GETTING UP TO WARP SPEED
Meetings: 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month: Oct 28, Nov. 11 & 25, Dec 9 and 23
- Getting all warped up! We are expanding our horizons getting up to ‘warp’ speed.
- Direct warping is the most common method of warping for rigid heddle looms.
- Is there a time that using a warping board is a better choice?
- What and when are the guidelines for that consideration?
- Weaving with fine threads, winding longer warps than 3 yards and for some, warping for multiple heddle applications are times that a warping board might be the technique of choice.
At our last meeting we introduced the steps of preparing a warp by winding it on the warping board, how to make the cross and use it for counting warp threads, preserving the cross with ties and then transferring the warp to the loom. We shared using a hybrid method of applying lease rods to the process and even a raddle, as we wound the warp on to the back beam of the rigid heddle. With the lease rods attached, the rigid heddle loom was then threaded, back to front, as the lease rods (cross) kept the threads in order.
Exposure to shaft looms is an inevitable step in weaving. At our meeting of the 28th, we will repeat the process learned in the last class, except we will be demonstrating taking the warp to a 4 shaft table loom, winding onto the back beam. After an introduction to reading a draft, the heddles will be threaded, back to front. Lastly, the reed will be threaded and the warp tied on. As time permits, the last portion may be carried over to the next meeting.
