Help needed with sett.

spinningjennie wrote

on 13 Sep 2012 2:55 PM

I am fairly new to weaving.  I warped my loom with some handspun silk which wrapped at 24 wpi.   I wanted to weave a twill scarf so sleyed the reed at 16 epi.  The weft is three strands of 60/2 silk.  The weft slides around a little so my question is, is it because i have set the warp too far apart or would it work if I found a thicker weft. If I resley the reed I think the scarf will be a little too narrow.   Thanking you in anticipation of your help.  Jennie

Elaine Almquist wrote

on 15 Sep 2012 4:50 AM

I cannot tell you what the 'perfect' sett will be for the silk, though I know twill weaves should be 'sett' closer together. That will keep the weft from slipping around, as silk is known to do. Sample.  You can find sett information in many of Interweave weaving reference materials. The coil bound fingertip book is an excellent reference to keep on your weaving shelf ontop of the loom. (Forgive me, I cannot say the name of it right now) VERY HANDY tho.

elaine

spinningjennie wrote

on 16 Sep 2012 2:21 AM

Thank you for your reply.  I have now found a thicker yarn for the weft - silk again - but it seems to be ok.  I know it's all about sampling I do it with my knitting and spinning so should do it with my weaving.  Think the problem is I have been knitting and spinning for many years and weaving for a few and trying to calculate the sett and allowing for drape I find difficult.  Thanks again.

Jennie

Elaine Almquist wrote

on 16 Sep 2012 5:18 AM

Oh, I can totally relate to that! AND the woven piece will again change character when wet finished, fulled, washed and patted flat to dry or whatever finishing process you use/choose to call it.........Like with knitting, it will soften and the threads will move around one another and the material will become soft and maleable (hopefully).....Some folks use a little loom or needle weave a sample rather than warp the big loom 'wasting precious threads in the process'. A dear long-time weaver friend says each of her pieces is a sample. And she changes thread weight and structure all the time. Glad to hear your project is working out for you. Handspun silk is one not to be wasted~ 

elaine

spinningjennie wrote

on 16 Sep 2012 1:48 PM

That's a good idea to needle weave a sample first. Must remember for the next time.  I think I just got carried away and wanted to get the loom warped up.

Jennie