Ask Madelyn


Ask Madelyn: Sampling for a Wide Warp

If you weave a sample at 10" width and then weave the fabric at 30" width, you are going to have to up the acceleration to get the same weft density. In cases where you are trying for a dense weft sett, sometimes this can't be done.

Ask Madelyn: Having Trouble with Sheds

I have a 4-shaft Nilus Leclerc loom. My current warp is 23" wide and I am having trouble with the sheds. I have to work to get the shuttle through them.

Ask Madelyn: Formula for Changing the Sett of a Warp

Is there a mathematical formula to use when you are changing the sett of a warp that has already been sleyed in the reed?

Ask Madelyn: Ladder Hemstitching Handwovens

What is the best yarn to use as a spacer for ladder hemstitching? And how do you make sure you don't catch it with the needle while you're working?

Ask Madelyn: Why Use a Temple?

Is weaving with temples more time consuming because you have to keep advancing the temple? and does using one create a straight selvedge?

Ask Madelyn: What is the Actual Definition of a Gamp?

The word “gamp” comes from a slang term for “umbrella.” In weaving a gamp is a fun and interesting way to study weave structures, or color interaction, or both!

Ask Madelyn: Broken Warp Threads Throughout Weaving

Broken warp threads at the edges aren't usually a problem for me. When they do occur, I understand that the breakage is probably due to draw-in.

Ask Madelyn: Master Yarn Chart Setts

Weaving master Madelyn answers a question about a master yarn chart sett and warping a loom in this helpful weaving article.

Ask Madelyn: Pearl vs. Unmercerized Cotton: What's the Difference?

The types of cotton yarn most often used in weaving are 10/2 pearl cotton and 8/2 unmercerized cotton. What's the difference between pearl and unmercerized?

Ask Madelyn: How to Warp a Loom for an Overshot Rug

Is there a reason for warping an overshot rug front to back, rather than back-to-front warping? How do you decide how to warp a loom for a given project?