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I purchaased my 4 shaft, 6 pedal, 36" Artisat loom secondhand through 'The Loom Exchange' a few years ago. I have found it light
and pleasant to use and problem free once properly adjusted. (When purchased the heddles were too tight on shafts and shuttle race was assmbled back to front - not surprising as two curved surfaces did look as if they wished to mate!) I made one further modification, an extra inch of height to the back beam, to improve the geometry of the warp for its jack loom operation .
I have used the loom to weave cotton baby blankets, polyester lacy curtains, silk scarves, 'Hogwarts' scarves, linen runners, woollen
cushion covers, fabric for chair covers and clothing.
I use three spinning wheels and can highly recommend 'Joy' for carrying around. I create yarns from wool, (fleeces stored from my
own score of years keeping sheep) and silk (combed tops or mawata caps) I find the silk/wool combination works so well from all aspects; warmth, feel, washing, appearance etc.
I occasionally dye the fibres or yarn with natural materials in either a stainless steel bucket or a large thermos both of which give clear
unmuddy colours. The thermos is a particularly easy and low aroma method for small quantities. For health and environmental reasons I gave up home use of all mordants except alum some years ago. |
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Clockwise from top left;
Leclerc Artisat jack loom, Yarn corner, Ransome pine wheel,
Ashford Joy wheel, Jacky weaving, Joined shuttles for two thread weft. |
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Texere
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Ashford
Traditional
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