I am interested in knowing about temples.  I understand that they help keep your warp width consistant, and therefore help you have nice even selvages, but what I don't know is do you order them for the size of your loom or the size of your project.  Could you use a 22" temple on an 18" warp?  If I were doing the doubleweave would I use 2 temples?

Thanks in advance for your answers and expertise.

Peggy in Utah

Comments

Fri, 11/20/2009 - 00:55

claudia (not verified)

Hey Peg,

Most temples are adjustable.  I have one that when completely open is about 32".  I bought it because my loom is 40" and most of the rugs I make are about 32-36" and the temple adjust down to about 26".  All these numbers are being offered without going downstairs to the studio and actually measuring.

I have only used my temple on items with high tension, like linen and rugs.  I have never used it on a scarf or shawl, that's just me.  I hope others will weigh in with their experience.

Claudia

Sat, 11/21/2009 - 13:31

pegofmyheart (not verified)

Thanks Claudia for your knowledge and experience.  I've never even seen one, other than pictures on the internet.  I wondered if it would be a good accessory to have on hand.

Sat, 11/21/2009 - 17:24

Joanne Hall

Hi Peg and Claudia,

On our website I have a weaving FAQ which answers questions about temples. 

http://www.glimakrausa.com/faq.html

Click on weaving, temples

This is brief, but it explains how the temple works.  I also have a one page instruction sheet with diagrams which I can send if you send me your email address.

Joanne

Mon, 11/23/2009 - 15:51

SteveL (not verified)

On the next wide weaving project I will experiment with some home made "temples".  I've purchased from my local Home Depot a pair of plastic tarp clamps very similar to :

http://www.amazon.com/Scotty-Tarp-Clip-Black-pack/dp/B001M4HTB6

The clips cost something like $1.50 each.

To use, clip inside the selvedge on both sides just back from the fell line - same position you would place a conventional temple.  Attach a string to each of the clamps and lead sideways right and left over the sides of your loom.  Attach some sort of weights to each of the string ends to create an outward pull.

This idea is not original - I think I saw a picture in a recent edition of Handwoven.

Advantages:
- super cheap
- fits a project of any width (no need for several different sizes)

Disadvantages:
- will require experimentation to get the right weights
- likely fussy
- and, like conventional temples, these "fell clamps" will have to be moved every inch or so of weaving

Unknowns:
- damage clamp will do to work (although conventional temples have sharp points to impale your work, too)
- effectiveness:  conventional temples will provide a fixed width at the fell line once locked into place.  In our "fell clamps" the outward pull is controlled by weight and is free to move inward.

Just wanted to pass along a simple idea...

Steve

Tue, 11/24/2009 - 00:29

Caroline (not verified)

I've used a paperclip on string tied to the side of the loom, and it seems to work quite well.

Tue, 11/24/2009 - 19:47

pegofmyheart (not verified)

Thank you everyone for your ideas.  I'm going to have to play with some of these ideas and see how they work for me.  Cheap and easy is always a factor.

Thanks again,

Peggy in Utah