How to Build a Weaving Loom
A simple weaving loom is surprisingly easy to construct, allowing you to try out weaving or introduce a beginner to this age-old craft easily and inexpensively. This type of loom is referred to as a frame loom and can be used by children and adults to create flat, small woven pieces. These most basic of looms anchor weaving threads or yarns, allowing you to warp the loom, then weave the weft threads into place. Use your small frame loom to weave projects such as mats, coasters or accents to other projects.
Things You'll Need
- 1-inch-by-2-inch lumber
- 1/4-inch-by-2-inch-by-12-inch board
- Wooden lathe
- Sandpaper
- Wood glue
- Clamps
- Hammer and nails
- Drill and bits
- String
Instructions
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Have your local home improvement center cut a 1-inch-by-2-inch-by-8-foot board to size. Cut two 14-inch lengths, then two 34-inch lengths. Use a circular saw at home if you prefer to cut your own lumber for your weaving loom.
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2
Sand the wood smooth. Finish the wood pieces of your frame loom with stain and sealer if desired, however, this is not essential.
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3
Glue and clamp the boards together at the corners. Nail the four sanded boards together at the corners, using two or three nails to secure each corner into place for additional security.
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Round and sand the edges of the 1/4-inch-thick board to form a weaving sword or pick-up stick. Create a gentle point on the end. Be sure that the wood you choose for this is quite inflexible. Look in your craft store for a ready-made wood form that will work for this purpose.
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Take a wood lathe and drill holes near each end. Sand the lathe smooth to form a shed stick for your loom.
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Sand a 1/2-inch dowel rod to use as a heddle for your frame loom.
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Warp and assemble your loom. Wrap weaving thread or yarn around the length of the loom, forming a section approximately 6 inches wide. Thread the shed stick through the natural separation in the warp threads and tie loosely into place onto the verticals of the frame. Make string loops for each of the lower warp threads. Slide the loops under these threads, then run the dowel rod heddle bar through the loops. Use your shed and heddle to easily manipulate the weaving threads on your simple weaving loom.
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