Threading Heddles

In this episode (#8), I am threading some heddles! This is the stage of the weaving process when you can start to design your pattern by choosing which yarn will live on which shaft of your loom. Check it out!
Interested in a few FREE resources all about weaving? Head over to the Acton Creative website where you can choose from "6 Weaving Patterns" or the "Dressing the Loom Checklist" or both! I can't wait to see what you weave next! actoncreative....

[@jenniferfrohliger6048]

I’m loving your videos. I’ve watched many and they have been so much more helpful that any other channels I’ve come across. 🙏🏻

[@ActonCreative]

Oh yay!! I'm so glad they've been helpful to you!

[@karlahernandez5750]

I made a set of lease sticks out of scrap wood I had in my stash. They are nice but short. Then I found 2 really nice yardsticks! Instant leash sticks that are a much better size.

[@ActonCreative]

Great solution!!

[@Delldgm]

Hello I am loving this series. Currently I'm devouring weaving videos in anticipation of purchasing my first shaft loom. I am wondering when the peddles get tied up to the shafts because one for the reasons people who recommend the table looms over the floor looms to me is that I wont need to be "crawling around on the floor tying up the peddles" and was told this is part of every new warp. yet I'm not seeing it in any of the warping videos . And yours is the most step by step understandable ones I have found - now I really want the loom lol

[@ActonCreative]

Well hi! Thank you so much for the note! I have an episode called "Treadles & Tie-Ups" that addresses your exact question. Here's the link kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJjEZYJ4gZWplc0 But between you and me, I pretty rarely fiddle with them. I would guess that I tweak them maybe 3-4 times a year and it's not difficult. It all depends on the patterns you choose! I hope that helps!

[@Delldgm]

@@ActonCreative thank you so much. that does make it much clearer. most of the comments i was getting were making it sound like this huge job I would have to do every time I started a new project/warp.

[@TheBayoubreeze]

Would like to know more about the planning on the graph paper that lets you know when to put the thread in a different shaft and heddle. Thank you! 😊

[@ActonCreative]

Hmm... I like it! This relates directly to reading a weaving draft. A weaving draft is a visual map of a weaving pattern. It guides you on how your warp should be threaded through your shafts, as well as how to tie up your treadles to create the pattern. They're a wealth of knowledge! I use the graph paper when I plan the order of my warp yarns. I almost always do more than 2 colors. So the graph paper helps me sort through the spacing and gives me insight into the final product. Hope that helps!!

[@Natalieleu]

I've always wanted a floor loom in my husband bought me a jayco 48-in weave loom. This is the first time I have dressed it, I am a newbie. This video has given me a good idea of what to do. My loom has a cloth beam in the front, an upper and lower work beam in the back. I have no idea what the third beam is for, if you know could you please tell me. I have never seen a loon with three beams until I got this one.

[@ActonCreative]

Wow! A third beam? Sounds fancy! I'm not familiar with this style of loom, though. So sadly I won't be much help. If the manufacturer still exists, maybe they have resources to guide you? I hope so! Will you keep me posted on what you find out? I'm so curious about the third beam!! Best of luck!!

[@Natalieleu]

I think I figured it out this morning while lying in bed. I think it's for if you want to make a very long work, for something like curtains. Doesn't that sound like fun. :-)

[@ActonCreative]

@@Natalieleu Oh, interesting!! That does sound fun!!

[@rachelkarcher2565]

Thank!

[@frandaig]

I like the way you dress the loom. I understood that toi have 1 thread par dent in the reed so it is easy To follow in the heddles . What happens when you have 2 or more threads per dent in the reed . How do you know which thread To take To go through the heddle in ordre.

[@ActonCreative]

Hi! Thanks so much! Typically you can have multiple warp yarns per dent, but only 1 per heddle. Does that answer your question? Just let me know & I'll expand the answer, if you need!

[@frandaig]

@@ActonCreative q

[@frandaig]

Thank you for your fast response . But my question is when you have 2 thread in one dent, which one do you chose first to put through the heddle. Meaning how do you know which thread of the cross comes first.

[@ActonCreative]

@@frandaig Here's where I'd suggest referring to your original project plan. However, if your warp is all the same color, it won't matter so much. The goal is that each warp yarn run straight through the loom. Hope that helps!

[@PenelopeGreen-sk3cf]

Does it matter which direction the yarn goes thru the heddles?

[@ActonCreative]

@@PenelopeGreen-sk3cf Hi! The direction will be dictated by how you dress your loom - front-to-back or back-to-front. But the bottom line is that each warp yarn needs to flow straight through the heddle so you can easily forward your fabric as you weave. Does that answer your question?

[@PenelopeGreen-sk3cf]

I think so. I dressed back to front. My heddles are not all installed the same - some turn more easily to the left and some to the right. Is it okay to thread them both ways just so the heddles open easily toward the front?

[@ActonCreative]

@@PenelopeGreen-sk3cf You're welcome to tweak them however will help you the most! As long as the warp yarn travels easily through the eye, you're golden!

[@PenelopeGreen-sk3cf]

@@ActonCreative Thank you! I started out thinking that they needed to be threaded the same but then I realized they weren't all installed alike. Some have the color on top, some on bottom. So as long as it doesn't matter, I will just thread them whichever way they will let the yarn slide through most easily.