How to Warp a Sectional Loom
A loom with a sectional beam on the back is easier and faster in some ways to warp than a loom with a regular beam. The beam is divided into one or two inch sections with metal loops that separate each section of the warp from its neighboring sections. The weaver winds each section separately from the back, rather than having an assistant hold the entire warp under tension while she winds it on. If you work without an assistant, sectional warping makes a lot of sense.
Things You'll Need
- Loom with sectional back beam
- Spool rack
- Counter
- Tension box
- Threading hook
- Dividers
Instructions
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1
Calculate the number of ends per inch for your warp and its length and width. You need these numbers to figure out how much yarn to wind onto each spool. If you have, say, 24 ends per inch, you will need 24 spools on the spool rack. If your warp is 5 yards long and 30 inches wide, you will need 5 x 30 = 150 on each spool. Wind the spools using the counter to measure the amount of warp on each spool.
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Put the spools in the spool rack. Thread the warp ends through the reed in the tension box. Arrange the warp ends over and under the pegs in the tension box; this is what tensions the warp as it winds on. The tension box should be attached to the back of the loom or a firm object near the back of the loom. Attach the counter to the tension box so that it can measure the warp bundle as it winds on. Wind on one inch worth of warp (for example, 24 warp ends if your set is 24 ends per inch). Put a divider between the layers of warp every so often.
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3
Repeat this process of winding one inch of warp width at a time using the spool rack, the counter and the tension box across the width of the warp until all the sections are filled. The warp ends should be hanging down in front of the back beam. Hang the harnesses with the heddles in the loom if they're not already there. Thread the loom to the desired threading pattern.
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4
Hang the beater and reed in the loom. Sley the reed by pulling one or two warp ends through each dent in the reed, according to your set. For example if you have 24 ends per inch and a 12-dent reed, there will be two ends in each dent. Bring the apron rod over the breast beam at the front of the loom. Take two inches worth of warp ends and tie them to the apron rod at the front of the loom. Tighten the tension one notch. Tie another bundle of warp ends to the apron rod. Tighten another notch. Continue across the width of the warp, tying all the warp ends to the apron rod. Now you are ready to weave.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
