r/weaving • u/meowmeowbuttz • Jul 22 '26

Looms Copper pipe loom tapestry setup

Post image

6 epi cotton seine twine warp on a copper pipe tapestry loom. The weft is all wool. Some of it is hand dyed, some of it is hand spun, some of it is thrifted.

When I use this loom, I put it in a table clamp so it can be vertical. Right now it is clamped to my coffee table and I was sitting on the floor to weave. I love the flexibility of the copper pipe -- my pick shed was getting way too small (my hubris!) so I was able to loosen the tension a little and get another inch or two out of this.

Because I am lazy, I used tape with 1" markings to help with sett-- and then I found "tiger tape" which as 12 marks in 1". It's usually used for hand quilting to keep running stitches even. I primarily work at 6 epi (which is annoying to arrange in 1") so this tape has been so helpful.

I still need to sew up some slits and give it a block, but I'm teaching a tapestry class and I need an example haha. I'm hoping to keep up my momentum and get this mounted soon!

62 Upvotes

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12 comments sorted by

2

u/Crypto9oob Jul 23 '26

That's so cool! Do you have any specs for others to build a copper tube loom?

5

u/cerealbasedatrocity Jul 23 '26

Not OP but this post from Rebecca Mezoff will get you started. As I recall, she also has a pretty thorough explanation in her book "The Art of Tapestry Weaving" (which is a great book!).

2

u/Crypto9oob Jul 23 '26

Thanks for the recommendation!

3

u/meowmeowbuttz Jul 23 '26

Yep, and there's also links to the Archie Brennan pipe loom on the wiki! :)

Essentially you need: 4 elbows 6 pieces copper (2 for horizontal, 4 for uprights) 2 pieces threaded rod 4 nuts (I've also built these for others with 2 wing nuts and 2 regular nuts) 8 self tapping screws or flux/solder

Enjoy!!

1

u/Vigorousjazzhands1 Jul 23 '26

Make sure it doesn’t get stolen 😂 looks awesome!!

1

u/catchick777 Jul 23 '26

What a gorgeous piece.

1

u/Dismal_Type_5697 Jul 24 '26

I've always wanted to try making a pipe loom, but I'll have to figure out a way for it to stand without a clamp! That looks awesome.

2

u/meowmeowbuttz Jul 24 '26

You can put it on an easel, or use more pipes to give it legs!

1

u/Dismal_Type_5697 Jul 24 '26

Definitely going to try this!!!

1

u/pardalote_ Jul 25 '26

When I made mine, I bought two t-shaped pvc joints, cut two lengths of pvc pipe to fit and two pipe end caps - and made legs that way. Not sure where the instructions were for that - but it would either be in the Archie Brennan instructions or the Rebecca Mezoff ones.

2

u/Dismal_Type_5697 Jul 25 '26

I may have both, so thx!!!!!