Sunday, August 18, 2013

Project Weaving

Sometimes you just get something in your head and have to "exorcise" it. About a month ago, I read a mystery book that just happened to take place at a fiber gathering.  In case you are interested, the book is Murder Comes Unravelled - A Flock and Fiber Mystery by Veryl Ann Grace.  The woman obviously knew her stuff about weaving and spinning, because the book passed that passion on quite well.  
I had noticed a class on Craftsy, Rigid Heddle Weaving, and I have looked at it several times.  I then did some online shopping for various looms.  The simple fact is that I can't afford one at this time.
The class looks excellent.  When I can get a loom, I will be sure to take this class.

So I did some research to see if I could make a simple weaving loom.  I found several articles about making a simple box loom.  I took a cardboard box and cut off the flaps.  I then marked the narrow ends every half inch and cut slits to hold the yarn.   Here is the box strung with my warp yarn strung.

 You will notice that there is a loop of excess at each end. These will be used to "tie off" the project when it is finished.
I also used one of the box flaps to make a shuttle so that the weft yarn will pass through easily. Trying to weave a ball of yarn over and under would be a nightmare - or at least a major challenge.
Here is my shuttle wound with yarn.

Another issue is that the sides of the box would impede progress.  I didn't want to damage the integrity of the box so I just cut a small section out of each side to ease the process.
Notice that I left a half inch or so in the corners to maintain the strength of the box.

Now I am ready to start weaving!
It is a simple over and under process. See how that "tab" at the end of the shuttle acts to lead the rest of the shuttle and yarn through the warp threads?  That was a lucky bit on my part. I am glad I did one on each end.
And here is a picture showing more of my progress on this.

I am "combing" the weft threads together with my fingers.  I also read that it is important not to pull the weft tight as it will distort your project.  Looking at this picture I may be getting just a bit tight.

Now, if anyone has a loom they want to get rid of -contact me and let's see if we can work something out.  I probably don't want anything larger than a 24" loom, or smaller than a 16" loom.  But I will consider anything!  Ha ha.
Now, back to my weaving project!


Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible unless otherwise stated. Foolishly posted "hate speech" comments will be swiftly removed.

10 comments:

Barb said...

Wow....you are amazing....love this

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I can remember making box looms back in my youth (so long ago) as a 4-H project. We also strung our warps between chairs with straws on each - wove over the straws and after so many rows you moved the straws up the warps - they were to keep you from pulling too tight.

Stray Stitches (Linda G) said...

How fun! I don't know what your price range is but here's one I found on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Lacis-Kliot-Tapestry-20-Inch-Hardwood/dp/B006TODLZ2
Have you checked out ebay?

Holee said...

I just knew you would love to weave! It's relaxing...now next project is sheep so you can do sheep to shawl! I found this one on overstock:
http://www.overstock.com/Crafts-Sewing/Kliot-Tapestry-Loom-20-inches-Hard-Wood/6784185/product.html?cid=202290&kid=9553000357392&track=pspla&ef_id=UgG2NwAABLxaCgUY:20130818171614:s

I think this would be a good starter.

Barbara Arcement said...

I love the box idea. I am going to have to try that. I got a 24 inch loom for my birthday this year. My DH got it for me on Amazon for about $180+ and I love it. Fun and easy and I am able to recycle t-shirts to make rugs. check out this post on my blog that I did back in April.

http://beebeesquiltsandmore.blogspot.com/2013_04_01_archive.html

I like the 24 inch but I think I sho
uld have gotten the 36 inch so my rugs would be a little wider.

Barbara said...

I too can remember doing something like this on a box. Fun. I also did the rug weaving on a round medal hoop. Now they do it on hula hoops.

Susan said...

I bookmarked this site http://simplyresourceful.blogspot.com/2013/04/how-to-make-rag-rug.html awhile ago thinking that I would make my own loom and use selvages and make placemats with them. It's still on the to-do list though!

Beth said...

You are really a man of many talents! Weaving does not call to me as much as spinning does. I am not sure I have enough hand-foot-eye coordination.
lol
Can't wait to see your woven piece completed. Looks pretty so far.

Dora, the Quilter said...

In one of my art classes decades ago, we were required to use weaving in something or to make a weaving project. I used two short and two longer 1 x 2s. I nailed brads in 1/2 inch increments along the shorter pieces and attached them to the longer pieces. Very inexpensive, and it worked very well. When I taught young children, we made them out of pop flats, but I think all the soda comes in different containers now--perhaps the flats from canned vegetables or fruits.

Barbara said...

OHhhhhh!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this! I want to do it! Help! Another idea that won't go away until I try it. Know exactly what you mean!!!!