How far will you travel? How will you know when you have arrived? Do you wish you could know when you are halfway there? Applied to weaving, I like to have the answers to these questions before I begin the “journey.” A pre-measured tape gives me consistency, especially important for multiple pieces in a set. The tape also acts as my “trip odometer.” I can see how far I’ve gone, and exactly how much is left to weave. It satisfies my insatiable need to know how close I am to the end. Are you like that, too?
How to Make and Use a Pre-Measured Tape
Supplies
- Roll of 3/4″ or wider twill tape (or any cloth tape or ribbon that does not stretch, and that pins easily)
- Tape measure with inches and/or centimeters
- Fine tip permanent marker
- Flat head pins
- Use the permanent marker to place markings on the twill tape, as measured with the tape measure. Mark the start line 1/2″ from the end of the twill tape, so that the tape can be pinned in front of the mark.
- After drawing a line for the starting point and ending point, draw a line at the midway point, labeled MID.
- Include dotted lines for hem measurements, if applicable. Write the hem measurement on the twill tape; i.,e., 3/4″ or 2 cm.
- Write the weaving length measurement on the twill tape. Include calculation for takeup, if desired; i.,e., 25″ + 3″.
- Write the project or item description on the twill tape, if desired, for ease of repeat use; i.e., handtowel.
- Add other lines or marks, as needed, for borders, placement of weft colors, or other design elements.
- 1/2″ after the final marking, cut pre-measured twill tape from the roll of tape.
With the warp under tension, pin the pre-measured twill tape near the right or left selvedge with two flat-head pins. Match the start line of the tape with the beginning of the weaving.
Before each advancement of the warp, move the pin closest to the breast beam to a point near the fell line. In this way, have the pins leapfrog each other, moving only one pin each time. Always keep the warp under tension when moving the pins.
![Red cutting lines between black and white towels.](https://warpedforgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Version-2-3-1024x576.jpg)
![Ending hem is followed by two red picks that will become the cutting line between towels.](https://warpedforgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Version-2-5-1024x576.jpg)
![When the "MID" point hits right where it should!](https://warpedforgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Version-2-1-1-1024x576.jpg)
![Pre-measured twill tape marks weft color placement on linen scarves.](https://warpedforgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Version-2-4-1024x576.jpg)
![Tricks with pre-measured tape for weaving.](https://warpedforgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Version-2-2-1-1024x576.jpg)
![Alpaca scarf in an interesting 8-shaft twill.](https://warpedforgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Version-2-2-1024x576.jpg)
![Pre-measured twill tape helps set the pace for the weaving project.](https://warpedforgood.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Version-3-1024x576.jpg)
May you accurately measure your ways.
Truly yours,
Karen