Big plans lead to bigger plans

A while back I had, to borrow a phrase from Francis, a burning desire. In my case, a burning desire to weave towels again. Three years ago I packed up my studio, literally lock, stock and barrel, and donated it to a non-profit in Cleveland.

Well, I'd just find a loom and equipment to rent, and carry on. You probably see where this is going. First, there is nothing in town to rent. I called a weaver friend from long, long ago. Becky could lend me a loom, a warping board, stuff to wind a warp.

Becky chains her warp and winds it on. My last chained warp, complete with pourri cross, probably was 1985. Like riding a bicycle, eh? Laura and I went to Becky's. The plan was to make chains, come back another time to dress the loom, and weave at Becky's.

It took an hour to complete the first of eleven chains of forty threads, seven yards. I didn't even make it; I couldn't stand and work. Laura moved right in and began winding. She made the first, chained it and began the second. Then we loaded the loom in the car, together with a bare amount of tools, and headed home.

That's the entire back story.

Laura winding a warp chain.

Perfect pourri cross. This keeps threads in order.

440 threads assembled on lease sticks, and cat proofed for the night. We also closed the door.

I spent the morning watching YouTube instructions for chain warping, front to back. Then I went to play cards. I came back and started putting the warp through the reed, after stopping on the way home to buy masking tape.

I completed three sections, and quit. I believe I can thread the remaining eight and start threading heddles tomorrow. By Wednesday I should be able to finish winding the warp onto the back beam.

This is why sectional warping exists. I have a lead on a LeClerc with a sectional beam. It's a jack loom, not counterbalance. But, it has a sectional already installed. 

Tomorrow I will call Leesburg Loom and see if they can build me a forty peg warping tree. If yes, I will purchase forty warping bobbins and an electric bobbin winder. And the LeClerc loom with the sectional beam.

My shuttle came today. The weaving bobbins probably will come tomorrow. How about my spool holder! I took it to cards this afternoon, and Greg said Sure, he can make a real one, a half inch dowel stuck in a foot square, flat base.

Towel weft came today, too. Each spool is a pound, and good for about a dozen towels apiece. Unfortunately, the chain warp is maxed out at seven yards, or six towels. I'm a pretty bad sport about doing easy things the hard way. I'm sure by noon I will own a forty pin warping tree and a LeClerc jack loom.