Reading a Weaving Draft

Not sure how to read a weaving draft?
Jane explains all the basics and clears up any confusion!
Click here to download a 4 shaft blank draft: jst.link/4-shaft-draft

[@kasandramckenna3250]

WOW! As a beginner weaver this was soooo helpful and saved me rereading a chapter of my book 4 more times! Thanks!

[@JaneStaffordTextilesChannel]

Thanks for your comment! Glad this video helped you 🙂

[@ClydeButler01]

I can't thank you enough!! I am just getting started in weaving and I was having so much trouble understanding the drafts. You explanation was amazing! 😍

[@JaneStaffordTextilesChannel]

Thank you! Glad you found it helpful :)

[@cassidyrask6087]

This was extremely helpful! Thank you so much! I am a beginning weaver and this explanation was wonderful!

[@kathgarvey]

Jane thank you. This is the clearest I have seen this explained. You have made something that’s looks intimidating very easy to understand.

[@kathleenmcconnell95]

A bracket within a bracket was my big question. Thanks for your clear explanation.

[@jeanbadeaux1486]

Absolute game changer for me as a new weaver! Thank you so much!

[@christinamueller7798]

This was a brilliant explanation, very well done, thank you! SO grateful for people who share their knowledge freely!

[@rebekahkimsey9593]

Thank you for simplifying this❤️ Newbie weaver here.

[@JaneStaffordTextilesChannel]

All you have to do is tie-up the empty boxes and it will weave as the front side. I should have added that...duh! I always think it through. If it shows an x in 1 and 2 that means it is for a counter-balance loom and if you step on a treadle tied to 1 and 2 they will sink and your weft will cover them. Soooo following that thinking, if you have a rising shed loom and you tie-up the empty boxes which would be 3 and 4, they would go up and you would be covering 1 and 2, and the cloth would look exactly the same. Hope that makes sense :)

[@stephiepeterson]

This makes total sense. As always, you explain things so clearly and logically, I totally get it. I am a newbie weaver (well, I learned in graduate school some 25 years ago and am just getting back into it), your videos and online guild are helping me so much. I can't even get over how helpful they are...so worth every penny to subscribe! I just got my loom in February, but now to get time to weave! The spring has been so busy. For some reason, I am intimidated to get started. I just need to get some towels on and do some plain weave to get started. I really appreciated your suggestions for a couple of good books for patterns here, too. Thank you so much!

[@jonlilley9161]

Oh my gosh, Jane! I just found this message languishing in a file I've never looked into before. Regardless, thank you very much for your time. I know you're very busy and I'm not a subscriber yet, but I appreciate it all the same. I understand that both upper and lower lamms have to be tied up, but my question is, do the Xs go on the upper or the lower lamms? That's all. I've been putting them on the upper lamms just out of habit, but I'm so new and so unsure that I'm looking for confirmation that I'm doing it right. My superpower is making the wrong decision! Anyway, thanks again for all your time! I really appreciate it!

[@planetaryelixirs9057]

Just a question from this post. Do I understand sinking shed looms create weft faced patterns and rising warp faced? Can you explain that or do you have a video about that?

[@Amaranthyne]

Thank you so much! All I’ve done is plain weave so far and I really wanted to try a pattern this time, but didn’t understand what I was looking at. This is such a wonderful explanation, it suddenly seems so uncomplicated.

[@JaneStaffordTextilesChannel]

So glad it was helpful! Enjoy your next pattern :)

[@melissabucheit3832]

This was so helpful! Thank you! ❤️

[@dbrowne9341]

oh my thankyou ..the mist is clearing I'm beginning to see at last! you helped a dyslexic weaver so much!!!LOL

[@juliasymonds9744]

Absolutely brilliant video, thank you, you answered all my questions so clearly.

[@rebeccablythe7477]

Fantastic explanation, thank you so much. I'm very excited to finally get started on my new to me 4 harness loom

[@stitchingwithasmile677]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge! This is very clear and easy to understand.

[@planetaryelixirs9057]

Thank you so much! So helpful especiallyunderstanding a draft difference for rising or sinking shaft looms.

[@neferet501]

Thank you so much for this, I just got a book of weaving patterns and had no clue how to read them. Thank you!

[@marinamartinez6886]

Very clear explanation. I'll definitely be referring back to this video.

[@mrjamrol]

Outstanding! Still learning, but this helps tremendously- thank you!

[@susanlayton6689]

Jane thank you. I am just about to start weaving and at last I found a video that made sense, so thank you again.

[@JaneStaffordTextilesChannel]

Thank-you Susan for the comment :)

[@rubymoore1621]

Thank you so much for sharing. yours has been the best explanation that i have seen.

[@victoriamoran9789]

Such a clear explanation! Thank you so much.

[@tsilamagdassi81]

Thank you so much!!! Very clear and helpful explanationץ

[@Knitilda]

Love this! So helpful - thank you ☺️

[@jacquelineshewring503]

I have been weaving for about 8 years now and thanks to your great explanation on reading weaving drafts I think the penny has finally dropped.

[@JaneStaffordTextilesChannel]

So glad you found it helpful!

[@susanott1230]

I was very confused with the Dixon book because I hadn’t noted that the treadling was read from bottom to top. This became apparent when doing double weave.

[@loistschaepe2835]

Awesome explanation!

[@macy8539]

thank you so much for this video!!

[@crisfonsecacosta]

Thank you very much for this great explanation and for sharing ❤️

[@Curtis0215]

Finally I get it! Thank you!

[@shazziep5567]

Brilliant explanation 🥳🥳

[@pamtroup6290]

Excellent!! Thank you for making this tutorial!!!!

[@JaneStaffordTextilesChannel]

You are so welcome! Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@anniredale7207]

Excellent explanation

[@JaneStaffordTextilesChannel]

Glad you found it helpful! Happy Weaving!

[@johannafreeburn3061]

thankyou for video tutorial AND blank template download, very thoughtful and sharing

[@jwstanley2645]

If I may ask.... Do you know the music of J.S. Bach? and Can you image a connection between the patterns weavers use to the pattern of tones in Bach's most known music? I do. As you describe these notations, I see musical notation. Then, I imagine Bach's wives (he had several in series) weaving, with him watching, learning, gaining inspiration. As well, he employs rhythms that remind me of weaving, A, B, C, D, C, D, C, D, A, B, C, D, C, D, A. C, D, C, D, D, C, B, A, D, C, D, C, D, C, B, A etc, In many ways, he employs a progression, then reverses it, much as weaving uses a pattern, then reverses it. Anyway, try thinking about weaving patterns while listening to J.S. Bach. You are such a genius!

[@simplerworld6897]

Just Amazing!!!!

[@yvettegrant3335]

Very good, would be nice to see a 4to8 inch square demo though.I do understand ,very góod tutorial on reading a pattern.awesome, thanks sooo much.

[@lucyhorne4773]

Hi Jane, I've just got a Louet David. I understand about reading the blank squares in a rising shed tie up for my sinking shed loom, but My question is on your drafts you use numbers, so how Would I know if it's for rising or sinking shed loom? I love watching your videos, you help keep me call when in fighting with my warp!

[@The_loopy_knitter]

I would love to know how this system can be read when using a rigid heddle loom with 2 heddles, a pick up stick and a heddle rod, instead of a shaft loom as one cannot treadle in a rigid heddle loom.

[@josiesbest]

Jane, this is a wonderful video. Thank you so much for sharing this video . Do you have any idea where I can get blank weaving draft...actually where I can print out a blank graf. I have graft paper but the boxes are so small. I do hope this makes sense...again Thank you so much.

[@JaneStaffordTextilesChannel]

Hi Mary, we've just added the link to JST's 4-shaft blank draft above in the video description. You can download it directly from here.

[@stephiepeterson]

Very helpful. Thank you. If you have a rising shed loom and the pattern is for a sinking shed loom (or vice versa), are there any adaptations necessary? Or will the front side of the cloth just be face down as you weave? Thank you so much for all your helpful content!

[@barrettthompson5741]

I'm a new weaver and can't be 100% sure this will work for all loom types, but when I apply a rising shed pattern to my counterbalance (sinking shed) loom, I 'invert' the tie-up block by treating black boxes as white and vice-versa. In other words, I tie-up according to what's colored white instead of black. This puts the front side of the cloth on the top where I expect it.

[@caridadmercedes3088]

This video is soothing...

[@kieranandersen6446]

I’m a new weaver with a brand new loom. How do you adapt these patterns to make different width pieces, calculate yardage, and determine what reed to use? I see these patterns, but how do I determine all the variables?

[@Trusty1957]

I bought a counterbalance beam and no one in my small city have use one . Do you have lesson on how to weave on that type of loom

[@gailjahn8303]

This is excellent. Thank you. What do you do if you only have 4 foot treadles? I was gifted a loom (I believe an old Rasmussen) which only had 4 foot treadles.

[@Yeshuasavedmichelle]

Excellent video thank you! Question on understanding Davison’s book, she has numbers written below too shaft lines, they are not in brackets or parentheses. Are these the repeats or pick counts per pattern section? Seems like if I count the picks then it is the number written below, but for her pattern called “ Upholstery Satarglantan” if I read those numbers below and the picks then for the whole pattern it is only 120 picks? First 40, then 20, then repeat again. Numbers in her book under are not for repeats, only picks? So appreciate your help! I have her orange book, pattern I am talking about is on page 41.

[@marlenecheladyn6450]

Love this explanation, but how do you figure out 4 shaft for a rigid heddle loom? And how do you know how to thread the heddles?

[@The_loopy_knitter]

I have the same question. I want to use 2 heddles a pickup stick and a heddle rod so I have 4 shafts.

[@niccibush8953]

Yes!

[@jonesingblues4384]

I am a new weaver and bought Marguerite Porter Davison book. I heard in the video that her patterns are for sinking shed loom. Can I use Marguerite Porter Davison pattern drafts on an rising shaft table loom by Ashford?

[@carolynadams2275]

It looks like Ann Dixon starts her treadling at the bottom of the red line and working up to the top rather than starting on row 1 of the treadling. Is this correct? I have the book and she doesn't really explain except to show the red arrow and then the circle to repeat.

[@Falney]

I'm in the process of making a countermarch loom and you just scared me with the sinking and rising shed comment as I was planning on buying the handweaver's pattern handbook. Would they work on a countermarch loom?

[@jonlilley2832]

Hi, Jane! Fantastic video and everything makes so much sense. Well, almost. I have a counter-march loom and have to tie up everything so which do I tie up to what? Thank you.

[@tsecord7111]

Jon Lilley I’m wondering this also. Hoping to see an answer!

[@janinedear-barlow]

I have a 4 shaft table top loom but there is only 4 treadles. It's this not normal? Would only read the first 4 bars in the treadle column? Could you show in a video how to these according to a pattern, I don't fully understand this.

[@vidhitjain9363]

Excellent info-graphic video , i'm a weaver from India duly interested in making supplementary warp patterns , can you suggest any book to refer for designs and better understanding of the subject .

[@JaneStaffordTextilesChannel]

Jane teaches a whole season of her Jane Stafford Textiles Online Guild on "Colour and Design" where she guides us through designing our own cloth. She also teaches a full episode in Season 3 on weaving with supplementary warps.

[@Academician100]

Is there a method to convert a draft for a falling treadle to one for a rising treadle?

[@louiseforget409]

How do I sign up for the online course

[@deasone8062]

Hi Jane, ciaran here, i am trying to understand reading drafts from marquerette porter davidson 4 shaft patterns. my loom is 4 harness with 4 handles. can you please try to clear something up for me , can I weave marquerette's patterns with 6 threadles, on my loom with only 4 handles? Thanks you so much for your help Great Video!

[@JaneStaffordTextilesChannel]

Absolutely, your handles act like your treadles. Instead of tying the harnesses to a treadle, you'll be using the corresponding handles. If it says treadle 1 (harness 1 & 3), use handles 1 & 3 and so on.

[@marcy-daveweber6265]

Morning Jane,can i use this with my rigid heddle loom by adding a second heddle? I think i understand that the rigid heddle loom is 2 shafts so with the second heddle in would be 4 shafts? Thank you in advance, i have done a couple of 2 heddle patterns but i bought the class so i am not sure how to convert the 4 shaft patterns on my own yet.

[@martinndungu8536]

Am a happy weaver from Kenya,, can I get those books pls🙏😁

[@mujammilansari5089]

Hello i am a weaver and i want this book (The Handweaver's Pattern Directory)

[@sandraeasthope3010]

What do you do if you have a table loom with toggles, is that called a direct tie up?

[@JaneStaffordTextilesChannel]

Hi Sandra, yes it's called a direct tie-up.

[@swahid5019]

So if we need an inch of plain weave before the twill, do we change the tie up? Then change back to twill?

[@JaneStaffordTextilesChannel]

Hi! If you have 6 treadles on your loom, you can have 2 treadles for plain weave and 4 treadles for twills.

[@artistirmafeliciarodriguez7752]

Do you have any videos for 4 shaft table looms-I have a Louet Erica that I recently purchased. I began on a rigid heddle table loom and I am trying to learn the 4 shaft table loom. Thanks

[@JaneStaffordTextilesChannel]

Hi there, congrats on your new Louet Erica loom! JST Online Guild yearly subscription is all about 4 shaft looms, floor or table. Some of the drafts may need to be adjusted to accommodate the width of smaller looms but all the basics for weaving and so much more, you'll find it all with our lessons. If you'd like to read more, follow this link: janestaffordtextiles.com/online-guild/

[@artistirmafeliciarodriguez7752]

@@JaneStaffordTextilesChannel Thank You, I am checking out the website

[@SherrisPlace]

@@JaneStaffordTextilesChannel Hello, would you happen to have a video showing how to use/convert these patterns for an 8/16 shaft table loom? 🙏 TY

[@nadinebasile8539]

if a pattern is written for a counter balance (sinking shed) loom with an X, but you are using a rising shed loom, how can you adapt the pattern? or does it matter?

[@JaneStaffordTextilesChannel]

Hi Nadine, you can tie up the empty boxes instead of the ones with an X on the patterns that have designs. Otherwise, your plain weave and 2/2 twill, it won't make a difference.

[@donnamjones6132]

Great to know! That was my question also. That makes so much sense 😊

[@3Gida]

👏👏👏

[@nehahimachal2707]

👌

[@ahealizzy]

Where will I get this book

[@JaneStaffordTextilesChannel]

Hi there, the Handweaver's Pattern Directory & Carol Strickler's 8 Shaft pattern can be purchased at most bookstores and A Handweaver's Pattern Book by Marguerite Porter Davisons, green version, is out of print but you may be able to find a second-hand copy of it online.

[@ninabanks8342]

Wish you had explained the treadling a bit more

[@gerdaraskandersen6561]

Kan det oversættes til dansk

[@ginetteg3600]

I like your vidéo but its possible to have this vidéo in french ? Merci

[@JaneStaffordTextilesChannel]

Hi Ginette, at the moment we don't have a french version of the videos. Sorry about that.

[@ginetteg3600]

@@JaneStaffordTextilesChannel Thank you for answer so sorry but i try to understand by repeat that vidéo + + + lol if you made this in french please tell me Merci