Weaving Assignment

Vocabulary:

  • Loom: The apparatus or tool used to weave upon 
  • Warp: (verb) to add warp strings to your loom, (noun) the string that you’ll weave through
  •  Weft: The string that is woven through the warp strings to create fabric

How to Warp a Circular Loom:

The string will go length-wise across your loom from notch to notch.

  1. Tie a slip knot with a 2 to 3 inch tail into a notch with the tail going towards the back of the loom.
  2. Pull the rest of the string down from the top of the loom to the bottom notch that
    lies directly across from it.
  3. Tuck the string into that notch, then pull around the back of the loom and
    through the front of the next notch.
  4. From there, go across the center and up to the corresponding notch at the top of your loom.
  5. Repeat until all notches are covered.
  6. Use any excess thread to wrap around the center of your loom where the warps cross in order to space the warps evenly throughout your loom.
  7. If all warps are evenly spaced and you have extra thread, it is encouraged you leave the tail to tie your weft to.

Making Stitches:

The Tabby weave is a basic over-under-over-under stitch. It is a stitch that is easy to accomplish in a standard fashion. You always go over one warp string and under the next warp string.

  1. Tie a new weft string to the string you used during your previous weave or to a warp string.
  2. Choose a starting spot: where your last stitch ended or a completely new warp string.
  3. Weave your weft thread around your warp strings – alternating going over one string and under the next – and pull the string through.
  4. Gently slide your layer of weft strings toward the center of the loom so there is no space between weave layers.
  5. Repeat this process for as many layers as you would like.
  6. As you change threads, make sure to tie your thread to something in the back of your loom to keep your thread from unraveling.

The Soumak weave is similar to the basic Tabby stitch. Instead of a 1 to 1 under over ratio like the tabby, you choose the amount of warp strings you go over, and then choose a lesser number to go back under. If you stay consistent all the way around the loom for at least one rotation, your piece will have a slightly raised line. Here are the steps for a Soumak Weave that is Over 4 Under 2:

  1. OPTIONAL: Tie a new weft string to the string you used during your previous weave. You can always use your previous string but you will want at least enough string for another rotation.
  2. Starting where your last stitch ended , place your string OVER 4 warp strings (or whatever over amount you chose for the rotation)
  3. Pull the string around to the back of the loom.
  4. Move in a backwards direction UNDER and around 2 (or whatever amount you chose) strings.
  5. Pull the thread back to the front.
  6. Repeat this process for a full rotation.
  7. As you change threads, make sure to tie your thread to something in the back of your loom to keep your thread from unraveling.

Artwork Example:

Project Idea: One weaving project that would be appropriate for engaging students is weaving with a cardboard loom to show students how financially accessible weaving can be.

Cultural Tie-In: Online or in a book, find at least one example of a culture in which traditional artisans use this material to create objects of importance to that culture.  Describe the artform: Where is it from?  What does it look like?  Does it have any specific uses in the culture?  Are there specific people who make it?  Include any other pertinent information about the art-form and/or the people who make it.  Include at least two representative images with links or citations for where you found it.

In the Nagaland, a state in northeastern India, women have revitalized their once dying tradition of weaving in their culture in order to support their families in the 21st century. They use a loin loom to create beautiful woven pieces they use in their own home and sell to tourists. They have even started hosting an annual Loom Festival where tourists can come and learn how to weave like they do in the Nagalands.

Weaving is also historically important in preserving the unwritten oral folklore of the Nagas. This act of creating art empowers the women of the Nagalands as storytellers as well as financial providers.

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Sonnie Kath
Sonnie Kath

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