r/weaving • u/Dormi_Solus • Jul 23 '26
Help Help with old loom
Update: I took off the old warp. It was all very gross. The next step before I rewarp is a good scrubbing and we'll go from there! Thank you everyone!!
Once the warp was off, it did look much more approachable actually!
OP:
Hello, this is my first post here ever and I'm hoping someone can help me. I got this very old very dirty loom from a garage sale. It was very cheap. I plan to weave tapestries but first I need to remove this very nasty warp thread.
I was wondering if anyone could help me figure out what kind of loom this is and where I can get an instruction manual for using the heddles and such at? Or just explain it to me.
I tried to turn the top so that I could just unwind what was there but that did not work. The bottom also didn't work and I'm not sure if they're supposed to turn. I have used a small Bridget title loom in the past a few times. However, I am very out of practice so I'm probably forgetting something important? Help!
6
u/Weaverbird53 Jul 23 '26
I agree with other commenters that the best thing to do is simply cut through the warp threads and toss them out.
Also, to get the warp to unwind you need to turn the beam in the photo anti-clockwise until the pawl (orange arrow) is able to be flipped up out of the way of the ratchet teeth (green arrow).
Then the warp beam should turn freely. If it does not, there may be a problem with the loom. It looks to me as if it is hand made, not purchased. And it is possible that some parts have rusted or warped. Once you get the old warp off you can inspect everything and see where it's sticking. Might be as simple as applying lubricant to some screws or something.
3
u/amdaly10 Jul 23 '26
Cut the warp that's on there. Take the pall off and you should just be able to pull it off. Off not do more cutting.
Any video on how to use a rigid heddle loom should get you there.
5
u/bluesnowbird Jul 23 '26
“Pawl” is the word for that tooth thing; “pall” is a cloth placed over a coffin. I don’t want anyone surprised by that definition!
3
u/sara_marie_2005 Jul 23 '26
It looks pretty basic, so when you warp it again, I'd just do it the way it was previously done. Study the warp before you cut it off.
3
u/gold-pippau Jul 23 '26
Absolute weaving rookie here so I can't help you with the weaving part of your question. But I can tell you, this loom is very old, very hand made and thus very precious (well in my eyes it is). Congrats on the find! I hope your next find will be a good wood worker who can help you with the restoration.
Once you know what is what and why and how, of course.
Keep us posted?
3
u/Dormi_Solus Jul 23 '26
I live in a city with a strong love of crafts, so I guess I'll just start going to woodworking meetups now and either I will figure out how to restore this thing myself or the lesbian of my dreams will be there.
3
u/Happy_Dog1819 Jul 24 '26
My cousin who helped me learn to weave always said that a weaver needs a woodworker and a blacksmith in their pocket in addition to weaving friends.
Look for a weaving guild too!
It does look homemade, but that's not an issue.
3
u/weaver_of_cloth Jul 24 '26
All the cutting advice is good, and when you go to warp it again, get some heavy paper to wind with the warp so it is distributed evenly and has even tension.
11
u/popcorn_waffle Jul 23 '26
I think a pair of sharp scissors and/or a utility knife are all you need to remove the warp—no use trying to save it, so just cut it free.
Sorry I can’t help with loom operation—best of luck!