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Weaving and Old Wives' Tales

27 Jul 2011 by Madelyn van der Hoogt
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madelynv@interweave.com

Hi there.

I have a 10-shaft Macomber loom. I have been told that weaving with only four of the shafts is not a good idea. I find this strange, but I was told that I have to space the threads among the shafts evenly for the loom to work. Is this true?

Thanks for your time,

—Paulette

Hi Paulette!

I think this is one of those old wives’ tales that seem to abound in weaving. There is absolutely no reason not to use the first four shafts only (or the first two or the first six or whatever shafts you want). It’s actually better to use the “first” ones since they are the closest to the fell of the cloth. (On countermarch looms, the closer the shafts are to the fell, the bigger the potential shed.) At any rate, the loom is happy no matter which shafts you use.

Other old wives' tales:

  • You should space the heddles you’re not using between the ones you do use.
  • Keeping lease sticks in the warp behind the shafts will help your tension.

Can anyone think of more?

—Madelyn

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lmswanson wrote
on 27 Jul 2011 10:07 AM

Madelyn,  Regarding the old wives tale of spacing extra heddles between the ones you do use, I have done so because the ability to rethread the ends that were mistaken without having to rethread the whole pattern.  Margaret S

franquie1 wrote
on 6 Aug 2011 3:30 PM

I have a question.  I have a rigid heddle loom.  When using the tie up system, is there anyway you can use the heddles you have.  I have 2 10 dent heddles, could these be used in place of tying it up .  I have this makes sense.  

franquie1@centurytel.net

sewderf wrote
on 19 Sep 2011 10:45 AM

Madelyn,

I actually have to dispute one of the old wives tales.  I am a beginner weaver, but on a peacock loom.  The tale is... You should space the heddles you’re not using between the ones you do use.  

Just yesterday I noticed that the loose heddles had gotten caught up in the edges, where the strips that hold the shaft in place are.  Because of the friction when turning the shafts two of them broke.  I thought next time I'll have to place the unused heddles between the used ones.  The used ones tend to stay more in place where the loose ones fall to the side when switching the shafts.

Sewderf

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