More Details on the Red PVC Loom

While visiting with the South Jersey Guild of Spinners and Handweavers last week I was asked about my method of making a shed on my red PVC loom. I am using weaving tablets, aka weaving cards, instead of a rigid heddle. Now, traditional tablets are used to create a weave structure similar to a four shaft loom. In standard tablets there are four holes, one in each corner, and one thread passes through each hole so that when you rotate the tablets any thread may be on top. What I’m doing here, however, is to only use two background threads/tablet with each thread on an opposite corner. The pattern threads pass between the cards so that they float in a neutral position. The pattern threads do not pass through any holes. For this band I am weaving with 10/2 cotton and the threads are doubled for the pattern threads, which is typical for Baltic weaving.

Then I pass a thin dowel through each tablet using the unthreaded tablet holes, and add a metal washer from the hardware store between each tablet.

This is a setup that was taught to me by my friend and weaving instructor Barbara Parman who works with individuals with disabilities. I wrapped a rubber band around each dowel end to prevent the dowels from slipping out.

The dowels keep the tablets in order and provide a handle to turn them easily, making two sheds, while the washers allow the tablets to rock back and forth without effort. Note that the dowels also prevent the tablets from making more than 1/2 rotation. I rotate the cards forward (away from me) for one shed and back for the second shed. A nice tight tension and a quick slide of the tablets back and forth allows the pattern threads to be chosen easily.

I’ve also wrapped a ponytail holder around part of the loom to use as a shuttle holder...

...and I used a couple of pieces of string taped to the end of the brake rods with the other end tied to the loom to prevent the rods from falling out and dropping to the floor.

So what is the advantage of using tablets rather than a rigid heddle? You may not have a Sunna or Sigga type heddle available. Or you may wish to have more background threads than your specialty heddle has slots and holes. It’s just one more option to use if you are doing pickup weaving.