I hear ya! And while I still haven’t found any mystical elves that will wind my bobbins for me, I do have a bobbin winder that I swear by.

Today’s episode of A Handwoven Experience is all about working with a bobbin winder. If you’ve been winding yours by hand thus far, this could be a complete game changer! Check it out!

Show Notes –

Various Kinds of Bobbin Winders – In the video today, I’m using a hand-powered, single end, bobbin winder. But, there are electric versions available that can REALLY make quick work of loading up your bobbin! Plus, you’ll find versions that are classified as “single end” or “double end”. This refers to how the empty bobbin is attached to the winder. The Woolery has a nice selection and if you scroll down to the bottom, you can see their recommendations on how to wind a bobbin. Very interesting!!

Other Accessories – In case you missed it, I released a video all about weaving accessories last year. It includes a little tour around my loom, showcasing all the tools I reach for on a regular basis. You might discover something you’ve missed!

Now, you!

What is your favorite weaving accessory?

AC 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 No More Empty Bobbins 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!

The post The Reliable Reed appeared first on Acton Creative.

Show notes

Floor loom – loom that sits on the floor, versus a table loom that sits on a table

Schacht Spindle Company – based in Colorado, they make my favorite looms!

Beater bar – moving piece that tightens the yarns in a weaving project after they are fed into the loom by a shuttle. The beater bar also holds the reed which keeps the width of the project consistent.

Shafts – frames that lift and lower the warp yarns, which are threaded through the heddles.

Treadles – pedals on the loom that are connected to the shafts

Front beam (also called a breast beam) – sturdy beam in the front of the loom that the woven fabric will travel over before it is wound around the cloth beam

Heddles – long, slender metal pieces with an eye in the middle to hold yarn. Heddles do not have to be metal, but that is what I use in my loom.

Dressing the loom – the process of setting up a loom

Back beam – sturdy beam in the back of the loom that yarn will travel over before moving through the heddles

The post Ep. 4 A Tour of my Floor Loom appeared first on Acton Creative.