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The treadles on the Union 36 loom are attached at the rear of the loom and extend all the way to the front. They angle up and are therefore very high off the ground where the weaver sits. Since working at the loom while standing was intended as an option, that makes sense. However, 99% of all the people I've heard of, read about, or seen, weave while seated.
My Union 36 has the full-length treadles as do all but one I've ever seen in online photo searches and videos. The only exception is a Youtube video where the treadles have been cut off about 12" in front of the shaft chains with the top edges rounded over.
Cutting them shorter seems to make a lot of sense for seated weaving. When I sit at the loom even with a high bench seat it is very difficult if not impossible, not to mention extremely awkward and uncomfortable, to lift my legs up far enough to depress the treadles. It is necessary to lay my foot sideways and depress them closer to the chains. This too is some
Since I've seen so few looms with cut-down treadles, is this really what all of you with Union looms do, i.e. lay your foot sideways farther down the treadle and depress? Or do you employ some other method?
I would really appreciate your comments and insights. I'm willing to cut the treadles down but if there is a method that allows for normal, comfortable treadling with them long, I'd like to know and try before cutting.
Thank you very much.
Rich