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Monday, June 21, 2010

Weighted Warps Need the Center Spring

There is so much to share about my weaving techniques. I can't offer every means I use to weave beads on a loom, but let me share this one.

The 'Weighted Warp' method can be set up to use on any 'vertical' style loom. I chose the Mirrix Loom because of some accessories they offer which help to make this easy (including a center spring to hold the weighted warps steady). The Loom is set up as standard directions denote, warping only those warps, which will be stationary and not used for 'increase or decreasing'. Therefore, count the number of beads you will be using for the 'movement in your beadwork'. My example has 'four' beads, on each loom edge, which will be creating an 'indent'. These four warps will need to be 'moveable', so I will thread these warps using 'weights' to hold them down, but allow them to be moved, as shown in the picture below.

The spring you see, in the upper portion of this photograph, is an additional spring to 'center' the weighted warps. A thin rod is then placed inside the spring, in front of the warps, to hold them in line, while the lower weighted warps move up to accommodate the pattern.

Now that the loom is strung with the correct number of warps, and the proper number of weighted warps, begin weaving the 'longest' row of beads, shown in your pattern. This row will be your constant, holding your rows together.

To indent, add your next row of beads. When you return the needle through that same row, as you do with every woven row, be sure to 'loop' the weft around the end warp, grabbing it to pull 'inward' towards the last bead on your row.

Because your four outside warps are weighted and not attached to the base of the loom, as the other warps are secured, this warp will be flexible to move inward as needed. Continue to decrease your row of beads, and continue to loop around the necessary weighted warps to pull them inwards.



You will notice the weighted warps starting to move upward towards your weaving. They will eventually pass the lower spring, but the 'center spring secured with a rod' will not allow you to loose their alignments.

Your rows can be indented as far as your pattern suggests. These can even be increased back to the original number of beads in a row.

Because I have weighted warps on each side of my woven warps, I can increase and decrease on each side of the beadwork. I am creating a full pattern of wavy edges. When these are completed, I will share how I edge these to complete the look and structure of this method.

There is much more to weave, to complete this cuff, but I'll share more as I progress. This pattern will have multiple indents and increases, before it is complete!
Copyright: MCN:EDHK5-HUVWN-ML5XS

12 comments:

  1. Wow. Wow. Wow. I am not usually this speechless. You have just opened up a whole new world of bead weaving. It must be a lot of fun inside your head. Claudia

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  2. Thanks Claudia! I have so many more ways to show how looming can be the best means of bead weaving, but have to hold back for a book to be published! Wait till I share a way to end warps that will blow this entire looming method out the door! LOL!

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  3. Erin, I'm trying to wait patiently...but it's hard to do. Thanks so much for sharing this technique.

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  4. Karen, no one feels more tied up then me! I see looming going on with not being able to open my mouth and make it easier!

    Will the publishers I have contacted, please get back to me soon! We have tons of looming that needs to get finished!

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  5. Thank you so much! This is so fascinating!

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  6. Another aspect of beadweaving that you can weave your magic on - I can't wait to see what you do!

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  7. That is so cool!!!! Y'know, you could make beaded lace that way . . . hint hint hint. :very evil grin:

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  8. WOW!! The 'Simonetti Method' goes global!!! Erin, you really have something amazing here, I just can't wait to see the results with this wavy edged cuff. Fantastic!

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  9. Erin, once again you simply amaze me with the things you can do with those teeny tiny bits of glass.

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  10. Gosh Erin:
    I need to get a loom. This is so darn interesting.

    Can you suggest an inexpensive one, I'm guessing the ones at Walmart and Michael's
    are not what I need.

    Hugs, Margie (floridacoqui)

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  11. Hi Margie! I usually suggest a loom from 'www.beadslooms.com' because they are very sturdy, have a bottom plate to hold beads and are in the 'medium' price range. Of course, you should surely first consider what you will be looming. For instance, you don't need a 'belt loom' if you are going to loom bracelets (too much thread waste).

    However, if you want to make something with the 'weighted warp method', then you'll need to look for a loom that has sides too. This is how the 'center spring' is hung with a rod inside to keep the warps from lifting out. Maybe any loom will work if you can nail some side rails! That's a thought!

    If you need any personal direction, please ask me. I'd love to help!

    Glad you are following, Margie!

    Erin

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  12. I have so many design possibilities going through my mind after reading this! What creativity you have, Erin!

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