's book the weaver's Idea Book and the accompanying video - that's waht I used when I was learning to use my Fli and it was a great help. You might also want to check out the rigid heddle group here - they are very helpful!                    Tina

Tina

Posted on Thu, 11/29/2012 - 14:22

I am on a Flip loom.  I'll try to do what you say tonight, though someone on a FB group I've joined said that perhaps my tension wasn't correct and that's why the reed in the down position seemed wonky.  I just got the Weaver's Idea Book in the mail yesterday, but will check out the video too.  There is a lot of good info out there, I just need the time to absorb it all.

Posted on Thu, 11/29/2012 - 15:31

could be a problem as well - I have found it tension is too tight or too loose the heddle doesn't behave well. The Jane Patrick video is well worth the money - she goes over everything very clearly and she is working on a Flip which makes it nice. Good luck -

Tina