WeavingProcess

This page shows some of the steps that I use to create my handwoven originals. In weaving it is necessary to have two sets of yarn, one is threaded on the loom, a process we weavers call "warping the loom" - This set of yarn is called the warp. Next there is the set of yarn that is called the weft, (occasionally called woof) The weft is the yarn that goes over and under the warp to make the fabric, the pattern of the fabric is determined by which warp threads are up and which are down when the weft passes over the warp.

After measuring the warp, while sitting at the front of the loom looking toward the back. I thread each end (piece of yarn) through the reed, a comb-like piece of metal on the beater.- the wooden frame that holds the reed and which the weaver pulls forward to "beat" the yarn into place.

Next, switching around to the back of the loom looking forward, I thread each piece of yarn through the heddles. The heddles are strings(or can be wire) with "eyes" in the middle that hold the yarn in place when the yarn is threaded through the eye. The heddles are held separate from each other on shafts or harnesses - the wooden frames that then go up and down in the pattern the weaver determines.

The yarn is then tied onto the back beam and wound around on the back beam while being "combed" through the reed and the heddles to make a nice, even tensioned warp.

Switching again to the front of the loom the warp is now tied on to the cloth beam, therefore enabling the weaver to advance the warp from back to front as the weaving progresses.

When the harnesses (shafts) are tied to the treadles (pedals under the loom) the weaver can control which harnesses and therefore, which warp threads are raised and which ones are lowered, thus determining the design of the weave.

This is my Harrisville Rug Loom showing the rug as it wraps around the cloth beam after the cloth (in this case a rug) is woven.

I hope this helps you understand the weaving process a little more. I would be happy to respond to any questions you may have about either the process or my weaving. If you are in the area feel free to stop by and see the weaving in progress.