Greetings,

Anyone have any specialized loom desgins out there for the up and over technique?  Also interested to see various methods for this.

cheers, April

Comments

Sun, 01/22/2012 - 23:25

bolivian warmi

I have done some Navajo-style weaving so I am curious. I don't know what you mean by the "up and over" technique and I would love to know. Do you have a link to an example picture perhaps...is it raised outline?

Mon, 01/23/2012 - 02:24

francorios (not verified)

 

 

 

Up and over technique describes a method of weaving a piece that is longer than the length of the loom by going up and over the top beam and under the bottom beam. Since the hems are lashed to the beams, the warp is made longer than the top and bottom So a stout and smooth top and bottom beam is needed to support the warp without deflection. Tension is applied by tying the two hem beams together with the zig-zag tie technique often seen in regular Navajo frame weaving. I hope my little picture is sufficient illustration. I could not find a picture online of a "up and over" in progress. The warp is advanced by loosening the warp and sliding the warp up or down. Then the warp is tightened again. Have a good day!
Mon, 01/23/2012 - 15:02

bolivian warmi

Thanks Franco. The pictures are great! Now I see that I didn't read the original request properly. Argyarn says "loom" designs and I was thinking designs as in woven patterns.

I am sure that I could have done that on the Navajo loom I had in Chile. I used thick copper pipe for the beams and they could have taken it. However, at the time I was pretty happy with the 3-4 feet of length I was getting on it.

 

Mon, 01/23/2012 - 16:35

Sara von Tresckow

The navajo up and over is not what Franco has pictured. What is shown is the continuous warp where the piece is moved around the top and bottom beam - will weave many types of fabric, but NOT the 4-selvage Navajo technique.

I'm in the process of placing a warp on a newly built loom and will post again later with the variation that is used for Navajo 4-selvage pieces.

Mon, 01/23/2012 - 17:48

francorios (not verified)

Sara, You are not viewing the drawing correctly. Use a little more imagination. What is intended is to show a 4 selvedge piece tied over a loom. The left side drawing intends to show the gap between the two ends of the piece with sort of a zig zag rope tie to pull the two pieces together. The middle would show the path over and under the two beams with a gap. The right side shows how the piece covers the full face of that side of the loom. It's a primitive drawing. But if Laverne knew what I meant, that's all I need to convey. We all look forward to seeing any pictures you can provide. Have a joyful day.
Mon, 01/23/2012 - 19:33

Sara von Tresckow

Franco, your drawing is incorect - any of Noel Bennet's books on Navajo weaving contain clear diagrams of how it works. You are picturing another type of warping method used to make pieces longer than the loom, but not what was asked for.

Mon, 01/23/2012 - 19:33

Sara von Tresckow

Franco, your drawing is incorect - any of Noel Bennet's books on Navajo weaving contain clear diagrams of how it works. You are picturing another type of warping method used to make pieces longer than the loom, but not what was asked for.

Mon, 01/23/2012 - 20:27

Sara von Tresckow

Here is a photo of a large Navajo loom that allows the traditional up and over (or for that matter, down and under) method. Note that there are several holes in the frame which is deeper than the usual simple wood frame. The Warp (mounted on 2 dowels or pipes and attached to a third dowel that connects to the loom is attached first on the lower metal pipe (A). For the long warp, the warp package is now is put over the pipe at the top of the frame (C) and tied to pipe B. Tension is applied at pipe B using thick cord or turnbuckles. There is NO connection between A and B. When the rug has progressed sufficiently,  pipe B will be put into a hole that loosens the tension on the warp. Then pipe A will be moved to a hole in the back, winding around a 4th pipe to be inserted in the hole where A now resides.

We now have the equivalent of a breast and back beam on this loom where the warp and woven piece move to allow the weaver to work at a convenient height as well as allowing for pieces longer than the loom is tall.

It is also possible when working on a piece that is nearly as tall as the loom that the piece can be lowered around that extra pipe at the bottom to keep the working height at a comfortable level.

Look in any books about Navajo weaving and you'll see plenty of examples. The original question was about building a loom to use this technique - you need to use a similar style to the one pictured (could also be smaller). I do not know of any plans. This loom was developed from the loom pictured on p. 105 of "Woven Spirit of the Southwest" at the Hubbell Trading Post - with feet longer than pictured at the recommendation of Sarah Natani. The bok shows a few other looms with various placement of holes for up and over weaving as well as showing how the weavers are using them. Rachel Brown in "Weaving, Spinning and D yeing" has similar drawings and explanations for the up and over model. Noel Bennett has written several titles about Navajo weaving and has a nice drawing of a loom with up and over warping in all of them.

This is a bit different from simple looms pictured in general weaving books and the loom builder needs to know pretty exactly how this technique works. We are just getting reaty to mount a warp on this loom - and will add photos when completed.

Mon, 01/23/2012 - 23:12

francorios (not verified)

Thank you Sara, I stand corrected. EDITED TO ADD-> I humbly apologize. I look forward to seeing how the arrangement works. Thank you for referencing your sources. That will be helpful to April in planning her loom. Have a good day! Franco Rios
Mon, 01/23/2012 - 21:45

argyarn (not verified)

Franco and Sara for your input and help.  I'm dying to do a large piece in the tiny space I have.  Your input is much appreciated.  I promise to post pictures.

best, April

Group Audience
Navajo Weaving Techniques