Weaving

Plain weave with a thick weft and thin warp.

Weaving is a method of textile production in which two distinct sets of yarns or threads are interlaced at right angles to form a fabric or cloth. The longitudinal threads are called the warp and the lateral threads are the weft, woof, or filling. The method in which these threads are interwoven affects the characteristics of the cloth. Cloth is usually woven on a loom, a device that holds warp threads in place while filling threads are woven through them. A fabric band that meets this definition of cloth (warp threads with a weft thread winding between) can also be made using other methods, including tablet weaving, backstrap loom, or other techniques that can be done without looms.

The way the warp and filling threads interlace with each other is called the weave. The majority of woven products are created with one of three basic weaves: plain weave, satin weave, or twill weave. Woven cloth can be plain or classic (in one colour or a simple pattern), or can be woven in decorative or artistic design.

Handweaving Course Outline

This course is structured so that a student can begin weaving with only simple household items, then progress through using more complex tools and weave structures. If the student has a more complex loom, they should do Unit 1, then move to the unit for the tool that they have. There will be incremental education of weave structures, finishing techniques, etc. in each unit, so the student should read through each one, even if they don't do all the exercises.

Unit 1: The Basics, Weaving on an Improvised Cardboard Loom

1. Theory

2. Materials

3. Warping

4. Weaving

5. Finishing

Weaving on a backstrap loom with a rigid heddle.

Unit 2: Plain Weave on a Backstrap Loom

1. Theory

2. Materials

3. Winding the Warp

4. Setting up the Loom

5. Weaving

6. Finishing (Simple and Braided Fringe)

Unit 3: Beyond Tabby: Pick-up Bandweaving

1. Theory

2. Setting up the Loom

3. Weaving

4. Finishing (Twisted Fringe)

Unit 4: Weaving on a Rigid Heddle Loom: Mixed-warp Scarf

1. Theory

2. Materials

3. Warping

4. Weaving

5. Correcting Mistakes

5. Finishing (Hemstitch)

Unit 5: Multi-shaft Weaving 1: Plain Weave

1. Theory

2. Loom Types

3. Winding the Warp

A broken twill being woven on a multi-shaft hand loom with a fly shuttle. The warp is white and the weft is red. The weaver is using a temple to regulate the width of the fabric.

4. Warping Front to Back

5. Tie-up

6. Weaving

7. Finishing On Loom

8. Finishing Off Loom

Unit 6: Multi-shaft Weaving 2: Twill Cotton/Linen Towels

1. Theory

2. Warping Back to Front

3. Weaving

4. Finishing

Unit 7: Fiber Types

1. Overview

2. Cotton

3. Linen

4. Other Plant Fibers: Raime, Nettle, etc.

5. Wool 1: Longwools + Mohair

6. Wool 2: Medium wools + Double-coated

7. Wool 3: Finewools

8. Wool 3: Down wools + others

9. Alpaca/Camalids

10: Down fibers: Cashmere, Quiviut, etc.

11: Other Animal Fibers

12. Silk

13: Semi-synthetics

14: Polyester + Acrylic

15: Nylon + Elastic Fibers

16: Other

Blanket Weavers

A Navajo Blanket Weaver is shown actively weaving. Credit: Unknown.{{free media}}

In the image on the right, the weaver is passing weft through warp yarns on the loom.

Thermals

Navajo woman's fancy manta, wool, ca. 1850-1865, worn as a blanket or a wrap-around dress. Credit: Arizona State Museum.

Def. a "heavy, loosely woven fabric, usually large and woollen, used for warmth while sleeping or resting" is called a blanket.

The blanket on the left is a Navajo woman's fancy manta, wool, ca. 1850-1865, worn as a blanket or a wrap-around dress.

19th Century

Main resources: History/19th Century and 19th Century

A Navajo blanket was made circa 1880. Credit: Unknown Navajo weaver, pre-1889.

"This blanket [in the image centered] was woven at the end of the "wearing blanket era," just as the railroad came into the Southwest in 1881. The heavier handspun yarns and synthetic dyes are typical of pieces made during the transition from blanket weaving to rug weaving."-Ann Hedlund, Arizona State Museum.

See also

• Topic:Textile engineering
• Textile
• w:Textile manufacturing
• w:Weaving
• w:Textile
• w:Power loom
• w:Loom