Some of my Favorite Tools (and where you can find them)

Over the years I have gathered many tools that have become indispensable to me in my studio.  Here are a few that are easy to find online.

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Heddle Bar Clips
​Officemate OIC Slide On Plastic Clips, Assorted Translucent Colors, Tub of 60
Amazon $4.29 as of 6/2018

​I use these on my heddle bars to keep the extra, unused heddles back away from the weaving - a vast improvement over tying them back with string and MUCH easier to use than those little binder clips

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Shoelaces!
​These are "DIY White Shoelaces"
Oriental Trading Company $5.99 for 12 pairs as of 6/2018

I use shoelaces for tying off my warp chains, among other things in the studio.   These are great because they last forever.  I have shoelaces in my studio that are 25 years old!
These are 48” long.  I cut them in half, so 12 pairs gives me 48 shoelaces!

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Treadle Bands
Goody Girls Ouchless Elastics, 2 mm, No metal
Target or Amazon, various counts and prices

I use these on my treadles so I can treadle without peaking:  “Braille” for my feet.  I put them on all of my treadles and slide certain ones down so my feet can feel them and others up out of the way so I cannot.  I like to put 3 on each treadle so they are "bulkier" and easier to feel with my feet.

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Pick Counter
UltraOptix Linen Tester-Loupe Magnifier
Amazon, $9.52 as of 6/2018

This is an inexpensive magnifier that helps you count picks per inch (or examine your cloth for errors).  The window is exactly 1” square.  You place the window on the cloth and look through the magnifier while you count.

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Curved Scissors
Beadalon Squeeze Scissors, Curved
Amazon, $7.79 as of 6/2018
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I use these for trimming threads close to the surface of my finished cloth. The curved blades let you get close to the cloth without cutting the cloth.

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Fringe Twister
This one is the Lacis Fringe Twister
A newer version is on Amazon, $21.96 as of 6/2018
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I use this for twisting all of my fringe (I only use 2 of the prongs).  It is battery powered and has been a life saver.  There are other versions of this on the market.  Shop around.

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