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I needed a craft to take some of my time off my hands. I can't just sit home and play on the net for 9 hours or more every day without getting bored! I decided to try weaving:
First thing I needed was a loom! I joined some forums to learn about weaving and looms.
Here are two of the Groups available online:
This content changes daily.
After watching the forums for a while, I went out to look for looms. I looked all over the web and couldn't find any within my price range.
So as normal I went to Ebay, I tend to buy and sell lots of things there.
I bid on several and didn't get anywhere near purchasing them. They were all out of my range. Then I saw one that I knew needed work!!
I bought it for Twenty Seven Dollars plus shipping of about six dollars. I didn't know how to find what it needed!!
It finally came in the mail, one huge box with tons of styro chips!! It came with no instructions, shuttles etc.
The seller did not even know it folded down for shipping!!
I found some shuttles that are about the right size, they were on ebay with a spool of warp and misc. colored yarn, six dollars plus shipping.
Found a nice individual selling an old Brio, she copied her instructions and sent them to me, her Brio had never been used, just left in the box, sold for Sixty Dollars!!
After much research I have come to the conclusion, this must be a Brio made in the 1960s, if not it is extremely similar..
All the parts are wood. and are in good shape, the new ones seem to have a lot of plastic parts. It even folds down for packing or shipping.
Much is missing and now I'm to the point of trying to replace the heddles, they fell apart. I retied the heddles as they were originally tied.
The dowels have been cut to the size I need. I warped it, and the bands, made of bias tape, did not work,
then my stepson put plastic straps on and it worked great!! Take a look:
While working on the Brio I purchased a Lap Loom, to have something to do.
After trying it a while I now know that it isn't what I want. I like to try new things.
It doesn't do quite the detail I want, but great things can be done with it!!
Found a fantastic tapestry page that the ideas can be used on this loom:
Soumak Weaving for the Beginner
Sold the Lap Loom and am getting ready to sell the Brio, on ebay 3/10/02. -
A very nice individual purchased the Brio and is enjoying it.
I purchased half of a LeClerc Rigid Heddle Loom, made in Canada.
I say half of a loom because only the frame work is there. I will get the rest later.
When it on ebay the seller said it was one of the easy looms to use! Because
"This small tabletop loom is the least expensive way to get in the craft of weaving.
Made in Canada, this example did not have the complex harness assembly of the more expensive models,
but can be used for very basic weaving."
I am wondering if he thought people could use it like a big "Friendly Lap Loom"!?!?!?
I think I like the challange of rebuilding the looms others give up on.
I ordered the rest of the LeClerc Rigid Heddle Loom, I hope it gets here soon.
I bought a used NSI loom on eBay. Upon receiving it I discovered it wouldn't hold a warp, that means I couldn't use it to weave.
My husband and I upgraded the hardware that was not holding the beams adequately.
Now the loom works great, I like it with one exception, my arms are too short!!
Since I have severe COPD it leaves me totally breathless when I attempt to warp the loom alone.
I have to stand up to reach the back of the loom to place the warp on the back beam, and then sit down.
That is the only way I can do it. I am under 5", so my reach is quite small.
Here is the loom I plan on placing on eBay now that it works. (04/14/2002)
I am also a glutton for punishment!! I have a 'square granny loom' I also have to learn to use!
and a 'hex granny' is on the way to me!!.
It gives me something to do and I always need something to do. Being a homebound is a PAIN in the Neck!!
Last Updated: 04/14/02
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