I'm a new weaver using a Baby Wolf and finding it frustrating to get my warp on the loom evenly. I think I have it tied on evenly to the back and front beams and wound with an even tension but once I start weaving I run into problems with the outer threads getting tighter than the inside threads creating a scalloped look on the cloth. I've noticed that the thread on the back beam pulls tighter at the outer edges and not on the inside creating a mound in the middle and not on the ends. I've also started using a stretcher bar which helps the selvedge from pulling in but I'm still not happy about irregular look I get when I beat the cloth (is that the right term ?? :) ) and end up cutting it off and starting again which is a waste of materials. I am using paper to wind the back beam. Any hints you can give me would be welcome!

Comments

Sat, 07/13/2013 - 14:39

dtjacobson

When you tie onto the cloth beam, start at the middle. Tie on the first bout, then tighten the cloth beam 1 click. Tie on 1 bout on each side of the first bout, then tighten the cloth beam another click. Continue tying on bouts, alternating each side, and tightening the cloth beam in between each group of 2 bouts.

Sat, 07/13/2013 - 15:11

sequel (not verified)

What are you weaving?  If it's something with a wide plain weave border on both sides of a lace weave, then you probably will run into tension problems, as the take up is different between the lace sections and the plain sections.

 

Another way to tie on is to start in the middle with your 1" sections, then the edges with their 1" sections to match the tension of the center group.  No need to click forward, the next section you will tie on will be halfway between the center group and the end group on the left, then the corresponding group on the right.  Each time you tie on a 1" group, tie it just tight enough to match the existing groups.  After a while, the whole thing will seem a little slack as the weight of the front bar will be supported by more ties.  Now you can click it forward until it's a manageable tension to tie the rest of the 1" groups. 

 

I hope you are tying on by pulling the nicely tensioned groups over the rod, around and under, then up on either side to tie on top.  Tie a regular shoelace bow, but pull one set of tails through so you have only one loop of the box left on top.

 

 

Sat, 07/13/2013 - 15:49

laurafry

How long a warp? What are you using for warp packing? Cheers Laura
Sat, 07/13/2013 - 16:05

JPMorabito

I'd need to see a picture, but it sounds like you are have issue with bow and skew, or in this case, specifically bowing. Is there more build up along the selvedges than in the center? This would cause the scalloped look that I think you are talking about. What kind of a weave are you using? Plain weave and plain weave derived structures are notorious for bow and skew, as sequel mentioned, there is a lot of take up with plain weave. 

To compensate I would first be really dilligent in beaming. Make sure all the paper is evenly, and cleanly in between all the layers of warp thread. I like to use paper that is a little wider than my warp to make sure there aren't any warp ends coming off the edges. There are also a few selvedge techniques you might want to try. First try adding in a floating selvedge - extra warp ends at the selvedge that are weighted and hang freely from the back beam. With industrial weaving we create a special weave for the selvedge to help with tension and bowing. Obviously you can't do that on a shaft loom, but you can try threading the selvedges differently - 1,1,2,2,3,3 will give you a similar result. 

Sun, 07/14/2013 - 00:17

yarncrazy

  • All - thank you for the suggestions, they worked great!
  • I'm very happy to tell you that my project looks much better and the back beam is not getting tight on the edges.
  • It's still not quite perfect on the left side as my tie on knot came
  • untied and I had to re tie it, I'll watch that next time. It's a relief to have
  • the middle section fairly straight now.
  • I'm using 8/4 carpet warp and plain weave for this project.
  • http://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/?ui=2&ik=2ef8fa2fb5&view=att&th=13fda64414845a9f&attid=0.1&disp=inline&safe=1&zw&saduie=AG9B_P-uzGV5J7xBoMIIDJ9fFJwx&sadet=1373760049198&sads=DX3Am_Tx-rc2K0VrgqX1UpCjbzs
Sun, 07/14/2013 - 04:07

Vennui (not verified)

Tying from the middle is excellent advice. Be sure to angle your weft going across . That seems to help keep your edges straight .