Any weaver should know their way around a reed. This week’s episode of A Handwoven Experience will help you do just that. My “Weaving Reed Compilation” features four videos that help explain what a reed is and how to use it. Happy weaving!

Weaving Reed Compilation

Show Notes

Reed Selection & Care: I found this installment of Tom Knisely’s “Notes from the Fell” column in Handwoven magazine very helpful. In this article, Tom shares tips for how to choose and care for your reeds. Check it out here.

Weaving Equipment Guides: the long list of weaving equipment can be daunting, especially for new weavers! That’s why I created two handy FREE resources to help get you started: a Weaving Equipment Guide and a guide to Parts of a Loom. Click here to learn more and request yours today!

Online Weavers’ Guild

Are you looking for a community of weavers who love weaving as much as you do? Look no further my friend! The Acton Creative Online Weaver’s Guild is a place where you can spend time with other weavers, share your weaving stories, trade tips, and learn a few things along the way. We meet once a month over Zoom, host an ongoing members-only chat so that we don’t lose touch in between meetings, take part in quarterly weaving challenges, and more. Click here for more details. We’re saving you a seat!

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I’ve been there friends, and in this episode of A Handwoven Experience I will walk you through some things to consider as you select the perfect reed and heddles for your loom. Happy weaving!

Show Notes –

Measuring heddles – I found a great visual for how to measure your heddles on the Eugene Textile Center website. So if you’d like more details to go with my brief explanation, simply click the link here to see more. 

Used Loom Buying Checklist – This episode directly ties into an earlier video focused on buying a used loom. If you didn’t catch it, I have it handy right here! 

AC Insiders –

Ready to take your weaving to the next level? Become an AC Insider today! Join the Resource Center tier for free weaving tips, Weave Along patterns, bonus Handwoven Experience episodes and discounts on Acton Creative classes.

Or become a member of the Online Weaver’s Guild and get access to monthly meetings, quarterly weaving challenges, and the support and friendship of a community of weavers.

Can’t pick just one? Join the Combo tier and do both! There’s something for everyone! Come join us at https://patreon.com/actoncreative

The post Buying Replacement Parts for Your Loom appeared first on Acton Creative.

You’ve been bitten by the weaving bug and have decided that your life is not complete without a loom in it. You find a used loom that peeks your interest. But before you seal the deal, you wonder: “How do I know if this loom is in good shape?”

I’ve got you, my friends! In this episode of A Handwoven Experience, I’ll walk you through a simple checklist that you can use to make sure any loom is ready for you to weave on it. There’s nothing better than creating fabric on a new-to-you loom! Happy weaving!

Show Notes –

Loom Maintenance – I found a great post on Warped Fibers all about taking care of your loom. I particularly appreciate the entire section on dealing with rust. It’s a great resource for any loom owner. Click here to read on. 

Loom-related Videos – Are you looking for more loom resources? Friends, I have you covered! Check out these episodes of A Handwoven Experience:

Ep. 24 All About Table Looms

Ep. 126 Identify Your Style of Loom

Ep. 151 Exploring My Jack Loom

Ep. 187 Rigid Heddle vs. Multi-Shaft Looms

Dress Your Loom Course

Now that you have a loom, are you ready to learn how to dress it? There’s still time to enroll in the July session of my Dress Your Loom class. This 6-week, online class will help you get your yarn off your shelf and onto your loom. I walk you through every step of the weaving process, from measuring your project to weaving and finishing. Click here for more information and to register. Hurry! Doors close on July 17th at 4PM CST!

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However, if you haven’t tried it yet, I have a few elements to watch for – the size of the reed, your extra heddles, and those sneaky warp yarns at the very edge of your project.

That’s exactly what I’m covering in this week’s A Handwoven Experience. Enjoy!

Show Notes –

World’s Widest Loom – Did you know that in 2005, a weaving company named Jurgens created a weaving loom that was 33.15 meters? That’s over 108 feet! Whew! I’m not sure exactly what would inspire you to make a 100+ foot wide loom. But, it sure is some fun trivia! Take a look at the other cool things Jurgens makes. 

All Wound Up – If you are just starting your weaving journey and are unsure what to use when winding the project on to the loom, I have an episode here to clear things right up! (Clear as mud, that is!) In this video, I talk about the debate between using sticks or using paper. And my answer is to use either one! Use whatever you have available and you are comfortable with. Check out the full episode right here. 

Acton Creative Insiders – 

Do you love all things Acton Creative? Want event more? I have just the thing! I’ve partnered with Patreon to bring you the Acton Creative Insiders! This monthly membership includes personal insights, weaving tips/tricks, and behind-the-scenes action! All we’re missing is you!  This link will take you right to the AC Insiders page where you can see more details and register today! I can’t wait to have you as part of the team!

The post Use the Entire Width appeared first on Acton Creative.

You only need to know 2 numbers to read the chart – the number of dents in your reed, and the ends per inch of your project. Once you plug those in, the chart will give you a sequence for sleying your reed so you have the appropriate number of warp yarns in each inch of the project. Voila! Easy enough!

Take a look at episode 83 to see how it all fits together.

Show Notes –

Jane Stafford’s Chart – I happen to love Jane Stafford’s Reed Substitution Chart and always keep it at the ready! If you don’t already have a chart you love, I recommend downloading Jane’s version. You can do that right here. Thank you, Jane!

Let’s talk about SETT! – Need a quick refresher on sett and how it applies to your project? No sweat! In episode 50, I broke down what sett means and why it’s important. Hopefully, it’ll clear up any questions you have so you can plan your project like an expert! Check out the video here. 

Acton Creative Insiders –

Do you love all things Acton Creative? Want event more? I have just the thing! I’ve partnered with Patreon to bring you the Acton Creative Insiders! This monthly membership includes personal insights, weaving tips/tricks, and behind-the-scenes action! All we’re missing is you!  This link will take you right to the AC Insiders page where you can see more details and register today! I can’t wait to have you as part of the team!

The post How to Read a Reed Substitution Chart appeared first on Acton Creative.

By considering 2 simple, straight-forward variables, you’ll become much more savvy when selecting which yarn to use as your warp yarn. And when you are smart about your warp yarns, the entire weaving experience becomes a lot more fun! A LOT!!

Check out episode 77 right here to learn about the factors that make up a great warp yarn.

Show Notes –

More information – I discovered a fabulous blog post from Weaver House that expands on the “how to pick a warp yarn” theme! She does a great job of walking you through the parameters for a warp yarn and taking it a step further, showcasing some great options. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Read the article right here. 

Buying yarn – If you are ready to purchase your warp yarn, but are hesitant to take the plunge, I have what you’re looking for! In episode 41, I walk you through the process of buying yarn online. I promise it is not so daunting once you know what you are looking at. Here is all the information, ready at your fingertips! 

Holiday Shopping!

It’s time, my friend! Time to ponder what to give the weaver in your life. Or if you’re the weaver? Time to start your wish list of goodies that would enhance your weaving experience. And I’m armed and ready with a comprehensive list of weaving tools and accessories that any weaver would love to have! Click here to check out the many, many options for this holiday season. Happy Shopping!

Acton Creative Insiders –

Do you love all things Acton Creative? Want event more? I have just the thing! I’ve partnered with Patreon to bring you the Acton Creative Insiders! This monthly membership includes personal insights, weaving tips/tricks, and behind-the-scenes action every single week! All we’re missing is you!  This link will take you right to the AC Insiders page where you can see more details and register today! I can’t wait to have you as part of the team!

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I firmly believe that weaving, just like life, isn’t going to be perfect. Therefore, we need a big picture view to determine where to spend our time and where to carry on. Check out episode 75 and let me know if you agree. Enjoy!

Show Notes –

A Sett Chart – Do you struggle with how to space your warp yarns? It can feel like a mystery! However, the fabulous Jane Stafford has a Master Sett Chart that does an amazing job of providing the information you need to make good decisions concerning how far apart to spread your warp yarns. Take a look at her marvelous chart right here.

The Reliable Reed – Back at episode 33, I did a deep dive into weaving reeds and how they function. If you want to be sure you understand the basics, this is the episode for you. Click here to absorb all the weaver-y details!

October Weave Along –

The October Weave Along is picking up steam and the participating weavers are already creating brilliant things! If you haven’t checked out this month-long weaving program yet, there is still plenty of time. You are invited to join us!

We have a Facebook group called the Acton Creative October Weave Along where weavers are connecting from all over! And there is much more information for you at the homepage right here. 

So if you are looking for some inspiration to return to weaving, or want to chat with other weavers, or simply want to try your hand at some 1/3 twill (our official October Weave Along pattern), this is the place for you! I can’t wait to see you there!

AC Insiders –

Are you enjoying Acton Creative, finding lots of value? You are officially invited to join the Acton Creative Insiders! This monthly membership, hosted by Patreon, is a fabulous way to support and be in “know” for all things Acton Creative. Click here to become a member. I can’t wait for you to join us!

The post When to re-sley the reed appeared first on Acton Creative.

Thankfully, the answer is no. Whew! We would all have massive collections of weaving reeds, if that was the case.

Tune into episode 70 of A Handwoven Experience to see how you marry the spacing of these two. Enjoy!

Show Notes –

Reed Substitution Chart – Because weaving is such an old artform, the challenges we’re currently running into are nothing new. Weavers have been finding solutions and sharing their information for a million years (okay, that’s a slight exaggeration, but you get the idea)! The folks over at Gather did a blog post with a Reed Substitution Chart included to help you quickly determine how to space your warp yarns in your reed – whatever sort of reed you have. Take a gander at it right here! 

All About Reeds – If you’re looking for a refresher on all things reeds, I have just the episode for you! Take a look at “The Reliable Reed”, episode 33 for all the good stuff!

Now, you!

Have you done a project where you had to double up your warp yarns in your reed or give them a unique spacing?

Custom Month

Did you hear the great news? For the month of September, which is Custom Month, I’ll be loading up the AC Insiders with tips and tricks on how to do your own custom projects! Join our online community to jump start your creativity today! Click here to become a member. I can’t wait for you to join us!

And if you would like me to create a fabulous custom project for you, now’s the time! All holiday projects need to be in the queue by October 1 to give me plenty of time to weave something magical, just for you! Head straight to the Custom Page to get all the details and let’s get to it!

The post Does the spacing have to match? appeared first on Acton Creative.

We’ve all had those days. You are weaving along without a care in the world when suddenly you hear a “ping”, or you feel a change in the tension (or simply a change in the force). When you look down at your fabric, you see a random end of a warp yarn staring back at you. Ugh, broken warp yarn. What a pain!

But I’m here to assure you that you don’t need to be nervous about snapped warp yarns! It’s an easy fix. Grab a safety pin, measure a new warp yarn, find something to weight it off the back, and meet me at the loom. I’ll walk you through it – no sweat!

Show Notes –

Official warp thread weights – I found some very beautiful, official-looking weights for your warp threads at Weaver House! If the old film canister or pill bottle are a little too pedestrian for you and you want something much nicer, check these out! Click the link here to order yours today.  

Floating selvedges – I’ve chatted about floating selvedges in a past episode of A Handwoven Experience, and explained how they come in very handy with certain types of weaving patterns. What I’ve also discovered is that I can’t always anticipate when I’ll need them, prior to the start of the weaving process. Thus, I’ll add them after the loom is dressed and I’ve played with my pattern a bit. All this to say that I’ll use the same method of attaching floating selvedges as I do replacing broken warp yarns. Just something to keep in your back pocket!

Now, you –

What do you traditionally use to weight your warp yarns?

Acton Creative Insiders – 

Have you heard the great news? I’ve partnered with Patreon to bring you the Acton Creative Insiders! This monthly membership offers you a behind-the-scenes look at life as a weaver. You’ll get discounts on products and classes. Plus, you are the first to know about all the good stuff coming down the pike (because you’ll get to help create it)!

Have I piqued your interest? Want to know more? This link will take you right to the AC Insiders page where you can see more details and register today! I can’t wait to have you as part of the team!

The post How to replace a warp yarn appeared first on Acton Creative.

The reed is a rectangular frame with dividers that sits in the beater bar. It’s job is to keep the project width consistent, keeping all those warp yarns in line. Now that I think about it, it’s a bit like the project baby sitter. But, a really good one who plays games with you and fixes grilled cheese sandwiches. (Not like when a sibling just phones it in. You know what I’m talking about…)

Check out episode 33 of A Handwoven Experience to hear more about the reliable reed!

Show Notes –

Weaving reeds – Reeds come in number of widths, as well as various dents per inch (how many spaces per inch). I’m a Schacht girl myself, so if you want to see what your options could look like, check out their selection of reeds right here.

More reed-y details – Wikipedia actual does a pretty good job of explaining the reed and providing some history! I’ve got the link here if you want to soak it all up!

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