How to Weave on an Eight-Shaft Loom
Having eight shafts on your loom rather than the usual four expands greatly the complexity of the weave structures you can execute. Theoretically, 254 different shed combinations are possible, but since there are usually only 10-12 treadles, you are limited to 10-12 different sheds. Still, within this number a great many beautiful weave structures can be found. Weaving on an eight-shaft loom is not that different from weaving on a four shaft loom; it's just that there is more skill required in keeping track of the treadling order.
Instructions
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1
Wind a warp on the warping board, making a figure-eight cross at one end. Tie off the warp at one-yard intervals. Take the warp off the warping board and bring it to the loom.
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2
Pre-sley the reed by pulling four warp ends through every fourth dent in the reed. (If you plan to sley two ends per dent for the final sleying, pull the four ends through every other dent.) Put the reed in the beater and wind it on to the back beam of the loom, inserting paper or sticks as spacers as you wind.
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3
Thread the loom to the eight-shaft threading pattern of your choice. There are many books of eight-harness patterns available. Sley the reed at the desired final sett. Tie the front of the warp to the front apron rod. Tighten the warp.
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4
Tie up the treadles to the shafts in the configuration required by your eight-shaft draft. Wind a bobbin with the weft yarn. Follow the treadling order in the draft beginning at the top and reading downwards. Continue to weave, advancing the warp periodically, until the warp can not be advanced any further.
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5
Cut the warp behind the heddles. Pull the fabric off the cloth beam in front and cut it off. Zigzag the weft edges at the beginning and the end, or tie the warp ends in knots to secure the weft. Wash and dry the fabric in the same way that you intend to wash the finished clothing or object.
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References
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