The Famous Straight Draw

In episode 57 of A Handwoven Experience, I'm walking you through the Famous Straight Draw. This simple concept will help you set up your loom for numerous patterns. And away you'll go! Happy Weaving!
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[@dianerobinson1946]

Thanks Chris. I'm so glad you talked about the center part on the shaft of a jack loom. Very helpful!!!

[@ActonCreative]

Diane, I'm so glad it was helpful!!!

[@denisegresl1762]

Chris, I also sit low to thread the heddles, however, I found that placing a piece of 2x4 wood under each side of the four shafts they raise them enough to see and thread more easily. Thanks for defining "straight draw".

[@ActonCreative]

Denise, that's a great suggestion!! Thank you so much for sharing!!!

[@PandTRanch]

I am SO GLAD I found your channel!! I just bought a Leclerc 4-shaft loom and I’ve been cruising KZbin trying to understand how to set it up! This is the first video I found that ACTUALLY shows threading the heddles! I love your teaching style and you are so easy to watch and understand. I also have 6 treadles and although mine has a castle, I will be able to transfer everything you’ve taught me to my loom. So thank you THANK YOU T H A N K Y O U for making such great, clear videos, with great explanations and teaching aids. Love it! You have a new fan here! 😀

[@ActonCreative]

Teresa, I'm so happy you found me! Yay!! Congratulations on the loom - that is so exciting!!! As you get farther into the weaving process, please don't hesitate to reach out if you have questions! I'm happy to help!!

[@maggierobillard]

I found you the other day and I have learn something new in every single video! I was curious as I watched this video as to why you have so many yardsticks?

[@ActonCreative]

Hi Maggie!! Welcome! I'm so glad you're here!! I use the yardsticks with my 36" floor loom in between the rotations of warp yarn on the back of the loom. They're the perfect size to keep everything even! For my table loom, I use craft paper instead! What do you use as you wind your project on?

[@maggierobillard]

@@ActonCreative Thank you so much for answering! That is a terrific bargain idea for maintaining tension! For my new-to-me 36 in loom, I have two yardsticks that I use for temporary lease sticks--I just drilled holes and they work fine, though new lease sticks are on my short list of things to buy, since I have to fidget with them when I'm winding the warp. They don't readily slide as round lease sticks would. To wind the warp yarn, I have been using large rolls of artists fabric/canvas. It is amazing! Long, flexible, the right width, and sturdy. The woman who sold me the loom was an artist and passed them along to me along with lots of other goodies. I have several pieces and I wrote the size on the ends so I know which one to use. I have 36" x 10' for most large warps, then several smaller ones. Thanks again and I'll be watching!

[@ASimpleTwistofFate101]

Hello Chris, Thank you so much for your videos! They are wonderful! I wanted to know if you could discuss the advantages of threading the loom from the back. Also, how do you make sure that threads do not get crossed during the warping/threading process?

[@ActonCreative]

Hi Laura! Thank you so much for the kind words! I dress the loom from front-to-back, meaning that after I wind the warp, I sley the reed, thread the heddles, and wind it on the loom - in that order. I keep the cross in place using a set of lease sticks, which also prevents the warp from getting too tangled when winding it on to the loom. Is that what you're asking? Let me know if I didn't quite answer the question and I'll try again! Thanks!

[@ASimpleTwistofFate101]

Thank you so much! @@ActonCreative

[@minkademko2335]

My "center" has different numbers of heddles on either side. Very frustrating! I'm not sure what to do with that. And it's not quite centered. It's no problem until I decide to use the full width of the loom, which I haven't done yet. I have a Sears Roebuck and Company 2 heddle loom.

[@ActonCreative]

Minka, is it possible to move them? While I haven't worked on that style of loom before, if it's a jack loom, there are typically clips holding the shafts a smidge off center.

[@terrydickson6468]

What type of loom are you using 🙏

[@ActonCreative]

Terry, I'm working on a Schacht 4-shaft, 36" floor loom. It's a jack loom. What kind of loom do you have?

[@terrydickson6468]

I have a 4 shaft ashford table loom . My husband and I turned it into a 8 shaft loom . Long story short it works perfect 👍 it’s a 16 inch , I just turned 55 and had my 35 wedding anniversary 🙏🍸 My present is when we’re done finishing our home in Maine ,I can purchase a jack loom from the ashford company . I am so excited but I am doing my home work first. Love love the information I am learning from you 🙏🙏👯‍♀️🧶

[@ActonCreative]

@@terrydickson6468 Terry, I love this!! Congratulations on the birthday and wedding anniversary! Those are huge milestones! I can't wait to hear more about the new loom, when you get it! Keep me posted!

[@jessicamaas6720]

isn't this pattern written 4,3,2,1? Reading from right to left

[@ActonCreative]

Hi Jessica! Yes! In good news - it's still a straight draw!