This is my first time posting to a web group or forum, and I have finally gotten the courage to introduce myself and ask some questions. My name is Diana and I have wanted to learn to weave for over 25 years. I finally decided to just go for it as I am not getting any younger. Last month I purchased a Schacht 20" Flip Rigid Heddle loom and a good amount of 3/2 pearl cotton in various colors. I jumped in and started weaving 2 placemats in plain weave using 8/4 cotton warp for the warp and 3/2 pearl cotton for the weft. They came out pretty good for a start. The only thing is one is about two inches longer than the other, as I finished the first and then rewarped and did another. I can fully understand needing a template to determine lengths. I am now working on a scarf made of worsted wool (totally differnt than working with cotton) in a 5 dent reed.
I was surfing Craigs List a few weeks ago and found a Leclerc 36" Artisat floor loom that was being sold by a woman whose mother had owned it for many years before she passed. It was used in upstate New York for many years and had been in storage in So Cal for the last 4. Needless to say, the offer was so good, I couldn't pass it up so I jumped at the opportunity. I now have it in my living room, have cleaned it up, inspected it, replaced rusted reeds and am ready to start my first project on it.
I have purchased several videos, read several books, watched lots of YouTube videos and haven't a clue of what to start on the floor loom. I reached out to the local guild but it seems they are defunct, and I do not have any weaving shops/teachers within a 2-3 hour distance from my home. I have a lot of 3/2 Pearl cotton and am looking for ideas of what to try on the floor loom. What is the minimum warp length for that loom? I have to calculate just how many yards of 3/2 pearl cotton I have, but I kinda went a little overboard on purchasing it....it was pretty... and the first thread I have ever really worked with.
I do not knit, crochet or sew so fiber arts is completely new for me. Your input and ideas would be greatly appreciated!