Looms

Tilting warping bar on a continuously warped loom like a Mirrix | Questions from The Art of Tapestry Weaving

Tilting warping bar on a continuously warped loom like a Mirrix | Questions from The Art of Tapestry Weaving

Many of us like to use tapestry looms or frames with continuous warping. This usually means that you have some kind of warping bar that revolves with the warp around the loom. This way of warping is helpful because you can weave something a lot longer than your loom is tall. But one problem I see on any loom with continuous warping is that the warping bar can become tilted as you’re weaving. If you don’t notice this problem, it can have consequences for how square your tapestry is. It is easy to miss the tilt as it starts happening because we tend to weave with something between the layers of warp. That makes weaving easier visually, but it also hides the bar from our immediate view.

Both the classic Mirrix looms and the Schacht Arras tapestry loom have this kind of continuous warping with a warping bar. You can also do it on any pipe loom. In the video below I demonstrate the problem and talk about how to fix it.

The Mirrix Chloe loom. A review.

The Mirrix Chloe loom. A review.

I’ve been playing with the new Mirrix Chloe loom for several months now and I’ve had a lot of people asking me about it in my online courses and on social media. The Chloe loom is the new version of the Saffron Pocket Loom. The Saffron came out with in 2020 and I reviewed it HERE.

The Chloe loom uses the square bars that are standard on Mirrix’s bigger looms for a lap-sized loom with one tensioning bar in the middle.

I use the Saffron loom a lot for samples and teaching and honestly, I didn’t see any need at all for a new version of this loom, but I will admit to all of you, that…

Looming parts... from boxes to weaving

Looming parts... from boxes to weaving

Put things in boxes. Keep them from getting broken… they said.

Okay, that is what my brain said when I was packing. But let me tell you, when you take apart four different large looms with wooden parts and then put them in boxes that match the size/length of the parts instead of by loom, it can make it mighty difficult to find the parts when you want to put just one of those looms back together again on the other end! Sure, it was efficient in terms of packing and the number of long boxes I had, but not so great on this side of things.

Putting the rug loom back together with my dad…

The weaving woodwork of Jim Hokett

The weaving woodwork of Jim Hokett

Jim Hokett’s business was called Hokett Would Work. He was a woodworker and his little pun was quite a joke actually because I have met few people who worked harder than he did. For many years after finding his beautiful looms at a conference booth, I purchased his looms and tools. He did eventually retire several years ago and the tapestry weaving world has missed him ever since.

Jim passed away suddenly on March 6th. I wanted to post some of his work here as a remembrance. I hope you’ll tell me your memories of using his tools or maybe interacting with him in the comments.

Tapestry weaving on a budget

Tapestry weaving on a budget

Historically tapestry weaving was a trade. In the middle ages (and even through present times), weavers were skilled technicians weaving large designs created usually by painters. Today tapestry weaving has become an art form that is often practiced at smaller scales by people who are designing and weaving their own work.

Tapestry has a wealthy past as patrons funded the workshops that wove those large tapestries for their castles and country homes. Today tapestry weaving can be for everyone.

It is true that purchasing equipment and materials for any new art form can be pricey. There are many tapestry looms for sale that for many people are just too expensive to consider. And tapestry yarns can also feel out of reach when you have to purchase large amounts in many colors. But there are less expensive ways to find the materials and equipment needed.

A little more time in Taos: tapestry and Mabel Dodge Luhan

A little more time in Taos: tapestry and Mabel Dodge Luhan

I’m teaching in Taos this week at the Mabel Dodge Luhan House. This is a group of alumni to my retreats and most have been to Taos before. We have become a great group of friends over the years and it is a marvelous way to share about tapestry weaving, coming together in a beautiful and quiet setting. There is a fire going in the house at all times, the food is beyond marvelous, and the thick adobe walls ensure quiet rest.

Warping for various setts on a peg loom with this one simple trick (plus a discount code!)

Warping for various setts on a peg loom with this one simple trick (plus a discount code!)

Schacht Spindle Company has a selection of tapestry looms that I use. Their peg looms are sturdy and easy to find in the USA and in some places around the world. While I love their new Arras tapestry loom (reviewed here), their peg looms are great for travel or for small projects at home. These looms include the Schacht Lilli Loom, Easel Weaver Loom, and School Loom. The pegs used on these three looms are all the same and the sett is about 5.5 ends per inch. Most of us don’t want to weave at 5.5 ends per inch when weaving small things because we want more detail, so how do you warp these looms to get closer setts?