Hello!

I have been talking to many new weavers lately. Talking to new weavers always gives me an opportunity to reflect 9n my practices.

I admittedly only started using a temple a few years ago. I still do not use a temple on wool warps. I'm curious when others use temples. Do you always use one? Do you use it with certain warps, structures, techniques?

I look forward to an interesting discussion.

Comments

Sun, 07/25/2021 - 12:36

Joanne Hall

Yes Erica,

I use a temple.  It is not necessary for tapestry weaving.  It may not be necessary for some weft faced and some warp faced weaves, but I still use it on all warps except tapestry. 

Please note that with a temple, you do not have selvage warp threads getting loose as you weave, which is what some weavers experience when not using a temple, as they like to leave the weft selvage turns a little loose.  When a weaver shows what she has woven, I often can tell when a temple has not been used,  First, by seeing that the width at the beginning is wider than the end, the end has that 'smile' and the weave is more open than it should be.  Sometimes one can see that there are fewer wefts per inch than warps per inch.

The reasons for using a temple:  maintaining consistent weaving width, better control of picks per inch, more picks per inch without beating hard, easier beating which is better for your shoulders, hands and arms and also, preservation of your reed.  If you find that you need to take a break after weaving for a while, that may be a signal that you would be more comfortable using a temple.

Joanne

Sun, 07/25/2021 - 21:21

Erica J

Joanne,

Great to hear from you again. You probably remember you were the teacher who convinced me to use a temple. I'm so glad you did. I have noticed on my most recent warp, that the temple puts tension on the warp in the weft direction. I think this really helps and it puts tension on the cloth in both directions as weaving. I see this as a real advantage! I was curious about the weft-faced weaves. I think I will try it on my non-tapestry weft-faced weaves and see what I think!

Sat, 07/31/2021 - 15:59

sandra.eberhar…

I don't use a temple for warp faced weaves, like rep.  I use them for some projects, and on some looms.  I usually don't use them on the AVLs because the sandpaper beam serves to keep the cloth at the right width.  I did use one on the 60" AVL when I was trying to get 56" wide fabric from the 60" loom, and had the temple set about 1/2 wider than the warp on either side.  I did get 55" fabric, after finishing.  I also used on when I was having trouble with the selvedge threads abrading in the read.  Some looms and warps seem to need a temple more than others.  I use end feed shuttles, and rarely have trouble with selvedges, but too much draw in causes abrasion of the selvedge threads.  

Mon, 08/02/2021 - 03:30

teacatweaver

I love weaving with linen and use a temple. I find my time weaving seems to fly by - I certainly get more consistent and good weaving when using a temple. There's something about the discipline of advancing more frequently that I'm always surprised at how much I get done. 
 

I don't use it for double width projects, obviously.

I recently used a temple on a Harris tweed project and my width was pleasingly consistent.

My pet peeve is getting the right size temple for the width of the project!

Tue, 08/03/2021 - 03:28

sandra.eberhar…

I agree that using a temple tends to make you advance the warp more often.  The 55" fabric from a 60" loom was an exercise in constistency.  I advanced the warp much more frequently than I usually do to maintain a consitent weft angle.  I was making a tablecloth and wanted perfect, uniform selvedges.

Tue, 08/03/2021 - 03:28

sandra.eberhar…

I agree that using a temple tends to make you advance the warp more often.  The 55" fabric from a 60" loom was an exercise in constistency.  I advanced the warp much more frequently than I usually do to maintain a consitent weft angle.  I was making a tablecloth and wanted perfect, uniform selvedges.

Tue, 08/03/2021 - 03:28

sandra.eberhar…

I agree that using a temple tends to make you advance the warp more often.  The 55" fabric from a 60" loom was an exercise in constistency.  I advanced the warp much more frequently than I usually do to maintain a consitent weft angle.  I was making a tablecloth and wanted perfect, uniform selvedges.

Tue, 08/03/2021 - 03:28

sandra.eberhar…

I agree that using a temple tends to make you advance the warp more often.  The 55" fabric from a 60" loom was an exercise in constistency.  I advanced the warp much more frequently than I usually do to maintain a consitent weft angle.  I was making a tablecloth and wanted perfect, uniform selvedges.

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