Leaping Into the Deep End

 

A local weaver has arranged to purchase a draw loom and since I've woven on one (attended Madelyn van der Hoogt's Weaving School) I have rusty memories about how they work.  I've offered to help, and Amanda has suggested that I can come 'play' on it once it is up and working.  So I'm very excited.

I really enjoyed weaving on a draw loom, but my neck was less than impressed.  So it didn't seem prudent that I spend the money required, try to find the space that would be needed, and the time to really get comfortable with getting to know more.

I loaned Amanda some books, the loom's owner gave her some more, and we've discussed a few others that will help her get ready for the plunge.  In the meantime, I've suggested that she set the loom up as an 'ordinary' shaft loom because she's not woven on a Glimakra previously and it would a good idea to get familiar with the mechanics of the 'standard' loom before attempting to use the draw attachment.

Not all of the books that I recommended to her are commonly available, but I gave her some suggestions of where she might obtain copies - Inter-Library Loan, for one, Handweaving.net for another.  Complex Weavers may have some as I think they have a draw loom study group.  But it's been ages since I have been a member of CW.  They also have a library, but I don't know about shipping books from the US into Canada, given current events.

I know that I'm not the 'best' resource for her, but I'm the only one here who has woven more than once on a draw loom.  And I have some of the books she needs and am willing to loan them.  It is also giving me something new and exciting to think about, and polish off some of the mental rust.  It's been decades since I wove at The Weaving School.  But I still have my samples, and I can dig them out for Amanda to take a gander at.

Coincidentally, I have a Zoom presentation booked for Saturday in which I will talk about The Weaver's Toolbox and one of the things I will discuss are the mechanics of the 3 main types of looms commonly available - rising (jack), sinking/rising (counter balanced) and direct sinking/rising (counter march).

This is the first guild presentation since I had the brain bleed.  I'm very nervous if I can manage it, but if I can, I will be open to add more bookings to my calendar.  (If you belong to the Greater Vancouver Weaver's Guild - it's Saturday morning this weekend.  Just saying.)

My list of online guild presentations is available at https:laurafry.com