Backstrap weaving

Hello and welcome to Weavolution's BACKSTRAP WEAVING GROUP.

Backstrap weaving is about using sticks to form a loom,which is attached to and tensioned by the weaver, on which anything from simple narrow bands to wide pieces of fabric with complex pick-up patterns can be woven. Backstrap weaving is an ancient form of weaving still in practice today in many regions of the world.

My name is Laverne Waddington and I go here by the name of Bolivian warmi. ''Warmi'' is a word in Quechua-the language of many of the indigenous people in Bolivia and Peru which means ''woman''.I have been weaving with a backstrap loom since 1995 when I went to Peru for the first time and wove with an indigenous teacher. Backstrap weaving is my passion. Although I am Australian, I now make my home in Bolivia and have lived in South America since 1993. I have been learning to weave with indigenous weavers in Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador and Guatemala. They have taught me various complementary and supplementary warp patterning techniques.
ABOVE......You can see Lidia, my weaving teacher in Guatemala who taught me supplementary weft patterning.

In backstrap weaving the warp is stretched between two ordinary wooden rods. One rod is attached to a fixed object and the other rod is attached to the weaver by way of a strap that passes around the weaver's hips or waist. The weaver, therefore is part of the loom itself and use his/her body to apply and release tension on the warps. Backstrap looms are small, portable and inexpensive. The weaving can be simply rolled up and stashed away at the end of the day or popped into luggage to accompany you on your travels.

BELOW....backstrap weaving ''on the road'' near Calcha Bolivia.

Here are a few of my backstrap woven pieces...........

You can see more examples of my work here in my BACKSTRAP WEAVING GALLERY...................
www.flickr.com/photos/39560980@N05/sets/72157620033311308/

Here is all you need to put together a backstrap loom.............

Some common household items can be used to make your loom..........

All these bits then go together to make this.......................

If backstrap weaving is all completely new to you, an introduction to the basics can be found in the article entitled ''Backstrap Basics'' that I wrote for the online magazine WeaveZine. It even has video segments . You can see it here.....
weavezine.com/content/backstrap-basics

I started this BACKSTRAP WEAVING GROUP to provide support, tips, anecdotes, enouragement and know-how for those who have ever wondered...how in the world can such a primitive piece of equipment produce such beautiful and complex textiles? or thought....OK I have all the sticks now WHAT DO I DO WITH THEM?? I would also like to learn from other backstrap weavers out there.

We hope to be able to supply fast responses, photos, diagrams and explanations for anything that has ever stopped you from strapping in and getting down to weave. Here are some of things you will find in the BACKSTRAP WEAVING GROUP forums...............

Instructions for setting up a backstrap                  Pattern charts.                                 Tips and advice for warping.
loom-making string heddles.

DIY tips for making your backstrap            Galleries where members can show backstrap woven pieces that they own.
loom. This photo is by Francorios.                      This contribution is from Jeannine in Belgium.

We have put together backstrap weaving tutorials aimed at absolute beginner to intermediate level backstrap weavers and regularly run weave-alongs so that groups can weave the tutorial projects together with daily support and feedback.

TUTORIAL ONE-STRIPES                          TUTORIAL TWO-WARP FLOATS              TUTORIAL THREE-ONE WEFT
                                                                                                                                                  DOUBLE WEAVE

TUTORIAL FOUR-DOUBLE WEAVE COMBINED WITH PLAIN WEAVE.
The tutorials are supplemented by video segments on my Flikr page.

Here are some backstrap woven items made by members following the tutorials.........

Esmecat's stripes project.    Jenadina wove her own back-      Francorios's striped band.
                                                                            strap.

Aunt Janet's backstrap and loom.    Stripes and warp floats by Aunt Janet.     Aquinnah's ''comb'' design band.

Warp floats by bibi.                                                            Bibi's backstrap.

Connie's backstrap made from her own handspun.            Kimo's first piece-a beautiful backstrap.

Jeannine's warp float weaving.                                             Bibi's one-weft double weave.


Aunt Janet's warp float band                                                    Kitsune's variety of beautiful bands

dognapper2's first piece                           Franee has worked her way through the first 3 tutorials

Bibi adapted a traditional Bolivian design to                          Franee made a bookmark with the 2nd tutorial technique
one weft double weave.

Scottishlamb's beautiful backstrap. Mischiefmanaged has made two lovely bands.

Lavitaaj wove these mug rugs using the                      Stunning llama bands by Hrist (3rd beginner tutorial)
3rd beginner tutorial..

Slovakiasteph's first projects-a backstrap and her bookmark made with simple warp floats..

Ann's band decorated with supplementary wefts. the tutorial for this is on my blog.
http://backstrapweaving.wordpress.com/

Come join the never-evers who we now have up and weaving or come and tell us about your own backstrap weaving experience and help spread the obsession!!.
Just sign up to Weavolution, join the BACKSTRAP WEAVING GROUP and you are in.

   Laverne Waddington. Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

SOME OF MY WEAVING TEACHERS.


Margarita.                                     Felipe.    Estela . Catarina.
Huancayo, Peru.                         Salasaca, Ecuador.                     Cabanaconde, Peru.              Nebaj, Guatemala.

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