I am encountering an issue with warp tension while weaving damask with half-heddle sticks. Several warp threads, all where the pattern is (most in the center), have become loose which is resulting in an unclean shed on several, but not all, of the treadles. I have weighed the loose ends but new (or the same it's a bit hard to tell) ends have become loose. I would appreciate any suggestions on how to correct the issue.

I am weaving a 6-end broken twill with 8 half-heddles (Wreaths from Weavers' Delight) using 16/2 Unmercerized Cotton in the warp and weft sett at 40 epi on a Glimakra Julia Countermarch. I am using elastic bands on the shafts and have tied all the lower lamms to the outer treadle which corrected an issue I had previously with floating shafts using this method (thank you to Joanne Hall for these suggestions).

Comments

Mon, 01/02/2012 - 06:33

Sara von Tresckow

The usual approach to loosening warp threads is to weight them. This results in the threads continuing to stretch and cause difficulty for the length of the warp.

When you come to a "stopping point" between 2 pieces on your warp, try to pull those threads tight on the fell line and secure with straight pins as you would a broken end - possibly even consider breaking them and re-fastening them with even tension. This will put all threads under even tension and you can continue without needing to pay attention to the weighted threads any more.

Mon, 01/02/2012 - 15:49

Joanne Hall

Sara has given you some very good suggestions for dealing with your problem.  But for your next warp, it would help if you beam the warp more tightly.  Any time you weave with half heddle sticks, a drawloom or any type of pick up weave, you will be pulling more on some warp threads than on others.  This requires that the warp be put on the warp beam very tightly, so that the warp threads you are stressing do not get loose. 

When I beam a warp, I lay out the warp chains on the floor.  I put a towel under the warp and covered bricks on top.  I show this in my warping book. When you start winding the warp, you should feel the weight enough so that it is hard to turn the warp beam.   If it is easy to turn, add more weight. 

If you have a long warp on the loom and you plan to weave several items, you might want to rebeam after you are finished with the one you are weaving. 

Joanne

Mon, 01/02/2012 - 22:00

anatcheva (not verified)

Thank you. I'll try this solution on the current warp.

Mon, 01/02/2012 - 22:02

anatcheva (not verified)

Thank you. I'm glad to have a solution to try and prevent this issue on my next warp.

Wed, 09/25/2013 - 20:12

scottishlamb

Joanne, I've sent you an email asking about half heddle sticks as I'm about to take your class next month and it's in the materials/supplies list.

Can anyone post a picture?  I have never heard of a half heddle stick and I tried to search online to no avail.

Thanks in advance,

Jean

Wed, 09/25/2013 - 22:36

endorph

you asked this question since I was wondering the same thing! Tina
Thu, 09/26/2013 - 02:55

scottishlamb

Joanne replied to me via email.  To save her some time and work, I'll repost here.  I've actually used something similar to this in backstrap weaving.  Just didn't realize that's what it was called.

Joanne's reply: 

Half heddle sticks are simply a stick with lengths of threads which loop around warp ends. They are put between the shafts and the back beam.  The stick can be any thick smooth stick, like a dowel or a flat stick a little longer than the weaving width, so 12- 14 inches long.  It is very helpful to have a hole drilled in each end.   It is used to save or record a picked up shed.  To do the saving, heddles are used.  They can be a loop of thread about 11 or 12 inches long (as a doubled thread).  Or it can be an 11 inch or 12 inch string or Texsolv heddle.  You will need about a dozen of these.  You will also need some string to hold the heddles on to the stick and this string is tied into the holes in the end of the stick.

Thu, 09/26/2013 - 02:55

scottishlamb

Joanne replied to me via email.  To save her some time and work, I'll repost here.  I've actually used something similar to this in backstrap weaving.  Just didn't realize that's what it was called.

Joanne's reply: 

Half heddle sticks are simply a stick with lengths of threads which loop around warp ends. They are put between the shafts and the back beam.  The stick can be any thick smooth stick, like a dowel or a flat stick a little longer than the weaving width, so 12- 14 inches long.  It is very helpful to have a hole drilled in each end.   It is used to save or record a picked up shed.  To do the saving, heddles are used.  They can be a loop of thread about 11 or 12 inches long (as a doubled thread).  Or it can be an 11 inch or 12 inch string or Texsolv heddle.  You will need about a dozen of these.  You will also need some string to hold the heddles on to the stick and this string is tied into the holes in the end of the stick.

Thu, 09/26/2013 - 10:57

scottishlamb

Finally thought to go to Google Sweden.  Here's a picture.  Not quite what I used in backstrap, but close: 

http://bobinerna.blogspot.com/2011/04/plockad-opphamta.html

Thu, 09/26/2013 - 11:39

endorph

something similar with the rigid heddle loom - again did not know that was what it was called! I probably have string heddles and a stick at the house - just need to find them!
Thu, 09/26/2013 - 20:31

scottishlamb

That's what I'm going to do.  I have plenty that will work.