Seabreeze Spinners

This “cradle loom” is from the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum and called a Norwegian Cradle Loom. Generically, it is a box loom (named for the shape of the loom), tape loom (named for the “tapes” or strips of cloth produced on the loom) or as the Sweds term it, a band loom (named for the decorative bands woven on the looms and used to decorate clothing). Box tape looms probably originated among the Germans and traveled to Sweden and Norway. Germans brought tape loom weaving with them to this country as evidenced by the “Pennsylvania Dutch” tape weaving traditions.

I represent Glimakra looms and if you’re interested, you can purchase a Glimakra Swedish Band Loom through me. Other sources I found for Box Tape Looms, Band Looms, Paddle Looms, and Floor Two Treadle tape looms are (click on source name to be linked to source):

J. K. Sidel
Hand Woven Magazine
The Joyner’s Shop
Fred & Grace Hatton, Finn Sheep
TapeLooms.com
Link to photos of Swedish tapes

This photo shows my loom “dressed” for weaving. I am using a “rigid heddle” to separate the threads to create a “shed” for weaving. The hand held “paddle loom” or “tape loom” can be used separately from the box loom. One end of the warp can be tied to something solid and the other end can be held in ones hand. Moving the paddle up and down a “shed” is created through which the yarn/weaving material is passed. While very portable, I have found that it is difficult to maintain a constant tension with this method, and therefore the band or tape is inconsistent in width. Using the box loom, the rollers which are attached to gears maintain a constant tension and the width is more consistent. I have used shelf lining paper to roll up with warp on the “warp beam”/roller. It keeps the layers of warp from tangling and helps maintain tension on the warp.

The band created by this loom will appear in future blog entries.

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First, with great joy, we attended the wedding of Chris (my husband’s son) and his new bride, Yasuko.

…Then we headed to the mountains.

My chairs were “sprinkled” through the woods and we set out projects on the deck.

The loom is here. I had ordered a stainless steel reed (5″) but it was too long when it arrived. I returned it (thank you Glimarka) and they sent a new reed. But alas, this one is too shallow (4″). I’ll be returning it and ordering another. Meanwhile, I’ll try to use the old rusted reed. More on that project is upcoming blogs.

I have a new project (more about that in subsequent blogs), a Norwegian box loom. Box looms probably originated in Germany and migrated to Sweden and Norway. The loom comes unfinished so it can be painted, stained or oiled. I’ve been coating it with antique oil finish and plan to bath it in orange oil and bee’s wax after the finish drys.

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This antique yarn winder was “won” on eBay and shipped from Holland. It was purchased knowing the “clock” didn’t work. BUT, with beeswax and two nylon bushings and a lot of fiddling, I got it working. When the wheel is turned to wind on the yarn to create a skein, it turns a wood gear which run the “clock”, the hand winds to keep track of the length of yarn. I must admit that even with my fiddling, it doesn’t work flawlessly but my plan is to display the winder when I use the antique flax wheel for demos. I expect I will continue to use my metal and plastic skein winder for real work until my new wood one arrives from Glimarka. Several views of the yarn winder below:

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My newest band is from heavy, strong, somewhat coarse rug wool:

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Loom is finished. Mended the aprons and re-installed. (Don’t love the oversized washers but there was a crack on the beater bar. I glued it and the large washers support the repair.) Now just waiting for the heddles and new reed.

And, I’ve started my second band; this one of rayon.

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Restoring the Kessenich 4/4 floor loom is progressing. I need to resew the apron to reinforce where stiching is coming undone and then remount the aprons. Instead of new, I chose to wash the aged canvas aprons. They are still strong (although aged looking) because I think they complement the loom. The loom originally must have had wire heddles as I received a fist full of those with the loom. Apparently, they had been replaced with flat steel heddles at some point. Some of those have reusted and I’ve decided to replace al the heddles with texsolv heddles because the heddles won’t rust and they’re quiet. They’re in transit from Louet so “I’m a waiting”. I’m also waiting for a stainless steel reed from Glimarka to replace the heavily rusted reed. Everything else looks good, least wise to my eyes. See what you think?

Oh, and that antique sewing machine frame to the right. I picked that up at our annual church garage sale two years ago. I’m planning to drag that up to the mountains as well (yes, my husband must love me! LOL). I’m planning to turn it into a table. The treadly moves the wheel and it works.

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I’ve become enchanted by small bands created by inkle, box and tape looms, but have been frustrated with my inability to maintain tension. I’ve discovered the Gilmakra Band Loom and the problem is solved:

I am so excited by the band loom and their new “Julia” loom that I’ve become a distributor. The band loom ships in a flat box but is easy (even for me) to assemble. On the loom below, my first band on this loom. It’s kakai, peach and aqua 8/2 cotton.

Watch here for more bands.

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Spent the better part of the weekend cleaning up the new loom. The wood underneath the water damaged/aged finish is beautiful. I used MinWax refinisher which broke down the old finish but unlike stripper didn’t strip/bleach the finish. It’s an old loom and I like the age marks that bear witness to it’s years of service…I just didn’t want it to look “nasty”/dirty. Here’s the loom in process. I took it all apart (with the help of my husband…lots of help) and I’m in the process of changing much of the hardware (bolts, screws, nuts, etc.) over to stainless steel so I won’t have the same rust problems. Many of the “fittings” were frozen by rust. Can anyone give a guess as to age from the brass identifying plate?

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I had been hoping to find a small rugged loom to haul up to the mountains that could live on the deck upon which I could weave rugs and/or scarves. I found it. It’s pretty rough but a diamond in the rough! This is a Kessenich Loom, they’re valued as work horses. The loom is probably from the 1960’s. It was hand made from sold red oak. It’s mostly all there, I think. I plan to do some cleaning this weekend. The finish is pretty much done. Most of the screws are frozen. It’s a project but I expect well worth the investment ($197) off eBay. I was able to pick it up locally (which is rare in Florida) which saved me shipping. More about this loom as the project developes.

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