Ask Madelyn


Ask Madelyn: Jack Looms and Counterbalance Looms

I weave with a jack-type loom (rising shed).  I have never found a good description of the difference between counterbalance looms, countermarch looms and a sinking-shed lack loom (Louet's David loom is described as a "sinking shed jack loom").

Ask Madelyn: Limits to Warp Length

Here at the Weavers' School, we put on warps (mostly on Baby Wolfs) that are about 30 yd long. We could probably fit close to 40 yd warp length on these looms.

Ask Madelyn: Name Drafts

What is a name draft and how are they used?

Ask Madelyn: Using Tie-ups on Table Looms

How do you translate the tie-ups in a block weave pattern to use on a table loom?

Ask Madelyn: Choosing Yarns for Overshot

Usually, overshot is woven with a warp and tabby weft of the same size and a pattern weft that is two to three times heavier/thicker than the warp and tabby weft.

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?