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Weaving: Step by Step

10/26/2020

2 Comments

 
People ask me questions about my process all the time. How long does it take to make a piece? What kind of machine do you use to do this?  What steps do you go through to get a finished piece?  Why is this scarf so expensive?  Those are hard questions to answer in 10 words or less. 

Obviously it varies vastly from piece to piece.  Some pieces are easy to plan and set up and take a long time to weave: we call those slow cloth.  Some pieces weave up quickly but the planning and loom setup take a long time.

Below is a storyboard of the steps involved in creating a piece in my studio.

My Studio

I have 3 looms that I do most of my weaving on:
  • 48" 16-harness Toika computer loom
  • 45" 12-harness Louet Spring loom
  • 26" 8-harness Schacht Baby Wolf
Picture
Picture

Planning

Planning time: 1-4 hours or more
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Selecting yarns
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Doing yarn wraps
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Picture
Preparing a threading draft
Picture
Calculating warp & weft needs
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Sampling for weft selection and pattern

Winding the warp

280 to 1000+ threads
​
Total time 1-6 hours depending on the number of threads and the number of color changes
Picture
Winding the warp on a warping board
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Winding the warp on a mill

Winding the warp

  • Spreading warp in the raddle
  • Winding onto the back beam
  • Threading the heddles
  • Sleying the reed
  • Tying onto the apron rod
  • Tying up the treadles
  • Winding bobbins
​
Total time 3-12 hours ​
Picture
Spreading the warp in the raddle
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Warp being wound onto the back beam
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Threading the heddles
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Sleying the reed
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Tying onto the apron rod
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Tying up the treadles
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Winding bobbina

Weaving

Total time 2-10 hours per item, depending on the size of the threads and the complexity of the weave structure.
Picture
Picture

Fringing / Hemming

Total time 1 to 3 hours per item

Fringing takes 1 1/2 hours for a typical scarf, 3+ for a shawl.

Hand hemming towels or runners takes about 45 min. to 1 1/2 hours depending on the size
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Fringing in progress
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Towels and runners are hemmed by hand

Finishing

Total time 1-3 hours
  • Hand wash or machine wash
  • Dry until slightly damp
  • Press until dry
  • Trim fringe

Documentation & Internet

Total time 1 to 4  hours 
  • Taking photos
  • Updating inventory
  • Calculating the cost of the item
  • Completing notes & paperwork
  • Posting on the website
  • Posting on Instagram
  • Posting on Facebook
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Paperwork, yarn samples and yarn wraps, photos, and samples
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2 Comments
Petra
11/4/2020 07:32:07 pm

This is a terrific detailed description of what is involved in creating a handwoven piece of wearable or decorative art.

Reply
Pattie Lamb
11/4/2020 07:37:02 pm

Thanks, Petra!

Reply

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    Pattie Lamb

    I have been happily weaving since my son was born in 1988.

    All pictures on my blog are "zoomable" - just click on them to enlarge.

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