My first drawloom warp used ten pattern shafts, which was plenty. I have now installed the cords and draw handles for all fifty pattern shafts, so the sky’s the limit! (See Process Review: First Drawloom Warp)
Adding all these draw cords and handles is a big job. It involves a cord threader and scissors and time—reaching, going back and forth, measuring, cutting, tying. Over and over. It’s not hard, but it seems endless. Yet for some strange reason this job is entirely enjoyable. I feel like an architect and builder, a dreamer and investor. It’s incredible to step back and see the structure that this effort has produced. And this is merely the set up. Can you imagine the weaving prospects?!
This is how we build good structures in our lives. Intentional, persistent, focused. Listen well. Over and over. The way we speak makes a difference in the way we listen. When we speak with grace, seasoned for the hearer, we ready ourselves to listen. Our cord threader is our unselfish attentiveness to pull someone else’s thoughts and questions toward our understanding. With this beautiful structure we are ready for anything. Accomplished through the grace of God, the sky’s the limit!
May your words be seasoned with grace.
Getting ready,
Karen
Looks so complicated!
Hi Beth, I know it looks complicated. That’s what I always thought. I’ve been surprised to learn that it’s actually a series of simple steps to set this up.
Happy Weaving,
Karen
Oh, my goodness. The loom set up is a piece of sculpture. Precision. Symmetry one view. Asymmetrical from another direction. Soooo beautiful.
Function that is a finely tuned instrument.
Thankful for sharing.
Nannette
Hi Nannette, Yes, It is a piece of sculpture. A fluid sculpture. You’ve given it a beautiful description.
All the best,
Karen
At one o’clock this morning I finished weaving up the last of the rag on the overshot warp. The plan was to cut off the 3 rugs and re-tie the warp to use to explore tapestry as described in one of your more recent blogs.
Curmugeon66 uses a stick to stabilize the woven edge until it can be machine hemmed. So… I pulled out a stick. Put it on the beater bar while I pulled the 3 rugs from the loom.. You know where I am going with this.
By the time I heard the stick hit the treadles, hours of carpet warp had been pulled from the reed. It was hot and sticky and I was tired.
This morning’s Sound Bites daily devotional title was ‘Paying Attention’.
Today’s plan is to put a sewing machine hem on the rag rugs and pack them up to take to the future retirement home.
There is nothing else to say… Well maybe “Praise God”
Please send more posts on how it works! Will be eager to see! Also, how wide of a Glimakra Standard Loom is needed to fit all 50 pattern shafts? (Minimum width) It looks like it will be fun.
Hi Lynette, I will post my progress with this loom. My Glimåkra Standard is 120cm (47”), but I think this same draw frame fits on a smaller Standard or Ideal—maybe 100cm (39”). Someone who knows for sure can comment on this to verify.
It will certainly be fun! That I know.
Happy Weaving,
Karen
I love the spiritual aspect of weaving and being that listener…. and incorporating the other person into our being …thank you for your post. Arlene
Hi Arlene, Thanks for your thoughtful words!
I’m so grateful for the Lord’s grace to show us how to make others more important than ourselves.
All the best,
Karen
That whole set up just boggles my mind! Nannette’s description is perfect!
Hopefully, I will have an opportunity to come see this in person one day, Karen.
In the mean time, I am looking forward to some videos of you weaving with this.
50?! I really don’t know if I could keep that all straight!
Hi Annie, It’s my hope to make some short videos of the drawloom. Thanks for the prompt.
Yes, 50 pattern shafts. That means 50 handles to pull. The more, the merrier!
All the best,
Karen
Karen thank you for your posts on the drawloom. I have an old countermarche loom that I would love to build a drawloom for. I find this very interesting and can’t wait to see what you do with it. I have taken a basic drawloom course. You have inspired me to get started.
Hi Judy, How wonderful that you are dreaming of building a drawloom for your countermarch! Dreams are where the action begins!
Happy Weaving,
Karen
Beautiful post!
Hi Keri Mae, Thanks for stopping by, my IG friend!
Happy weaving,
Karen
Thank you for the post. I just took delivery of my drawloom attachment yesterday. I am hitting a mental block at the cords. I have 20 pattern shafts, however I wish to purchase more. I have 2 questions. How do you measure the cord? I get the threading, however do you pull it taught on the right side and then measure a specific distance from the bottom of the frame where the spool is? Second, what is your recommendation for threading the cords with an eye to expansion. I am planning on getting all 50 pattern shafts. Again thank you for the post. Your weaving looks wonderful!
Hi Marquise, I am excited for all you are going to discover with your new drawloom attachment!
It has been some time since I set up all the draw cords on the loom. For your first question, to measure the cord the main thing is to be consistent as much as possible and to allow yourself a little more cord than needed. You describe the process well – how much distance to measure is a little bit of a guess. But don’t worry because you can always even them up later, if needed, by shortening cords that seem too long. Second question – I don’t think there is anything you need to do differently, knowing you will expand the number of shafts later. When you get the new shafts you can add the cords then. Or, you can go ahead and put in all the cords now if you have enough cord length to do that, and then they are ready when it’s time to add the shafts.
Thank you so much for your gracious words. It means a lot to me!
Karen