Materials
2x1 board two 45 inch sections
3/4 inch dowel two 15 inch sections
drill to circular cut 3/4 inch hole
wood glue
15" Good Wood Magic Heedle, handmade rigid heddle, or set the warp Navaho style and tapestry weave
You can make a cheap sturdy frame loom which can be used to weave either three foot lengths Navaho style, or a six foot length if warped in a continuous manner. My husband made me a nice one that I tuck in the corner of the living room when not in use. Its decorative as well as functional.
Measure down each end of the two board pieces 8 inches on the center, and drill a hole 3/4 inches in diameter. This should yield four holes total, two in each board...:-))...
Place a good amount of wood glue in each hole and work the dowel pieces into the holes, so that they are flush with the outside of the board (the sides of the loom). Let dry. You may want to tack down through the one inch side of the board into the dowel to further secure it. We did and the joint is firm through out hard use.
To use wind your warp around and around the dowels and then slip the Good Wood "magic heedle" underneath the strands... and weave away....!!!! We placed several wooden lease sticks in the beginning to set the warp. Weave up the front of the loom until the heddle has no room to move. Then work in some other lease sticks. Remove the "magic heedle" and rotate the work over the top slightly holding the lease sticks.
Flip the loom over so that the weaving begins with the small section of completed work at the bottom. Put the Magic heedle back in or rotate your homemade heedle around the dowel. Continue weaving. With this loom you make a six foot length with a continuous warp set up. I've used it for scarves and towel sections.
To use it for Navaho tapestry wrap the warp as above, but chain the warp down by each dowel. Follow the directions for Navaho weaving from a good starter book like Rachel Brown's WEAVING,SPINNING,and DYEING BOOK.
This width is wide enough for dish towels, and long enough for a scarf. I've crocheted three panels together for homespun cotton for bath towels. Its a very handy loom. Its portability makes it good for mom's like me. I take it outside when I watch my son play in the yard, and weave away.
Go To Page: 1 2
