Questions about Drawlooms?
| What a drawloom is: | Types of drawlooms | The kind of floor loom necessary for a drawloom | The loom extension |
| The countermarch | Drawloom classes | Ordering a drawloom | Prices |
WHAT IS A DRAWLOOM?
A drawloom is used to weave many different kinds of things which have complex patterns. You can weave your name on a placemat, weave flowers on a wall hanging or weave images which can be displayed as you would a tapestry. The drawloom makes this possible by having two sets of shafts. These sets of shafts are called harnesses. So, a drawloom is a two harness loom. A drawloom is made by adding a drawloom bridge on to the top of a floor loom. A loom extension is added to the back of the loom to increase the depth of the loom. A second harness of shafts is placed inside the loom behind the first harness of shafts. The second harness is used to produce patterns which cannot be made on an ordinary loom..
There is a description of what a drawloom can do in another section of the web site. To read this section, click on drawlooms.
If I set up a drawloom, can I use this loom for weaving other things?
Yes, you can weave on your loom as you would any floor loom. The drawloom bridge is easy to remove so the loom can be used for other weaving. And if you choose, the drawloom bridge can stay on the loom. The only part that has to come off is the second harness of pattern shafts. They would be in the way of the warp thread. You can leave the loom extension on the loom and it can be shortened to it's shortest setting.
WHAT TYPES OF DRAWLOOMS ARE AVAILABLE?
There are two main types of drawlooms, the shaft drawloom and the single unit drawloom. You can also have a combination of these two types.
What is a shaft drawloom?
The shaft drawloom makes repeat patterns, by pulling handles located above the beater on the loom. These handles are attached to cords which go to the top of and across the bridge, which is a frame on top of the loom. When the handles are pulled, shafts in the second harness rise to make a pattern shed. The second harness is positioned behind the front harness, which holds the original shafts of the loom. The front harness usually has from 4 to 10 shafts and the second harness can have up to 100 shafts. You can read about weaving damask and opphamta in Lillemor Johansson's book Damask and Opphamta.
What is a harnesk or single unit drawloom?
The single unit drawloom is made for weaving patterns which do not have a pattern repeat. Designs are made by pulling cords which raise individual units of heddles. The cords are held in place by wooden dowels located just above the beater. The new single unit drawloom is comfortable to use, with drawcords at eye level. This new system came about from the requests from the weavers to have the drawcords directly in front of the weaver. It is a much smaller frame and much easier to assemble and use. The overhead drawloom like in the photos in Lillemor Johanssons book, Damask and Opphamta, is the older style.
How are the drawcords made?
Texsolv drawcords come in black and white. They are made specifically for the drawloom. They come in black and white to make drawing them easier, as you can easily find the cords you need to pull.
I have a shaft drawloom. What do I need to order to make it a single unit drawloom?
First, list what parts you already have, such as heddles, weights, shaft bars and cord, to eliminate duplication. If you have a loom extension, it may possibly be used for the single unit drawloom, but the newer complete loom extension is better. The bridge for a single unit drawloom is different from the shaft drawloom and would need to be purchased.
What is a combination drawloom?
The combination drawloom is a combination of the shaft drawloom and a single unit drawloom, all in one drawloom bridge. It requires having both the single unit drawcords and the draw handles for the shafts. On the loom, the shaft bridge is above the vertical single unit frame so that they don't interfere with each other. The handles sit right above the drawcords. With a combination drawloom you can weave designs such as a border across the weave using the shaft draw and then with the single unit, make a different pattern or make the border pattern up the sides of the fabric.
On a combination drawloom I wove a linen runner that had a horizontal flower border pattern. This was woven with the draw handles. Then I wove the same flower patter on the two sides using the single unit draw. That makes a runner with a border of flowers all around, leaving the center plain.
Where do the single unit drawcords go on the bridge?
The single draw cords are set between the shaft drawcord handles and the ground shafts of the first harness. The shaft draw cords go to the top of the loom and then back to the shafts. The single unit draw cords are placed below the drawloom pattern shaft cords.
Can I make a combination drawloom from my shaft drawloom?
Yes, you can add a single unit frame to your shaft drawloom. You would then have a combination drawloom bridge.
WHAT KIND OF LOOM DO I NEED IF I ORDER A DRAWLOOM?
Drawlooms can be fitted to most Swedish looms such as the Glimakra looms. If you have another kind of Swedish loom, let us know what the model is and we can determine if you can add a drawloom. If you have a loom other than a Swedish loom or a hand made loom, you cannot fit these drawlooms to your loom.
What size loom is required to make a drawloom?
The drawloom is designed for many weaving widths of the standard sized Swedish looms. The smallest weaving width is 1oocm or 39.5 inches, 120cm or 47 inches. Next is 150cm (59 inches) and the largest is 160cm (64 inches). The price list shows these three sizes only. If your loom is not a standard size, look at the price for the next larger size. If your loom has a different weaving width, let us know what your loom is and the weaving width and we can inquire about a drawloom for your loom.
How many shafts does a loom need if a drawloom is added?
You can make a drawloom with a loom that has only four shafts, but it is better if it has a couple more.
WHAT IS A LOOM EXTENSION AND DO I NEED ONE?
The loom extension gives added depth to the loom. This depth is needed to give space for the second harness of shafts and to give sufficient depth to make a good shed. Long eyed heddles in the first harness reduce the size of the shed. This is compensated for my having longer heddles and greater loom depth. The new loom extension is an improvement over the older Glimakra extension as it has a "roof", which is an aid for warping the loom and hanging the shafts.
How far does the loom extension extend beyond the original loom frame?
The loom extension is adjustable and can extend the loom a small distance to over one meter (3 1/2 feet). It is easily adjustable and when shortened, the frame of the extension fits inside the original loom frame.
Can I use my old Glimakra loom extension if I order a drawloom?
According to the maker of the drawlooms, the old Glimakra extension was not built up to full height. A new loom extension would be needed as the shaft drawloom bridge partly rests on the extension." For those who order a new drawloom, you need to order the loom extension.
WHAT COUNTERMARCHES ARE AVAILABLE?
There are two types of countermarches available, the horizontal, which has two horizontal jacks for each shaft and the vertical, which uses pulleys and one center jack for each shaft. You can see how these two types work by looking at my diagrams in the loom tie up section of the web page, under weaving equipment. Click on loom tie ups.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of horizontal or vertical countermarch?
- The horizontal countermarch is more common and is less expensive. With the horizontal countermarch, you have a cord running down the center of the warp to the lower lamms. This cord does not interfere with the weaving and it gives a very direct pull from the treadles. There are no turns in the cords or any friction on the cords.
- The vertical countermarch is taller then the horizontal countermarch by about 8 inches. With the vertical countermarch, many of the cords pass over pulleys to go to the shafts and to the lamms. The cords to the lower lamms pass over pulleys and then down on the outside of the loom
- It is easy to reach everything on the horizontal countermarch, but for the vertical countermarch, you may need to stand on a small stool to reach to the center to tie up vertical jacks at the top of the loom. However, these cords can be attached to the countermarch before it is placed on top of the loom.
- The countermarch you already have may be compatible with a drawloom. If you want to inquire, tell me what kind of loom you have and what type of countermarch and I will let you know if it is compatible. The combination drawloom many need a vertical countermarch which is specially made for the drawloom.
- The vertical countermarch made for the combination drawloom has been designed for the drawloom.
Can my old countermarch be used for the drawloom?
The drawlooms fit on many different looms and some of the countermarches can be used with a new drawloom bridge. All countermarches rise above the loom frame to varying heights. If you have a brand name countermarch, send the name and we can determine if it will work with the drawloom. The Glimakra horizontal countermarch is compatible with the shaft drawloom bridge and the single unit or harness drawbridge. Some countermarches may not be compatible with a new drawloom, as they may interfere with the drawloom. The vertical countermarch must be specially made for the combination drawloom bridge. With even numbered ground shafts, the drall pulleys can be used instead of the countermarch for weaving damask.
Is it difficult to balance a countermarch loom?
If you have tied up a countermarch according to the instructions in the tie up section under weaving looms, you will not have any problems. One generally needs to tie up as many treadles as there are shafts tied up.
If you have a type of countermarch loom which has lamms all the same length, you may have to tie up more treadles than shafts to make it balance properly. In that case, you can tie up an extra treadle to all the lower lamms. This adds weight to balance the weight of the shafts.
CAN I TAKE A CLASS ON DRAWLOOM WEAVING?
Contact me about scheduling a drawloom class. I have a drawloom in my studio set up for students to work on. It is best to come for one full day as a minimum and more days will give you more time to weave and learn to warp and tie up the loom.
If I have never woven on a Swedish loom, what do I need to learn before weaving on a drawloom?
Your first project should be one using the floor loom only. This will teach you many things about the loom which are helpful to learn before setting up the drawloom. You will learn the loom warping and tie up process. You will also learn to use the Texsolv products, to use the hanging beater, foot rest, warp ratchets and the countermarch system. This is all helpful for learning to use the drawloom.
HOW DO I ORDER A DRAWLOOM?
What equipment is necessary for a drawloom?
- The loom extension.
- The drawloom bridge. You need to choose between the shaft, single unit or combination bridge. Each will have a different drawloom bridge. The tie up cord necessary for the shaft drawloom is included.
If you don't have them, these will have to be ordered:
- Long eyed heddles and long pattern heddles
- Damask shuttles
- Cord threader
- Countermarch
What decisions do I need to make to put in a drawloom order?
Determine if you want a shaft, single unit or a combination drawloom.
If you have questions about drawlooms, you can email or call me.
When you determine what you want contact us t discuss the loom size, type of countermarch, whether you need an extension, heddles, weights, video, shuttle or cord threader.
How many drawloom shafts should I order?
More drawloom shafts will give you more pattern possibilities. Lillemor Johanssons book Damask and Opphamta has patterns which show you what you can do with 10, 20 shafts or more. Which ever you choose, you can add to it. You can start with 20 shafts, and add 20 or 30 more to have 40 or 50. If you think you will someday want more than 50, order the larger bridge that can have up to 100 shafts.
Where is the drawloom made?
Glimakra makes looms in sizes 100cm (39.5 inches) 120cm (47 inches), 150cm (59 inches) and 160cm (63 inches) which can have drawlooms added to their frames. Older models of Glimakra and Andersson looms can also have drawlooms added to them.
There are two main types of drawlooms, the shaft drawloom and the single unit drawloom. The shaft drawloom comes in two sizes, one which can have up to 50 shafts and one that can have up to 100 shafts. A combination of the two types of drawlooms is also available.
What is the delivery time for a drawloom?
Drawlooms are generally in stock.
What is included in the drawloom video?
The video shows the warping of the shaft drawloom. The beaming of the warp, threading the shafts and tying up the lamms and treadles is the same for all drawloom types. It is very helpful to follow the video when setting up all three types of drawlooms.
WHAT IS THE COST OF A DRAWLOOM?
The prices for drawlooms are for 120cm (47 inch), 150cm (59 inch) and 160cm (64 inch) widths. If you need a drawloom for a different weaving width, please ask for prices.
PricesCombination drawloom
The price is determined by adding $660 to the small shaft drawloom price. If you have a need for many shafts, you can order the combination drawloom with the large drawbridge, which can hold up to 100 shafts on the widest looms. Texsolv drawcords are included with the combination drawloom. A vertical countermarch is necessary for the combination drawloom and it is best to order it with the drawloom to be sure it is compatible.
Drawlooms do not include the countermarch or the drawloom heddles. Prices for these are below.
The single unit drawloom includes 200 heddle weights and 200 draw cords.
The shaft drawloom includes tie up cord and 200 weights on the small bridge and 300 weights on the large bridge.
Extra shafts include handles. Tie up cord for 10 shafts.
Drawloom heddles and equipment
- Long eyed Texsolv heddles
- Pattern Heddles
- Texsolv drawcords (black and white) $130/100
- Cord threader $14.00
- Damask Shuttle, Glimakra $31
- Damask Shuttle, weighted $45.00
- Horizontal Countermarch , Ideal $420, 120cm $455, 150cm $495, 160cm $525
- Vertical Countermarch up to 120cm $595, 150cm $620, 160cm $650
- Weights $1.15 each
- Damask and Opphamta book by Lillemor Johansson call
Glimakra USA... 866-890-7314 or 406-442-0354
update 1/08