What Is a Loom?

To make a textile product, you need to weave together various pieces of yarn of thread. To do this, you need a loom. Looms are devices that can rage in both size and general shape or look. However they all have the same purpose: to make textiles. They also all work in the same general way. Some looms are handheld, while others are large factory pieces.

Threads

Looms are used to work together two different types of threads. These are the warp threads and the weft threads.

Thread Uses

Warp threads are held taut in a vertical direction on the loom. The weft threads are the ones that are maneuvered throughout the warp threads to weave the two together.

Function

After the warp threads are pulled tight, the weft thread is woven via the shuttle part of the loom. After each pass of the shuttle, a comb-like reed pushes the woven part together with previous woven areas to create a tight fabric.

Handlooms

Handlooms were the first types of looms ever made. They are generally small and the processes need to be done by hand.

Power Looms

Power looms were invented in the late 1700s. Everything is done automatically, though a person sets up the threads in the loom and makes sure there are no miswoven threads.