WEAVING ON A FRAME LOOM
Weaving technique can be used to make many functional and decorative items such as clothes, mats and wall hangings
Weaving is the process by which fabric is made
Weaving is also the process of interlacing two sets of threads known as warps and weft
The warps are the threads that are stretched or fixed on a loom during the weaving process
These threads for the framework of the woven item
The wefts are the threads interlaced over and under the wrap
When weaving the weft can be interlaced over the wrap in various ways to form different weave structures
A loom is a device used in weaving
Weave Structure
A weave structure is described by how the wrap and weft threads interlace.
There are many possibilities of interlacing the weft over warp thread
The weft may interlace over one and under one warp when weaving
This type of weave structure is known as plain weave, simple weave or 1/1 weave
The weft can also interlace over two and under two warp (2/2), over one and under three (½) and many other ways
Twill weave (2/2)
A twill weave is a weave structure where diagonal lines are created on the woven item
In a 2/2 twill weave the weft interlace over two then under two wraps and also creates diagonal lines on the weave item.
A weave structure can be represented in a diagram format showing the weft and wrap interlace
When representing a weave structure in a diagram, the shade areas represent the areas where the weft interlaced over the warp
The unshaded areas represented where the weft goes under the warp
The diagram above show 2/2 twill weave, the row 1 shows that the weft interlaces over 2 then under 2 over 2, under 2 and over 2
LOOM
A loom is a device used for weaving.
It is spread and hold the warp threads firmly in place making it easier to interlace the weft over the warp
This helps spread up the weaving process
There are many types of looms
Dowel looms
Frame loom
Functions of a Loom
Stretching and holding the warp firmly during weaving
Making it easier for interlacing the weft over the warp
Enabling the weaver in detecting and avoiding creating defects when weaving
Making a frame loom using mitre joint
A frame loom is made from four pieces of timber nailed into two opposite sides of the frame
Rows of nails are then fixed at the opposite sides of the frame
The nails are placed in such a way that at least ½cm is left sticking out
Materials and tools need to make a frame loom
Nails
Four pieces of timber
Saw
Sandpaper
Wood glue
Ruler or meter rule
Pencil
Tri square or protractor
Pupil’s activity
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Procedure of making a frame loom
Measure and cut two set of timber of the same thickness. Two can be 90cm long and the other two 30 cm long
Measure and mark each of the ends of the pieces of wood at an angle of 45º
Using a saw, cut along the lines drawn at angle of 45º
Check that the joints are aligned properly and frame has 90º angles by trying to assemble the pieces of timber
Apply wood glue on the joints and join the pieces of wood
Use a hammer to fix small nails on the corners to make a mitre joint frame
Using a ruler and a pencil, measure and make marks ½cm apart on two opposite sides of the frame loom. Ensure that the markings on the two sides are aligned
Use a hammer to fix small nails on markings made. Make sure that the nails are fixed in such a way that about ½cm is sticking out from the wood. The row of nails should be fixed on two opposite sides of the frame loom
Weaving Materials
The materials for weaving a scarf using 2/2 twill should be flexible.
These materials can be bought or made by recycling old clothes and sweaters
Examples of weaving materials
Woolen, cotton or acrylic threads
Cut out strips of old clothes
Recycled threads from old sweaters
Pupil’s Activity
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Procedure of making weaving materials from old clothes and sweater
Identify old plain clothes
Cut the clothes into thin strips
Cut out strips
Knot the cut out pieces to form one long strip
Tools needed for weaving
Shuttle
A shuttle is a tool used in interlacing the weft over and under the warp
The weft thread is wound on the shuttle and then interlaced over under the warp.
A shuttle can be made from a wood, stiff paper or plastics.
A stick can also be used as a shuttle
Beater
Beater is a tool used for compacting weft threads when weaving
For this activity you may use a comb or an improvised cut out as a beater
Warping a frame loom
The process of fixing warp on a loom is known as warping
When warping it is important to make sure that the warp threads are fairly tight and of uniform tension
You can test the tension of the warp using the palm of your hands to feel for uniformity
Pupil’s Activity
Page 123
Tie the thread tightly on the first nail on i=one side of the loom
Pull the thread to the first nail on the opposite side of the loom, wind it around the second nail at the bottom. Continue until the warp covers the loom
Tie the thread on the last nail on the loom
Weaving using a frame loom
When weaving, it is important to maintain consistency of the wefts for your work to be neat
More than one colour of the weft can be used to make the woven item attractive
There are 4 basic steps in weaving using a frame loom. These are
Fixing warp threads on a loom. This process is know as warping the loom
It is important to ensure even tension of the threads during warping.
The tension and tightness of warp threads can be tested by feeling them with the palm of your hands during the warping process
If any warp thread feels loose then it should be undone and pulled tightly to be of the same tension as the rest
Interlace the weft threads over and under the warp according to the weave structure
Press the weft threads close together to compact them.
The process of compacting weft thread is known as beating. For this type of loom, the beating can be done using fingers or a comb.
Finishing
Pupil’s Activity
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Weaving Defects
Waisting
Waisting is a defect created when the weft is pulled too tightly during the weaving process
To prevent waisting, leave an allowance on the weft then interlacing the threads before beating each line
Sagging
Is a defect formed when the warps are loose with uneven tension
To prevent this defect, ensure that the wafts are tight and have uniform tension
The tension and tightness of warp threads can be tested by feeling them with the palm of your hands during the warping process
Finishing techniques
After removing the scarf from the loom, employ finishing techniques to make it more appealing and functional
Finishing a woven is essential for the following reasons
To prevent the treads from unraveling when removed from the loom
To make the woven article appealing and presentable
To make the woven work functional
KNOTTING
Start cutting the wraps yarn two loops at a time from the bottom of the frame giving you four threads
Tie these in a knot and leave a bit of loosely hanging threads known as a fridge, continue cutting and knotting two loops at a time until the whole edge is complete
Then repeat the same process for the upper side
TASSELING
A tassel is a hanging decoration used on a weave that is made up of a group of hanging threads held together at one end
Remove the weave from the loom. Cut the warps and tie them into loops and tie them into loops
Cut several threads of the same size
Put them together to create a loop
Put this loop through the loops in the scarf
Secure the loop by pulling
Insert the tassels. you can use different colours to make it more appealing
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