r/weaving • u/DuckyDuckyMo • 13h ago
Discussion Thoughts? Is it possible to use these for an 8-shaft pattern?
https://touchgrasstextiles.com/products/swatch-loom-refills
I found these really cool looking swatch cards and thought they would be great for sampling before warping my loom but thinking about it I’m not sure if they’ll be good for testing multi-shaft weaves
Thoughts? Do you think it’ll be a possibility to use these for multi-shaft weave structures or just tapestry/simple weave structures?
I also saw a Dundas portable loom for sale near me but don’t really have the space for a second loom so would prefer small swatch cards if it’s actually possible
Edit: below are some examples that they posted that make me think that it’s a possibility but I still want input from people, especially those who’ve used swatch cards like these or similar for their own sampling
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u/mao369 12h ago
Oh, sure, if your eyes are young enough to see and manipulate the threads. Shafts on a loom don't do anything except make your life easier; it's not like they're used to swap warp threads from one side to another. If you're willing to pick up the individual threads you need for the draft, you can definitely use something like this. Like any loom that isn't the loom you'd be using to create the final project, though, I'd caution you to be mindful of the sett difference that'll be likely between this and your desired piece.
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u/DuckyDuckyMo 12h ago
Thats kind of my thought process, if I can just push through and sacrifice ease of weaving with the multishafts I wouldn’t have to sacrifice as much loom waste
My worry is sett though , I want to make sure it’ll actually be worth it to do something like this
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u/mao369 12h ago
Yeah, basically sampling on the loom you plan to use and at the width you plan to weave is the closest you'll be able to come to "knowing" how it'll turn out. Which, unfortunately, just adds to the loom waste issue. Though the comment by u/shellybriggs regarding the use of 3d printing might be a reasonable compromise, if you can get the epi how you want it as you can, technically at least, control your ppi when weaving. 😂
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u/DuckyDuckyMo 12h ago
Darn 😭 I knew deep down the only way to truly know would be to use the loom you’re going to use but on top of my loom waste being hand spun I also have to unfold and set up then put away my loom at each use since I no longer have a craft space
There has been a 3d printed 8 shaft table loom going around so maybe that’s an option but I heard the shed isn’t the easiest to weave with, maybe it can still be useful for samples? Otherwise I’m not too sure, I really don’t want to buy another loom just to do small samples on 😓
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u/shellybriggs 12h ago
I actually printed this loom and was unable to get it to work. I know some people have had success so your mileage may vary, but for me it wasn’t worth the headache and I’d rather spend my time weaving vs. troubleshooting a printed loom.
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u/DuckyDuckyMo 12h ago
Thank you for the input, I don’t want to struggle with a printed loom either , at that point I’d rather just struggle with my actual loom
I can try the sample cards for now and hopefully they’ll work though one last resort option is seeing if my local guild has a Ashford Katie I can rent/borrow but it’ll be a DRIVE to get to them if they do 😓
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u/Ok_Part6564 1h ago
Sure, but you could also just sample the exact same way on a basic cardboard loom. You could make it an easier and more useful size too, like coaster size, which would be easier to use and then you could use the sample after as a mug-rug.
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u/Negative-Database852 20m ago
Anything is possible if you're willing to accept a bit of faff! You can do an 8-shaft pattern without any shafts if you're able to count and keep track of where you are in a pattern.
You could make a swatch card like this from cardboard. Or do those things that some people do where you weave around a rock or a piece of wood, like: https://www.larkandbower.com/
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u/shellybriggs 13h ago
I don’t think there’s any reason you couldn’t use them for multi shaft patterns if you’re willing to weave it all by hand. It’s a very easy 3d print so maybe investigate that before buying.