This fabric is a plaid wool that was started as a class project - now it is a UFO, and it has been for a very long time. Perhaps foolishly, I decided that I wanted to put on a warp on my weighted loom long enough to have a useful piece of fabric when I was done – 5 yards to be exact.

As a learning experience it was very successful for me (even though I was one of the teachers for the class!) – I learned that it is possible to pack the warp into the tablet woven header band way too tightly. So instead of the recommended sett or 20 – 28 ends per inch for plain weave, I have a sett of 36 – 40 ends per inch. This means a couple things. First, the fabric is warp faced, very warp faced. Second, it’s a bit of a struggle to get a clear shed. Third, the warps sticking together cause abrasion and breakage.

There's more about this project and my loom on my blog.

 

 

Comments

kbird (not verified)

Incredible!  I have only seen one other picture of a warp-weighted loom, and I was quite fascinated.  I actually have a picture stored on my iPod touch of one, that I just think is a really cool weaving picture.  Can you tell us anything about the loom and how it came to be your weaving tool?  Is this just one of many looms that you own?

Thanks for sharing,
Kay

Astra (not verified)

Thank you. 

I do historical reenactment of various time periods, so the warp weighted loom (WWL, for short) is primarily a teaching and demonstration tool.  Beyond that, it's a way to show people that with relatively simple tools and little money one can have a very usable loom.  The materials for my loom cost just under $200 - and that's only because I chose to make it out of ash wood. But if someone is willing to work with pine, it would be possible to make a serviceable WWL for well under $100 and with no more tools than a saw and a drill press.

My main loom, however is a 45" 8-harness Schacht floor loom.

--Esther

Finished Length Unit
yards
Finished Width Unit
yards
Length Off Loom Unit
yards
Length on Loom Unit
yards
Project Status
Weaving
Sett Unit
epi
Width off Loom Unit
inches
Width on Loom Unit
inches