You followed all the instructions for dressing the loom, and have finished the countermarch tie-up. Now, at the moment of triumph you step on the treadles, one by one. Alas! Some or all of the treadles give you nothing you can call a shed. Now what? Maybe you relate to Laura who wrote me recently, “I can’t seem to get the treadles to make a shed.”
The solution is simple. Follow the advice in this sentence on page 37 of Learning to Warp your Loom, by Joanne Hall, “If your sheds are not good, check your loom tie-up from the top down.”
If sheds are missing, there is a good chance you have a crossed cord.
Find Misaligned Cords
1 Follow each Texsolv cord, starting from the countermarch at top of the loom.
2 Make sure that each cord is connected in the right order at the right place.
Is the first countermarch jack connected to the first shaft, the second jack to the second shaft, and so on?
Are the cords that go to the lower lamms strictly in order?
– With horizontal countermarch, does each cord fall behind the shafts in order?
– With vertical countermarch, is each cord on its pulley, and connected to lamms in the right order?
3 Correct any misaligned cord.
Now, step on each treadle, one by one. Decent sheds that just need a little refining? Triumph!
Helpful Habit
When attaching a cord while dressing the loom, start your hand at the top of the cord and slide it down to the point of connection. This helps you take hold of the correct cord.
May none of your cords be crossed.
Happy Weaving,
Karen
Wish I would of read this weeks ago. But thanks to you and your wonderful emails, I got it!,. Don’t know why I kept thinking it was my treadle tie up. But finally like you said (after about doing it for the 8 time, undoing 64 cords over and over again) I decided to start at the top and yes that is where my mistake was the whole time. Thanks again for all your help and yes this is great information for everyone who owns a Glimakra. Happy weaving all.
Hi Laura, The reason I know the solution to this problem is that I’ve done it myself -more than once. I’m super happy that your loom is now ready for weaving!
All the best,
Karen
Good morning Karen,
Weaving requires great attention to detail. I need to remember to physically follow the cords.
Thank you
Nannette
Hi Nannette, It’s those little habits that can make a big difference.
Happy weaving,
Karen
Good morning Karen,
Those hooks on the top of your harnesses are a great idea. Did your loom come like that? Or did Steve drill the holes?
I got my loom in the early eighties, vertical countermarche, and I have to climb up to undo them at the top. I would be worried to drill a cup holder hook hole in my harnesses and crack them, but I sure would love to do it, so much simpler.
Love the work that you do.
Maureen
Hi Maureen, the Glimåkra Julia comes with the hooks on the shaft bars. Instead of adding hooks to your loom, there’s a simple way of attaching and detaching the shaft cords. I use a Texsolv heddle, folded in half. Loop the heddle under the shaft, and put the shaft cord through the top of the heddle and secure it with an arrow pin. Easy Peasy!
Happy Weaving,
Karen
Wow, the folded heddle trick will save me a lot of misery too. My Standard is also an oldie but goodie.
Hi Joanna, I wouldn’t trade my Standard for anything! Yes, the heddle trick makes it soooo simple.
Karen
Wow! Thank you Karen. Ingenious! I went out for a walk and came back to a new way of removing and replacing the harnesses. I won’t have to get the footstool out each time. Really, really appreciate this. Like Joanne, you have saved me a lot of misery.
Hooray!!!
I stand amazed in His Presence!! I was done with the loom set-up but thought the shed should open a little wider. Both sheds (just doing a beginner’s two shaft) open high to the top of the reed but the lower part of each shed only goes to about one inch above the lower part of the reed. Shouldn’t it be lower?
I will look through you message today about the cords and your pictures give me another answer about the cords and I like what you did with the countermarch as I am only using the first two, such as putting on the rest of the cords but wrapping the jacks not used around the back of the countermarch.
I shedded a tear when I saw answers to my prayer. He is always faithful. Praise the Lord! Thank you, Karen!
Hi Linda, Isn’t the Lord good to show us what we need when we need it?
As far as where the warp is in your reed, try weaving a little bit. If everything works and nothing is obstructed, I would leave it. If the top of the shed is hitting the top of the reed, you could try lowering your shafts by one hole in the Texsolv and that should take care of it.
Yes, I do wrap the unused cords around the back of the countermarch. Good catch!
Happy weaving,
Karen
Hi Karen,
Thanks for your continued inspiration, helpful tips, and clear photos. The more I use my Glimakra Ideal, the more I love it. I noticed that you have 2 sets of lease sticks at your back beam. I use one set. Can you explain and enlighten us?
Be well,
Martha
Hi Martha, I commend your observation skills. Two sets of lease sticks is not my usual procedure. This is a project that is combining two warps. You can read more about it in Spreading Two Warps at Once. Thanks for your interest! It’s a pleasure to walk with like-minded friends.
Happy Weaving,
Karen