Help for and from the Weaving Community
From Pat B May 2021 Guild Meeting
This is an easy way to spice up a boring warp, use between towels to make each towel a little different, or replace a color that just isn’t working. Think of it like replacing a broken thread on purpose.
1 – Measure out the new color to make sure it is long enough plus a little extra so you don’t have to worry about knots coming through the heddles or reed.
2 – Cut off the old color being careful not to cut other warps
3 – Tie the new color to the old color
4 – Pin or tie the end of the new color in front of the reed
5 – Pull the old color with the new color through the reed and heddles
6 – Tie the new color to the old color in a bow at the back beam or hang it on a weight.As you weave, the bow(s) will travel toward the heddles. Move it back before it reaches the heddles.
This can be done on narrow or wide stripes. Limit your bow or hanging groups to 6-8 threads. The tricky part is keeping all the tension even when making the bow or hanging the weight.
With the broken thread, do the same thing except tie a tiny knot that will go through the reed if the thread breaks on the front side of the heddles. You can use sewing thread on the broken thread to help keep the knot tiny. Attach the replacement alongside the broken thread and bow it at the back or hang it with weight. Then weave 1-2″ inches with BOTH threads. Cut the old thread and continue weaving with the new repair thread. If weaving a long piece the broken end will eventually become long enough to come back alongside the replacement. Again, weave 1-2″ with both threads. Cut off the replacement and continue with the original. Pay attention to which thread you need to cut. In the photo you will see orange threads to simulate what to do. The replacement thread should be the same as the thread you are replacing. The thread tied to the broken thread can be any thread. If the warp and weft are the same, the tails can be laid in the weft.
Tip 7 and 8 at the end is the clamps with the reed tip. I will also take pictures of me actually cutting the warp threads and knotting them.
Warp and Weft Weavers Guild 